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Halifax 4th March 1816

Sir
I beg leave to state to you, for his Excellencys information, that the Blacks, John Linch, Henry Brown, Charles Cephas, Adam Green, and Charles Wallis residing on my land, at Lake Porter, have declined moving onto the lands I have conveyed to them, to make them permanent settlers in the country; and that in consequence of such refusal I have, agreeably to his Excellencys instruction, withheld them supply since that period.
They have been informed, that those settled in Preston, under the direction of Mr Chambutorn, have, in addition, to their provisions, been supplyed with clothing, tools to work with, cooking utensils [illegible: &c for etc?], which determines them that those have better terms than they have - and, in fact whatever they are informed another have, and they do not receive the same becomes an source of uneasiness, and dissatisfaction.
They have cleared a large piece of land where when they now live which is fit for cultivation, and would, much rather remain there than to remove again upon a new place - while under my direction they, certainly, did very well; the last year they raised upwards of three hundred bushels of potatoes besides other vegetables, upon lands which the year before, was covered with a forest, which, I think, was far better