Letter from Sir George Grey to Donald McLean Esq. dated 17th. September 1853. Otaki Wellington 17th. September 1853. My dear McLean, I have just received your private and public letters, dated the 14th. inst. I am very glad you are progressing so well. You will, before this, have heard that you are authorised to engage Captain Smith's services; and that I have authorised you immediately to go to the extent of £5,000 in purchasing, or paying the first instalments for lands in the Wairarapa; and in the meantime keeping another £3,000 for Te Hapuku, making £8,000 in all. But do not go further than this until you hear again from me. You are in the meantime keeping me well advised of your probable wants. To the amount of this £5,000, you can draw whenever you like. The Ngatiraukawa have been behaving very badly about Waikanae, threatening to turn the Ngatiawa off the land by force. They came up to present an address to me, but I refused to receive it, until they conducted themselves better. This has covered them with shame, and they hardly know what to do to make amends for their conduct. It is very disheartening to see men for whom one has done so much, conduct themselves so badly. Thompson behaved, I fear, with great duplicity, in this business. I shall probably go on to Whanganui upon Monday, and reach Wellington next Saturday, if you require anything from me. Pray continue to work as well and as resolutely as you have hitherto done. faithfully yours (Signed) G. Grey. To:- Donald McLean Esq. To be forwarded with as little delay as practicable.