the 5th earl's first estate manager, james williams, though arriving late on the 'oughton', living in charlottetown, was quick to take to his own interests. williams from the outset, continual drawing upon selkirk's account, failed to report of his work, and by july 1806, offered selkirk no return on his lands, in land sales, in rents or from commerce. worried about the finances, and the progress of his settlement, even late into 1809, with large arrears of advances to settlers, as well as returns from sales of land and timber, for paying of the his quit-rents, selkirk had received no reports. it is suggested selkirk had thought to give up on the island, though not immediately prepared to replace williams, as he had to yet receive a report of his island accounts, considering if possible to sell his holdings. it was not until may 1815, that an island court ordered an 'attachment' on williams, that was not to be followed up, selkirk winning in court but never recovering assets, and monies lost to his estate manager.