politically astute, or prompted by douse, perhaps intending to pre-empt the findings in the report of the 1860 land commissioners' court, dunbar douglas, offered his holdings to the island, embracing parts of lots 53, 57, 58, 59, 60 and lot 62, containing 62,059 acres, at a very reasonable rate, though much less than in the 'public sale' of the worrell estate. sold 'out and out' dunbar got clear of it all, the bad land as well as the good, selling the 'unproductive land' on which he could not collect rent, but must pay quit-rents. with the sale he was done with keeping on an agent, to collect small sums to be paid in a period extending for 10 to 20 more years, while perhaps continuing to not see profit from other commercial engagements. not knowing if his arrears of quit-rent of £12,000 to £14,000, were remitted or to be remitted, and forgiven, the offer was eagerly embraced and a large and valuable tract of 'province' became public property at the moderate cost of 6,586 17s 8d sterling or 9,880£ 6s 6d currency. the purchase described as "this fortunate purchase has been of immense service to that section of the country; brightening the hopes, and strengthening the energies of all; and pointing the way to the best solution of the land question in sections similarly situated."