Rose Inn. River Hutt Sunday morning. Dear Maclean, I have your dateless letter, I am very much annoyed with myself for nit giving you a clue to my whereabouts while in Town, as I was extremely anxious to impart to you the present state of the native mind on the subject of purchase, as it seems very important that an advantage should be taken of the differences which exist at present among the different families. That makes the step more important and urgent is the publicity which has been made of the matter. I need not point out to you the imprudence of such reports, causing a sudden fusion of parties, thereby creating obstacles in the way of a sale, which, with ordinary tact, under existing circumstances, might have been easily effected; while all the illegal squatters are most anxious that the gallery should immediately pass into the hands of the Government. Still, there is such an itching on the part of some of the set, to be feeling the pulse of the natives on the subject, that fresh rows and fresh difficulties are daily arising. I hope you will be able to understand me; as I have written hurriedly, and in all the babel of a public room. Yours etc. (Signed) J. Purvis Russell. To:- D. Maclean Esq.