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Provincial Secretary's Office
Halifax 7th April 1848

Sir,
His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor having been pleased to appoint you a Commission to enquire, generally, into the state of the Public Establishment on Sable Island and the condition and value of any wrecked property on the Island, particularly the wreck of the Fulton, I beg to enclose your Commission and Instructions and have to request that you will proceed in the execution of this trust without any unnecessary delay.

I am Sir,
Your Obedient Servant
Joseph Howe

Mr. William Townsend