SD935. William Knibb to Edward Moulton-Barrett (father)
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 338 (in part).
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20th August 1838
My Dear Sir
I return you my hearty thanks for your Kind Letter and your liberal contribution which Sum I have drawn by this packet in favour of Saml |Niagans| Esq. of this Town– I send a Copy of the Falmouth Post which I hope you will receive as it gives an account of the Sayings and doings on Oxford and Cambridge Estates in Commemoration of the happy day which fixed Character and not colour as the Standard of Man–
An arrangement has been made with your Labourers on both Estates which I consider just and equitable, and I shall feel it my duty to urge upon the people a proper and conscientious fulfillment of their Contract, and I feel every confidence that I shall succeed–
At my request Mr Farqu[h]arson has given me the use of the Hospital at Cambridge for a School Room, and ere this reaches you I hope to have a day School in full operation
As the people are now fairly paid for the Labour they perform I consider it to be their duty to pay for the education of their Children, If they are frugal and industrious they can do it, and it will tend to increase those feeling towards the improvement of their offspring, which but slowly develope themselves but which are essential to a proper discharge of their parental & maternal duties.
There are however too many who care for none of these things, over these I mourn, for these I pray, and yet hope that means will be afforded to bring them to the Knowledge of the Saviour who has commended Children to our care, and has commanded us to Feed the lowly[.] It will ever give me pleasure to hear from you or to afford any help to the improvement of the people[.] It would be premature in me to hazard an opinion now, but I have not the Shadow of a doubt, Come what may, that if we have a fruitful season, that Oxford and Cambridge will testify that they are not unmindful of the benefits they have received, but that they are determined to shew their gratitude by the propriety and industry they herein feel.
As soon as the present excitement is over, and the arrangements are fairly entered into I shall take an opportunity of writing you more fully, but I am now so much engaged that I am sure you will forgive this hasty Letter[.]
Edward is much better and I hope will long be spared in this useful career[.]
Mrs Knibb unites in Kind regards with
Yours very truly
William Knibb
Address, on integral page: To Edward Barrett Esqr / Messrs Anderson and Son / Mincing Lane / London.
Docket, in Edward Moulton-Barrett’s hand: Mr Knibb / August 20. 1838 / Recd Octr 1838. / Jamaica.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
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