SD931. Edward Moulton-Barrett (father) to Samuel Moulton-Barrett (brother)
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 338 (in part).
London
August 15, 1838.
My dear Sam
Taking it for granted that you are now in Jamaica, from your letter dated from New York to Henrietta, I presume you have received the few lines written to you doubtingly, & enclosed to Mr Carey– We are all very anxious to know something of your health, which we trust has benefitted from Sea Air, a receipt that Mr Newdick gave us for ague, I desired might be forwarded by the last packet, & should the voyage not have produced the desired effect, I shall be glad to hear that this remedy, which never failed before, has been found to be greatly successful with you–
Selby arrived on the 10th having had a very fine voyage, the Samples of Sugar & Rum I have not seen yet, but shall to-morrow; the weights are good, averaging at the Kings |Beom| about 18 Cwt– The Wine & the furniture I suppose I shall get this week—the two Books & the Map I have, but Have not had time to look much into it; I observe however a pencil mark of a burial ground sold to the Parish, & a letter of yours states that the Land was sold for £700, but the numbers of the 12 lots constituting this portion are not said– You say that you could get, you think, £85 a lot: do you mean for favored ones? or generally– To what do you allude, when you talk of £6 an acre for land, Is it for land not put down in the Map or the least eligible of the lots there inserted?
I have had a letter from Aikman of Kingston upon the subject of his Account, & under the supposition that you were with me; the balance he states to be £804.10.10 Cy. From the respectability of that gentleman, I suppose there can be no doubt of its correctness, & therefore it should be paid– I beg you will see about it, & tell him I have written to you on the subject. The Debts are very great even here, having had Bills sent in for nearly £4000 St—already, but there will be enough to pay all–
If you get my letter alluded to above, through Mr Carey, you will know my views respecting your taking the situation of Overseer at Cinnamon Hill; I think the policy of taking such a step rests on your coming to England or not, if you come soon, I would postpone it until your return, but if you stay I see no objection to your taking the situation immediately, except what may militate against Mr Carey’s view, for as he is the responsible person, he may think it unfair that an Overseer should be forced upon him– I dont think however he will object, particularly as in my first letter to him, I mentioned that such was my wish– You can <…> this with him–
We are all anxious to hear the result of the Bill for relinquishing <…> remaining term of the apprenticeship, as regards wages, supplies contract for a term or otherwise, & above all whether you are all at peace–
Our dear Ba continues much in the same state, she is going to Torquay for the Winter & under the keeping of God, I trust she will improve– All the rest are quite well–
Yrs my dear Sam
Very affectionately
E M Barrett
Direct to me 50. Wimpole Street
No Exemplification of the Will being proved in Jamaica & when, has yet arrived, we want it much–
I mean to write to Sir J. Rowe next packet–
I have received a most gratifying letter from Edward Samuels of the Retreat, where I trust he still is; his sentiments of gratitude & respect to my beloved Brother have been most acceptable to me– I say I hope he is still there for he says at the end of his letter, “having no Master in Jamaica“ but this may allude to his & my loss, & not to his having no Master at all, in which sense it may also be read– Let me know, & tell him I greatly regard him, & thank him from my heart for this testimony which he has borne to the worth of my beloved Brother–
Address, on integral page: S. M. Barrett Esqre / Cinnamon Hill / Little River / St James’s / Jamaica.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
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