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Sable Island July 10th, 1808
Sir after a long and anxious lookout towards Halifax for intelligence A.M. yesterday i had the honor to receive your letter by the hand of Lieut, Gould [?] and have deliberately considered the contents which i have obeyed to the best of my knowledge and judgment. all the people on the island have been in good health except for myself for many months i have suffered with a violent pain in my stomach and breast especially when I lye down what occasioned it i know not.all the stock of cattle at present are in excellent order old and young 29 in number lost two old cows in the fall and winter one a long time sick and the other kill in chase by wild horses being heavy with calf- a steer and an old cow was killed for beef for each family. the swine increase fast there is at present about 40 at the two settlements domesticated fed through the winter with seal meat and old horse beef not withstanding the great number of stallions and old mares which have been killed since the commencement of the settlement . the number if the wild horses are about 80 old and young they bread surprisingly lately being only 4 or 5 stallions with them. nine hogs have only run wild in my opinion there will be plenty of pork for the inhabitants on the island in future provided the hogs are fed [illegible] and sheltered through the winter and some grain or potatoes sent on the island to fatten them in the fall for salting being plenty of salt on the island. for three years i have not found any method in a variety of experiments to enlarge the growth of potatoes on this island they continue in general size of walnuts but are very good eating and have had plenty for both family for table and seed only what are planted at the two settlements are at present a promising appearance also the cabbage fresh & seed turnips red beets indian corn thrive well being crop fenced in order to shield the tender blades from the south blasts of wind and sand drifts. our provisions was near all expended bread and small stores especially as one vessel has been stranded on the island since the dolphin Schooner. i have left the people employed collecting drift and wreck with the carts oxen and hope to see if there is sufficient for the Island [[?]] another year & believe their in plenty for there family thirty tons of hay should be made for the