SD905. Edward Barrett to Edward Moulton-Barrett (father)
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 336 (in part).
Oxford Estate
Trelawny Jamaica
May 1st 1838
My Kind Dear Master
Your esteemed favour of the 4th Jany last duly came to hand and I want words to express the deep Sense of Gratitude and happiness it afforded me to find that our Dear Master feel Such a lively interest in the welfare of his apprentices[.] I am proud to think the report of matters here which I wrote you has been So Satisfactory[.] I am glad to say that every thing is going on well and with the Blessing of God will Continue[.] I am quite overpowered with Masters Kindness in Sending me Westly Testament[.]
I am also happy to say We are making good Produce and in Proportion to any of our Neighbours– With regard to the Well we have discovered a Spot which we are Certain we will find water in We require only the assistance of a skilful Person and Necessary Tools to enable us to accomplish it– The People here wishes me to present them to you and their young Masters and Mistresses in the most dutiful manner–
I have a particular favour to ask Master that is If Convenient to Sell me a part of the Detached Land Called Knutsford which at present is very little use to the Estate and If Master is so Kind as to let me have it I would pay him down one half the Purchase money and master could give me little time to pay the Balance or in any way master would point out by Labour[.] Religion and Education is Certainly making very great Progress in this Country and I sincerely trust it will be the means of bringing all things to a happy end– There was a Very lamentable accident here on the 23rd of last month one of the Pri[n]cipal Beam of the Rum Store in the Hill House Broke off and 26 Punchions of Rum being on the Platform Supported by the before mentioned Beam was Precipitated to the Ground by which a very fine child of Mr Philpotts the overseer here being at the time with me was Killed on the Spot and it was by God’s infinite mercy that I escaped– We lost nearly Three Punchions of the Rum and it was only by the interposition of Providence that it was not attended by greater and much more Serious Consequences– But My Dear Master you will See that no Blame is attributable to any one it being Purely accidental and not in human to Guard against– I beg you will rest assured that while I have life and Strength it Shall be devoted to <y>our Service and all the Influ<ence> I possess Shall be used for you<r> Interest– Such a Benevolent and Humane master as you have been deserves more than it will be in my Power to repay you were my life even extended to a hundred years[.] With my earnest prayer that almighty God will Succour and Shield you and Family and Bring you and every thing relating to you to a happy issue From your Faithful and Devoted Apprentice
Edward Barrett
Address, on integral page: Edward M. Barrett Esqr / London.
Docket: Edward Barrett / May 1. 1838. / Jamaica / Ansd June 24. 1839.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
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