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them from thence to their respective habitations, some
of which are distant from Dartmouth nearly 12 miles
and all of them nearly four. This arrangement
will secure the provisions from the depredations and
casualties to which they have been liable at Preston,
and will also save the to Government the expense of
truckage, which has been hitherto allowed; and the
settlers in this quarter will not be obliged to carry
their rations farther than many other located else
where have already done.
4th That the black people at Hammonds Plains be allowed
to receive their provisions through the agency of Mr.
Johnson, as they have heretofore done; and those at
refugee hill, waterloo [?] farm on the Colchester Road,
and at other places from which returns shall be made,
be allowed to receive their rations at Halifax; but that
the black people who have no [illegible] settlement, or who
are in service at Halifax or elsewhere on wages be
not allowed rations. -
5th As the heads of families of the black people are too much
accustomed to leave their wives and children at the
settlement, and go themselves to Halifax or elsewhere
in search of employment or pleasure it is recommended
that the officiers of rations be instructed to withhold
the rations of such absentees and to issue only to the
wives and children remaining at the settlement , [illegible]
it shall be made appear that such absence is
casual and had no direct tendency to impede the
cultivation of the ground allotted, for the improve-
ments of which the provisions are chiefly allowed.
6 The Collector of the Customs to whom the faces
of the refugee black are generally known having
obligingly offered to grant certificates to such as are