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privilege from me I dont complain, because I do not think either Mr Darby, me, or any other who may hold the situation has any more right to the whole of the berries than to any other commodity the Island may produce, unless stipulated for. I am now endeavouring to get 20 Bbls ready to go off the first opportunity to the Commissioners, and merely mention this to you that you and your friends may know where to get a supply for yourselves. And I shall claim the right of sending a few others to my relatives.

When Mr Darby went off he took the articles of agreement with the men with him and I wrote the Comm.rs at the same time informing them of it. And again wrote them in the spring about them, and when they were here I spoke to them on the subject but they are yet withheld and there is not a man here serving under a written agreement which I consider to be a very loose way of doing business. I am now going to mention it to them again as it is really necessary for me to have a set for the men to sign in order that there may be a fair understanding between all parties, for as yet I only know by report how the men are hired and know nothing of the conditions of agreement between the Commissioners and them.

With feelings of gratitude for the situation I now hold and many thanks for the Notaries Commission forwarded last trip of the "Daring" I am Dear Sir
Your Obedient Servant
M.D. McKenna

[address at lower left]
Hon Joseph Howe
Halifax