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I am informed by the Bishop of Nova Scotia [illegible] to 500: the disease is contagious in its nature, and has been more or less prevalent in this form, is a mild form for some time past. It may be [proper?] to observe that the disease has not arisen amongst the black people in consequence of any [derivations?] they may have suffered but has found its way amongst them as it has done into Halifax. And altho misery and want to a certain degree does exist amongst these poor people still I am informed by Dr. [Baxter?] staff assistant surgeon that most of them have blankets and in a few instances only is there a total want of clothing and that for food all of them have potatoes that their [illegible] are well made and that he saw sufficient