Waitotara 2nd. Dec. 1847. My dear Maclean, Yours of the 23rd. Nov. I recd. by Law - I am much obliged to you for the trouble you have taken in giving advice as to my best way of proceeding in my tickleish position I can assure that I estimate your friendship more and more than I can here express - I dont think I will trouble either you or his Excellency any further at present about this place, for I have made up my mind either to go back to my old run if their is anything like a permanent peace made with these fellows, or if not, to go farther to the Northward until I can get a good run for my cattle where there will be no native plantations in my way - for I find here that my cattle can get to several of their plantations notwithstanding the assurances the natives gave me, when I first consented to remain here, viz. that there were none that the cattle could possibly get to - I have taxed them with the falsehood and they say in excuse that they had no idea that the cattle would roam so wide - this I can well believe for my cattle certainly do stray very wide owing to the badness of the feed, and the natives wont allow me burn off any of the old covers for fear of destroying their pigs, otherwise I might have plenty of feed in the immediate neighbourhood - I have had no with any of them I manage to get along with them very well even those into whose plantations my cattle have been begaved with the greatest degree of forbearance Abraham still continues very friendly, he is now in Wellington, he went to see Governor Ayre I told him some days before he started that I intended going back to Wanganui as soon as there was a peace made, I think that has been greatly the cause of his going, for fear that the Governor should think that it was his, or his people's unkindness that had driven me back - I told Abraham my reasons for not wishing to remain here and at the same time told him that the natives were all very good, that I had no fault to find with them. In the event of my leaving this place, which I think is more than probable, I don't anticipate any great difficulty in settling into them, for, when after a good deal of persuation, I consented to remain here, I never, nor did they, say a word about payment of any sort - and tho' I have since told them that I would pay them for my cattle grazing here, I never once muted how much I would give farther than saying that I would give them the same as the pakehas at the Wairarapa were giving to the Maoris then. The Governor is expected soon in Wanganui I shall then be able to judge whether it will be safe to go back there so soon, if not, I will speak to him on the propriety of my taking a run down in this direction on lease. You ask me If I have any heifers for sale - I have none that I wish to dispose of - but the black mare you can can have if you like for £30 - MacGregor offered me £25 yesterday morning and I asked £35. I think it is probable we would have come to terms if I hadn't recd. your letter - She is now eight years old - I have had her five years and she was three when I bought her. I will warrant her free of vice and sound in wind and limbs - if I was three stones lighter than I am (for you must know that I ride now close on fifteen stone) I wouldn't part with her for any money for I never a nicer creature - I have been riding her a good deal lately for she isn't in foal this season - let me know soon whether you will take her, as I may otherwise dispose of her for I want to buy a mare that will throw heavier stock if you like you can have her yearling colt at £20 he is a regular beauty and strong of his age - far before what 'Tom Brown' was at his age. He is the get of my old horse "Jack" he is by far the handsomest foal the Black mare has ever had - Dr. and Mrs. Wilson are here tonight on their way to N. Plymouth-Capt. and Mrs. Campbell will miss them sadly I don't know what on earth the Capt will do now for a gossip he has none left of the old hands but Mr. King and he is as you know a in every sense of the word. I hope "Jamie Watt" will please Capt. King, tell him that in two years hence I will sell him "Dick Taylor" who is at least fifty per cent better than "Jamie Watt" - Write soon and I remain My dear Maclean Yours sincerely aJno. Cameron.