SD950. William Tinkler to Samuel Moulton-Barrett (brother)
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 341 (in part).
Cinnamon Hill
October 16. 1838
Sir
Very soon after you set out for Town we had some light rains which were afterwards followed by heavy ones one of which brought down the gully, destroyed Rose hall little dam & injured the wooden bridge, since when the weather has been very favourable. The canes have recovered their full green colour & are growing rapidly as also the guinea grass the latter has not yet begun to form seed.– The tallest canes at present shew no signs of arrowing, we may therefore expect they will arrow late & it will then be slight. We may conseq[u]ently hope that the next crop will not suffer so much as was expected from the late drought[.] The Spring plants have nearly all failed, they are now undergoing a thorough supply partly from Cornwall Canoe piece & partly from Still house piece. the Supplies are put in with their roots to bring them on as early as possible, but it is evident they cannot be cut next crop, but must be cut as an early fall plant, or overstand[.] With respect to labourers we get as many as we can find change to pay .. but when a large number was required to put in the supplies Cin: hill. only turned out Six. they excused themselves generally that as the weather was so heavy they could not make a days work & thought it better to make the best of it in putting their grounds in order. some of them were in arrears for pay.– Cornwall did well their plants are all supplied. ours are now nearly so. The weavils are doing so much mischief to your American corn that so soon as the piece (Banana) is ready I intend to plant it there. They have also attacked the beans, some of which I have planted in the garden at the hill & a good many of the rest I intend to plant in four beds which have been formed in Still House piece– Mr Hawes intends to plant the old garden in canes in time to cut with the remainder of Still house piece & remove the wall to its former position[.] Cash has become so scarce that merchants now ask 5 PCent, but about 3 weeks since Mr Jump agreed to furnish £60 PWeek which with £20 which I has the luck to collect has cleared off all arrears & left a few pounds on hand this week.– I think both Estates are in as fair order as could be wished & that so far from labourers being hard to get to keep them so, there will be more than can be employed. I understand that Easthams is still giving 2/6 to some of Cornwall Second Gang who could only get 1/3 at home this cannot last long–
Notices have been served on every house on both Estates, but no notice taken. In fact they were informed that it was merely to establish the owners title & would not be acted on but on deserters or Idle or dissolute persons.– I have received & paid the money to Mrs D Etry & have placed in the Bank the sums for Junius & R Leslie[.] I have deviated from your instructions in one respect. I have entered it in their own names in case of any accident happening to me, & have cautioned Mr Purrier not to allow Beck to draw any money without my sanction or that of Mr Carey– I can find no tenant for her house, Reid declined it on account of its having no glass Windows. Others object to the want of Servants appartments. in fact no person who can afford to pay a rent of £50 or £60 PAnnum would be without a Servant or two & I think it very advisable to have two or three cheap rooms built in order to procure rent at all[.]
I have made enquiry for Yam heads but find none to be had in this quarter. the dry weather has injured or destroyed great numbers. As you did not send the money from Town I conclude you have altered your mind about planting Thomsons but should I find any prospect of getting plants in November I will consult with Sir Joshua if he attends court & act according to his opinion.
Mr Hawes requests me to offer his best respects[.] He has engaged a person to clean Unity Hall thoroughly at a dollar PAcre, & two other persons have engaged to clean some of the worst pastures in Pleasant Valley at the same rate[.]
I am Sir
Your Obed Servt
William Tinkler
Samuel M Barrett Esqr
Address, on integral page: Samuel M Barrett Esqr / No 50 Wimpole Street / Cavendish Square / London.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
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