Auckland, July 24, 1861. Donald McLean, Esqr. My Dear Sir, As I am about to leave town I write this to say goodbye for the present. I shall look with much interest, not to say anxiety, to the result of the endeavours now supposed to be making by the Government to bring about a peacefull state of things with the Natives, endeavours which I most sincerely hope will be successfull. Though I fear the contrary - success would indeed be a great triumph. I feel that we are closely approaching the critical point of time on which the fate of both the native race, and future prospects of the Colony depend, and as a man whose lot is cast as a man of the country I look on with deep interest. know what my political opinions are and what my idea of the best mode of action to adopt. You know I am a "peace at any price" man, even the price of would I pay for a peace founded on and secured by the supremacy of the Crown. Anything else is a delusion, and the price to be paid is war. I do not for an instant lose sight of the fact that war means a desperate and long continued struggle with the whole of the natives south of Auckland - a struggle in which we shall suffer much, and in the course of which we shall require every man, and gun, and shilling, that we can possibly raise by every means, this is the price at which we must purchase and the Queens supremacy in New Zealand - pass over the next year and the opportunity may never recur again, events in Europe may prevent troops being sent us even though our need be greater than it is now, and as for the theories held by some of governing the natives by means of natives and giving them a voice in the legislature etc. etc. I look upon it as a dream, such would only add still more to the natural conceit of the native and render him absolutely unmanageable - I need only point to the Kings flag flying at Waikato and the title of "King" assumed by a native as a pretty good explanation and example of native which is in our relations with them the dangerous point in their character - as for the Kings movement being the result of a wish amongst the natives for 'law and order' it is simply noncence to say so. The natives themselves know better, if they for law and order, the Government could have long ago established it amongst them - and if the Government have not established law in Waikato in particular it is because they themselves have resisted it. The sort of law the natives want when they condecend to talk of law, is a one sided law, a law which is a respecter of persons, a law to do their bidding - not a law which is as it should be, an irresistable a crushing engine of destruction to its opposers, but a guardian angel to the peacefull and to those who sit under its protection willingly - this is law, and this is what the native abhors, as indeed all half civilised peoples do, and must, for such is mans nature. I therefore believe, and say, that the price to be paid for the establishment of law and its consequent is I therefore declare myself to be a "peace at man". I am off to the bush to cultivate cabbages, loyalty, and the arts of peace, where I hope I may remain undisturbed - and as I have told you before I wont leave my rustic occupations for a trifle. If I have a piece of work offered me of sufficient magnitude to put me on my mettle, I will , otherwise there are nice shady trees to sleep under at 'Onoke'. Hoeano taku korero ki a koe e te Makarini, hikono! Ka haere nei ahau kei raro ki toku kainga - hikona kia toa! hikona e kara ma kia hei tangata tinihanga te hoa "e runga timihanga e raro rawakore". Ka to hoa hono F. E. Maning.