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[at upper right corner] 36 [within a circle]

Halifax 24th July 1804

Sir
It is with much pleasure I enclose to you the unanimous resolution of the House of Assembly concerning the high sense the Govrn entertains of your great exertions last winter on the Island of Sable & I have no doubt it will afford you satisfaction to be informed that it was the wish of the House if it could have been effected by contributing to repair the loss you sustained to have given you a more solid though not more honourable proof of its approbation.
The means which the establishment on that Island has furnished for the preservation of your life & the lives of so many others has afforded to the House of Assembly the highest satisfaction & has operated much to continue the expence of an establishment so well calculated to relieve our fellow creatures when in situations of all others the most distressing.
Permit me to take this opportunity to express to you my congratulations on yr fortunate escape accompanied with my sincere wish that you may live long to serve your King & Country with the same spirit & resolution you have manifested on this occasion
I am
Sir
With Great respect
Yr very Obedt Hum Servt
Lieut Henry Torrens
of
His Majesty's 29th Regt of Foot
Halifax