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when I made sail for Arichat to meet the Hon'l Attorney General who is [word] for Halifax.
While on the coast of Cape Breton I was told by Mr McKeen (collector of Light Duty in the Srt of Canso) that he had seen and boarded several American Mackarel [sic] fishermen who were armed to resist any Colonial force that may attempt to arrest them for taking fish within the limits and further that they were determined to take Mackarel [sic] wherever they could find them whether within the limits or otherwise and there are others who trust altogether to save themselves from being taken.
And Sir with all the above information I having seen nearly two hundred rebels bound to catch Mackarel [sic] I have thought it proper to make the above statement to you hoping it may have the effect of