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Sable Island 10th Nov. 1853

Dear Sir

I am glad to find by your letter of 13th Oct.r that you have got a correct statement of the rate of Commissions paid to Mr Darby, and regret that the former Commissioners were so reluctent to give that statement, which if given five years ago would have saved you and I and others some trouble, and which they could have given in five minutes by referring to their books.

I am sorry that you should have imagined that I supposed you were endeavouring to increase your own emoluments, or any ones by reducing mine, such a thought never entered my mind. I am fully aware that such is not your manner of dealing. But I did feel annoyed at the wilful delay of the former Commissioners and thought they should have been dealt with more sharply. Will you please inform me in your next if the Board of Works will pay me what is due from Messrs Wallace and Miller or must I look to them for it.

The house built for our people is now finished and is a comfortable dwelling. It is 31 feet by 24 is 11 feet post in front and 7 in the back with a porch on the front. The wall are of 3 inch plank and the whole building is shingled
floor both up stairs and down. The house of refuge at the East End of the Island is 14 1/2 feet by 12, and 7 feet post, the floor and walls are of 3 inch plank and the whole house is shingled over. It has a door and a window in the South side and a Stone in the East End for the stove pipe to pass through, and last week we put a stove and fireworks, some bread, a lamp, oil and wick, an ax, a bucket, some soldiers coats and written directions in it. The Store commenced last winter is also finished. It is 50 feet by 28, and 12 feet post and is a substantial building, and we have 25 lbs shingles left and an abundance of spruce deals. The house on the South side is ready for Knocks family