SD911. Joshua Rowe to Samuel Moulton-Barrett (brother)
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 336 (in part).
The Pinnacle
18 May ’38
My dear S. Barrett
I heard from your father by the last packet & enclose you his letter knowing you would be glad to see it– The Assembly are to meet on the 5 June for the purpose of taking into consideration the total abolition of the apprenticeship on the 1 Aug. next & after what has been done in Barbados & some of the other windward Islands & from the great agitation on the subject in England & the determination of some proprietors to free all their apprentices I do not see how it will be possible to avoid the declaration of freedom of all the negroes on the 1 Aug—a feeling in favor of the measure, arising perhaps from the apparent necessity of it from the circumstances I have mentioned, is fast spreading in this neighbourhood, & I hear that the bill will be brought in as soon as the House meets– You will have to consider whether this approaching crisis will make any alteration in your plans because perhaps it may [be] desireable for your father’s interests that you should be here when this great change takes place—this you can decide on from your knowledge of the people & by consulting with Mr Carey– You will see what your father says about the shortening the term of apprenticeship which he appears to wish– If you decide on going to England I think you had better go in the next Packet as nothing has been heard of the New York one & Cater has chartered a vessel to go to the Havannah– Mr Johnson arrived here yesterday & he says he does not think any Packet will come from New York at all– your therefore waiting for one appears to me to be a useless waste of time– I wrote your father by the packet & told him for what purpose the Assembly is called & expressed my opinion of the probable issue of their labours; & I took occasion to speak of Jump & told him that the plan suggested of his residing on one estate & being attorney for the other is one |acted| on by some large proprietors as required by the coming change & I mentioned the |Gladstones|– I will write Room as you desire– I think if has has £10. more that is all he can possibly expect & so I will tell him—he can of course claim nothing but as he behaved so well & had so much bad weather to encounter in returning I do not that that £100 in all will be too much for him–
I am glad to hear Bloomsbury is likely to sell for so much money; still I do not think that one half of what your Uncle has spent on it will be realized– I shall be obliged if you will enquire whether the [illegible word] lodging will be to let altho’ I do not think that I shall be at M. Bay this next Court as if the Assemby be still sitting I shall not be able to leave Spa. Town. when such very important matters are under discussion– Should you decide on going in the packet we shall expect to see you forthwith–
Believe me Very sincerely Yrs
J.R.
S. M. Barrett Esqre
Bring back your father’s letter when you come up– I really do not know what is due to Bravo– I gave you all the papers I had relating to your Uncle’s estate. The exemplification of the will should be sent to your father if you do not go directly to England. You see what he says about it– Lady R heard from your Aunt—she is still in Tunbridge Wells– I have mentioned to your father what you have done in furtherance of his wishes respecting your Uncle’s remains & expressed a hope that he will approve of all you have done nothwithstanding the |reprieve|–
Address, on integral page: S. M. Barrett Esqre / Cinnamon Hill / Little River / St James’.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
___________________
