August 16th. 1869. My Dear McLean, When I last had the pleasure of meeting you you more than hinted at certain matters and things which you would like me to undertake to do in the event of it appearing desirable such things should be done. I expressed my willingness to serve you on condition that I myself should become satsified that the action pointed o by you had become advisable and also clearly practicable to my own mind. I am not a quick thinker and never make up my mind on any matters involving serious results without deliberately thinking the subject out by myself, I have since I saw you thought very carefully on the principal subject of our conversation and have satisfied myself that under certain not improbable contingencies the measure would be practicable and probably very beneficial, but before thinking of undertaking it I would have to be satisfied in my own mind before hand that all the conditions necessary to success as far as I could forsee them had been fulfilled, and that nothing remained but prudent and resolute action. I have in my time in a private way effected some very difficult matters, but I took time and thought for my allies and trusted to my own opinion solely though contradicted, or doubted, by everyone else, and I declare I feel I should be perfectly helpless unless acting on a plan which I had convinced myself could be made successful by myself, and on my own calculating. The reason I have never endeavoured to take any public position, especially in regard to native affairs, may be gathered from what I have said, under our present form of Government there are too many minds to be consulted and reconciled before action can be taken, and that action liable to be crossed and defeated at any time by parties not capable of fully appreciating the consideration on which it may have been based, and these things make me very reluctant to take any part in hurly burly of public affairs, however as we think circums tances may arise under which my adherence might be of service to , though not perhaps so much service as you pay me the compliment to think, I shall when those circumstances do arise, should I then be in. a position to do you service, and see a fair chance of successfull action take heart and put my little weight in your side of the scale, provided you are of the same mind I understood you to be in the other day. Before I leave Wellington I shall be glad to see you once more to see if we can bring the matters we have talked of to some serious and definite conclusion. I am Yours sincerely, F.E. Maning.