note: transcription publicly contributed - please contact us with comments, errors or omisions

observed on the South beach where the principal pieces of the wreck of the Gustave 1st lies, and when our men went there the next morning found that some persons had been cutting out copper bolts and spikes by the light of a lantern. The parties are unknown but from circumstances I suspect they were the above mentioned Le Have crew.

I find it difficult to get proofs on these matters as those who can give it are fearful of having to attend at courts and be subjected to expenses and loss of time and of getting the dislike of the offenders and their friends. And as they all have to call at Halifax I have taken no affidavits but leave the whole matter to be dealt with there, when I am satisfied that the persons who I have named when put on their oaths will give such evidence as will convict the offenders. The Liverpool vesels have left this and gone to the Northward. The Le Have vesel is still here and I hope yet to find out her name.

Your Obedient humble servant
M.D. McKenna
Superintendant
of Sable Island

[address at lower left]
To The Honourable
The Provincial Secretary
Halifax