ON SABLE ISLAND. 27 



of those in authority. As early as 1836 they found it necessary to make an investigation, with 

 the result of acquitting him of blame. Rumours, however, still prevailed and as years passed 

 became more clamant and assumed more definite form. In the year 1848, responsible 

 government was estalilished and a reform government came into power. The energy of 

 Mr. Howe infused a new life into every department of public affairs. Light was being 

 thrown into obscure corners, sleepy officials were being awakened to new activity, and 

 abuses which had been sanctioned by time and usage were being exposed and rectified. By 

 this time the allegations regarding the state of things on Sable Island were so widespread 

 and so positive as to urgently call for investigation. 



The government first sent Capt. W. T. Townshend to examine into the state of matters 

 on the island. His report does not indicate any want of efficiency in the service, but brought 

 out a number of matters that led to the appointment of a committee of the executive council 

 to make a thorough investigation into the whole condition of the establishment. At the 

 outset of their inquiries they were met by the palpable fact that the superintendent and the 

 commissioners, not one of whom had ever visited the island, were on such terms that it was 

 impossilde for the two to work in harmony, and that his relations with at least some of his 

 subordinates were not happy. On other matters they entered into a full investigation, many 

 witnesses being examined. It is unnecessary at this date to enter into details of their 

 incpiiries. It is sufficient to say that the government came to the conclusion that a change 

 was necessary. The old commissioners were superseded and soon after the management of 

 the institution was placed uiuler the charge of the Board of Works. Capt. Darby was 

 discharged, and left the island in Kovember, 1848, after having been eighteen years in 

 charge. 



One other matter attracted attention at this time which must be referred to as an 

 addition to the tales of horror of whicli this island has been the scene. At that time there 

 was no lunatic asylum in the province, and indeed institutions for the insane, which 

 employed kindness in the treatment of this unfortunate class, were only beginning to be 

 established anywhere. Everywhere they were treated with a brutality that is now scarcely 

 credible. For some time there had been rumours of such being sent by friends in Nova 

 Scotia to Sable Island, where they were detained, and treated either with neglect or cruelty. 

 When therefore Capt. Townshend was sent down he was instructed to make inquiry into the 

 truth of these allegations, and particularly whether any were detained contrary to their will. 

 He found two instances in which insane persons had been sent to the island, and remained 

 there for a time, who were now removed. But he found one who had been on the island for 

 seventeen years. He was a man of respectable family, heir to some property, and his 

 guardians of the highest standing in the community. According to the report of parties on 

 the island, he was for the first ten years extremely violent and troublesome, so that very 

 harsh measures had to be adopted toward him, but for the last four years he had been 

 quiet, inofifensive and useful, aiul was now employed carrying wood and water, and otherwise 

 doing the drudgery of the kitchen. Capt. Townshend found him in such a state of helpless and 

 hopeless idiocy as to be unable to give an intelligent answer to the question whether he was 

 detained on the island against his will. And yet he learned that when this man was sent 

 to the island, the commissioners had received a note from the administrator of the govern- 

 ment, authorizing them to permit him to proceed to the island and remain there in the 

 capacity o{ schoolmaster or any other capacity that might be agreed on. 



