Exchange Jan. 31 1861. Donald McLean, Esq. Auckland. My dear Sir, I hasten to keep my word - though at the same time I feel I accept a great responsibility in offering my advice respecting the course to be pursued in the proposed excursion to the north. However, I am in for it, and as I believe after all that you are quite able to overrule any blunders I may make, here goes - I would advise first a call at the Bay of Islands - as to proceedings there is your affair, they do not belong to my and drink too much rum for me to acknowledge the rogues. Thence to Mongonui see chiefs there - send messengers before you to to say you are coming - take (in address to natives) loyalty as granted a matter quite understood - from Ahipara to an easy day's journey - enquire for Te Whare Mate alias te Anga. Win him he is somewhat of a pakeha but proud as a native chief - from Whangape to the Tai Paapahia and te Hira Ngaropo at Hokianga (calling if asked at an intermediate place at Mata Mata - the residence of Wiremu Paapahia son of defunct great defunct paapahia a man of no great force or respectability of character but a chief by birth inferior however to and Te Hira Ngarope.) These two last are sure friends and men of influence and it would be well and in a private manner to inform them that the Governor trusts them - from their place to Young's Point on if invited to the settlement of Moetara - he is a knowing sharp politician takes great credit for being a friend of the Pakeha all of which is true from policy - he things ours is the best side for himself - he is a clever fellow - very good manners and very much of the chief - when at his place I would a pointed compliment to a certain called te Hikutu who will most probably visit you at Pakanae - they were the first to join Walker last war and one of their principal chiefs was killed fighting on our side at Waikare in the Bay of Islands his name was Hauraki a small touch of oratory mentioning him by name will be a good stroke. From Pakanae (Rangatira Place) to Herd's Point a central situation to meet all the people of upper Hokianga where you would perhaps have to stay a night - from thence to Waima the residence of Adam Clarke a very considerable Chief brother in law to Hirogi the opstreperous to this man you must talk good pakeha sense - he is far advanced in true notions of civilization and owner of considerable property - Moses Tarae will be with him and plays second pedal and is a very boasting and conceited a Queen's man - but no great things in real fact - he is however to be allowed to believe himself somebody - from Waimea to the Bay of Islands - via Kaikope and Ohuriri chiefs of which places will meet you at their own settlements they are all mere Maoris of the Kai Wakawa genus and so you know how to deal with them. You have made me an authority or Maori Doctor so I shall say that the of address to natives on journey should be as follows - perfect confidence in their loyalty and in the perfect safety of the pakehas their present friends who live amongst them - some signs of regret for the war being necessary to acknowledge the pluck of the Maori, but regret that his bravery etc. will only in this wrong cause lead them into a scrape etc. I have left out the district of Hongi this will no doubt vex him - but on the other hand it will please our friends proportionately who are the majority - but this of course I only submit (as all the rest) to your better judgement. If you choose to make the strong doubly strong on the right side you can say to Te Tai and Rangatira that one F.E.M. has given the Governor a hint as to who is the loyal object and that I say Ngapapi at Hokianga and te Rarawa in toto are first rate chaps. You will perceive I have not said anything of a place called Onoke, the residence of the aforesaid F.E.M. and have cunningly shoved it into the middle of a days journey in hopes that by some blessed coincidence of wind and weather it will have to be passed by without notice. The cleveraat has read of one Dame Balderstone, and has some idea of adopting his plan of burning down the castle to get him out of the awful dilemma of having to try to do the civilized thing in honour of Her Majesty's representative - if he could eat either money or timber said F.E.M. could entertain him but under existing circumstances is au dessespoir/ Pray excuse haste and exchange penance with and believe me, Yours faithfully, F.E. Maning. P.S. The rout from Pakanae Rangatira Place to Herds Point will be by water the natives will find baots - from Herds Point to Wai ma Adam Clarke's place also by water boats to be had at Herds Point from Europeans and natives there will be no difficulty on this head. F.E.M.