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In conclusion I beg earnestly to advise that the former commissioners be requested by the proper authorities to settle their accts with the people of the Island without further delay. Busby, who was in Halifax four months last spring and summer complains that he could not get a penny of wreck money from them though he asked for it again and again. I have been so much annoyed about wreck money as it is termed that I have many times wished that it had never been allowed, but since the rules of the Establishment allow it the people should get it. I gave each man his certificate in June 1852 and ^in July I got a letter from Mr. Duckett asking me to furnish them again as some had got mislaid, and I then sent him a list of all the vessels wrecked here from the time that I came to the Island to the time of the change of Commr.s with the name of every man that worked at each wrecked, and yet they have not settled with them all. I wish that Jackson may be settled with at once, that is if he will settle according to the statement I make, but you need not and I beg you may not allow yourself to be forced to settle as he may please to demand if different from my statement, for if you allow him to take an advantage of you you may rely on it that others will follow his example. He is the sort of character that he would willingly throw away a pound or two in hope of forcing you into his terms or that he might have it to say that he had sued the Commissioners of Sable Island or the Chairman of the Board of Works even if he lost the suit, yet you may with safety resist him if he attempt to force you beyond the statement I give. I have written this lengthy letter in the hope of it being the last I shall ever have to write respecting the unsettled accts between the former Commissioners and the people of the Island. I am really tired of the grumbling and discontent occassioned by the excessive delay and think you must be getting tired of it too, altho you hear but little of it to what I do.

I am
Your Obedient Servant
M.D. McKenna
Superintendant
of Sable Island

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