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

Nov 29th

The Daring has been about the Island since the night before last the winds have been high and frost severe. We have it moderate this morning and are landing & shipping as fast as possible. And if the day continues fine the Daring will move to the foot of the lake and take on board Jackson and family, but if otherwise she will leave as soon as we get the cranberries &c all on board and he will have to remain where he is till spring. I enclose memorandum of his time &c so that if he gets on board you can settle with him. Graham went off last time and Morash goes now. I want no more hands this winter but will want 3 or 4 in the spring and hope you will then be able to send me some [underlined: young active Boatmen.] The young horse is still running out but I intend taking him in as soon as he will allow us to put our hands on him. I shall kill some of the fat cattle tomorrow and winter the rest over, we have an abundance of hay. The Big hog I suppose must live and die here he will be too old to take away after this. The cooking stove sent in October is a first rate article and suits every purpose.

Please think of us through the winter and send the Daring to see after us.

In haste
Your Obedient Servant
M.D. McKenna

[address at lower left]
Hon H Bell
Chairman of the Board of Works
Halifax