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December 1847

Tuesday 28th
Commences with the wind a calm but cold, I sent one hand to the West end, the rest of the People collecting in the Horses, repairing the Fitters of some, and turning others loose, for the winter. this day ends with the wind and weather the same;
Wednesday 29th
Commences with the wind WNW, and fine weather, the people employed Variously some hands hunting an Owl to Shoot him some fixing their Horses, some hauling wood, this day ends with the wind and weather the same;
Thursday 30th
Commences with the wind West and fine weather, very moderate. the people employed Collecting Fire Wood, this day ends with the wind and weather the same;
Friday 31st
Commences with the wind West and fine moderate weather, the people employed as yesterday, this day ends with the wind and weather the same;
This ends the year 1847, And I have had a rather Troublesome and Unhappy year of it, which I attribute wholly to the Mifguided [Conduct with line through it] Policy [above Conduct] of the Commissioners. Two men have given us notice to leave the Island as soon as their times are up in March & April, and I expect that Two other Men will leave when their Times are up in about May. The labour that was performed in the saving the Levants Materials, and the Perilous Manner in which our Men worked that was in the Boats, was enough to Terrify any Man of Common Feelings, and the Extra Remuneration being but 2 of where in they should have had, at least £6-5- each Mans Share Estimating the Nett Proceeds of the Property Saved at £1000; Men can not, nor will not work at such work, at such a Rate. It is Difficult to get good Men, and we cannot keep them when we have them. And the Paltry Conduct of the Commissioners is the Cause of it, they will not Remunerate Men, for this Extra, most Perilous Service, as they should be, but often Cavil, and endeavour to throw unnefsecary Impediments in the way of the People getting their ordinary wages, even after the Service has been Faithfully,