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Sable Island 30th June 1853

Dear Sir

Mr Gifford of Provincetown U S has been here since the 18th in the Sch.rs "Smith Tuttle" and "President Washington" working at the wreck of the "Milo" and not having got a load of Iron as he expected he would like to get a load of horses, and as I can do nothing in the way without instructions from you he now proceeds to Halifax to see if he can arrange with you for a cargo of them. If you have not agreed with any one to take them off at the proper season I think it would be better to dispose of them here than run the risk of shipping them late in the season or perhaps not at all. If you determine on selling them here I wish the prices to be fixed at Halifax and they should be valued according to age &c. Say a full grown horse or mare @£__. A mare with a spring foal @£__. A two year old @__, and a yearling @£__. And it should be clearly understood whether they are to be an average lot or a picked lot. And I shall take your instructions for my guide let the purchaser be who he may. There has nothing new happened here since the Daring left on the 17th.

Our Crop, Stock &c look exceedingly well.

I am your Obedient Servant.
M.D. McKenna

[address at lower left]
Hon. Hugh Bell
Chairman Board of Works
Halifax