General Soarin,

Know first that you have my sincerest condolences. The position of Grand Marshal belongs rightly to you, not to that traitor Rainbow Dash. I and the other governors protested her appointment as strongly as we could, but her majesty was unwavering. She is thoroughly convinced of Dash's loyalty. I fear for my Princess' life, but I must abdicate to her wisdom. If she believes that Dash can be trusted, then she must have her reasons.

A shame, sugar cube; you would've looked so dashing in the uniform of a Grand Marshal.

Things are going well here in Appleoosa. The mining operations have picked up considerable steam since we received the latest shipment of Diamond Dogs you sent us. Luna willing, you will have their paltry rebellion crushed in no time at all and we will be able to triple our production. The Dogs are natural miners and seem happiest when allowed to dig to their heart's content. So much so that they almost forget that they now have the same rights and privileges as the other prisoners.

Which is to say none at all.

The prisoners themselves could learn a thing or two from the Dogs. It seems that my threats of sending them to Sweet Apple Acres are losing their sting. I have a meeting later today with my overseers about possible alternative threats. That sicko Whiplash and his brothers keep campaigning for the return of flaying, but the last time we tried that the Buffaloes damn near rebelled.

The damnable Buffaloes.

I will never understand Her Majesty sometimes. Why do we not simply do with the Buffaloes as we're doing with the Diamond Dogs? Their intelligence is not that much greater after all.

And now she has ordered me to marry one.

Little Strong Heart and I have never seen eye to eye on anything, and yet Princess Luna has decreed that a union between us would solidify relations between our kind. What value can be found in an alliance with Buffaloes? The Griffons and Minotaurs I understand, but the reasoning for becoming bedfellows with bison is beyond me.

I know, in her wisdom, she knows my heart belongs to another. I cannot help but feel that her forcing me into a loveless marriage is some form of cruel joke on her part. I wonder, if you could speak to her...

Forgive me, I know you have greater thoughts weighing you down these days.

It appears I must end this letter rather quickly. My assistant has just informed me that another gem storage building has been set on fire. I have no doubt that those responsible are members of that damn New Dawn resistance group. They've really become bolder since the execution.

Perhaps I'll let Whiplash have some fun where the Buffalo can't see.

Yours always,

Braeburn Apple,

Governor of Appleloosa and Her Surrounding Lands

Archivist Note: History tends to look on Governor Braeburn less harshly than some other members of the New Lunar Republic. In truth, he was the second choice for Governor after the former sheriff, Silver Star, was discovered to be an informant for the fledgling New Dawn. After Silver Star's hasty trial and execution, Braeburn was chosen by Luna because of his familial connections to the Apple Family, trusting that the ponies of the area would be more willing to serve if somepony from a family they respected was in charge.

Braeburn was largely viewed as a simpleton with slightly racist tendencies and a surprisingly soft heart. For example, his personal journal includes omissions that he gave the more sinister of his staff large portions of his personal salary so they would not physically harm the prisoners. It would appear that his talk of flaying in this letter is simply "tough talk," probably to impress the subject of his heart's desire.

By war's end, when he fled to Zebrica with several other war criminals, he apparently trusted Little Strong Heart enough to name her Governor in his stead. His last written message to his wife included an admission that perhaps he had judged the Buffalo too harshly and instructions for her to fight to the last soldier.

There are no records of his reaction when he learned of her unconditional surrender the very next day.