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English
Taranaki, New Plymouth, 17 Novr., 1846. My dear Sir, The Policeman I sent to Wanganui has returned this evening and as the intelligence he brings from there accords so fully with what I have already reported it may be unnecessary to write a further despatch on the subject - The bold and determined course pursued by the friendly natives towards the insurgents which I may I suppose term them, from being under the rebel chief Te Karumu, cannot be too highly appreciated nor have their good services been overlooked by the settlers who notwithstanding the exhausted state of their funds provided a sumptuous feast for their benefactors which they in reality provd to be - They kept night watches on the houses of the settlers each night the party remained at the settlement, and assured them at the same time, that an injury to their Europeans would be revenged by them, so that the weaker party with all their suspicions designs, considered it most advisable to withdraw themselves. The evil that the Karumu who has escaped from Rangihaeata's camp will endeavor to dessiminate as far as his influence extends will I fear have a serious tendency to injure the progress of the Wanganui settlement - It is also reported, that there is considerable sympathy amongst the interior tribes towards the Rauparaha and that Iwikau the Taupo Chief is endeavoring to collect a force to join Rangihaeata. There are symptoms of a similar disposition amongst the disaffected Waikatos most of whom claim some connection with the rebellious tribes but especially with the old chief Rauparaha. It is evident that the excited feelings of the natives have not subsided in the slightest as yet - and it is also a bad sign to see the rebel Chief retain such influence as to find so many volunteers for his service he is at present on the Manawatu River and has threatened the settlers living in this vicinity if they did not leave they might rely that some of the parties who he expected to reinforce him would drive them off or entirely destroy them - Such appears to be the present state of affairs at the south which I freely communicate in case you may not have otherways heard them, and the people there as well as ourselves are daily looking forward with solicitous anxiety to the Governors arrival in the hope he may have further success in restoring peace indeed I may say that we are in daily anticipation either of seeing him or hearing from Auckland. Waitara a Chief from Mokau, has just arrived and reports all quiet in that direction, he intends going to Auckland to see about his vessel which I am glad to hear is to be restored him. The Police Force are doing pretty well two of them I have fined for drunkeness but one from the good conduct of the man I have since remitted, since then there has been no repetition of a similar kind. The country and crops look well and what we principally want for now is more extent of territory and land to cultivate. We do not receive any Govt. Gazettes so we are entirely unacquainted with the notices they contain excepting as we see them in the local papers by which I noticed an intimation that all accs. are to be furnished monthly mine are ready to send but it may be as well not to furnish them till there is an answer to those already sent, and I suppose furnishing to Capt. King is the same as sending them on to Auckland as he acts as sub Treasurer. I remain, Dear Sir, Yours very truly, Signed, D. McLean.To Dr. Sinclair.

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