I always thought that Alex was writing you all particulars therefore as he never would tell me any thing as regards busness of any kind I was left groveling in the dark, only what by chance times I might hear from others. Ever since that affair of the money between him & McDonald I could never get to know any of his transactions which made me very miserable and discontented to be living at a place and striving to keep accounts and things correct and could not get even from a brother the proper state for doing so that was my reason for not corresponding with you. I had my mind made up to leave the place and if my wife had not come out when she did I would had written you to that effect as I could no longer remain seeing things as they were after doing. I will not say any more on that head till I will see you then we will talk matters over. I am sorry you are displeased at me going among the Maories about the plains. Indeed my dear Donald I did with the best possible feelings and I was well awair it was against the law but I considered my having no place and every one round ready to grasp at the plains that if I could manage to retain them in my name it would not at all effect you in any way but would be a desided benefit to us all that eigher [either] me or Alexander could retain them. The natives think that Alex is not coming back and all I can say to them will scarcley make them believe