SD952. James Phillpotts to Samuel Moulton-Barrett (brother)
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 341 (in part).
Trelawny, Falmouth
23rd Octr 1838
S M. Barrett Eqr
Dear Sir
As you expressly desired me to write you by the Packet, the last time I had the pleasure of seeing you, I now take the liberty of doing so and the first Intelligence I have to acquaint you of is rather an unfortunate one to me. Mr Farquharson came to the Estate the following day after you left I stated to him that you had been there and were very anxious to have seen him before you quitted the Island but he treated my observations very slightly and I cannot but suspect but that he must have been near at hand during the time you were at Cambridge and purposely avoided seeing you for what reason I do not know, he remained upon the Estate a few days but previously to his leaving it, he appeared to be quite displeased at hearing the Mr Carey had been with you and observed that he would discharge every friend of your family had he only to remain a few days afterwards in charge of the Estates; this he put into execution after his return to Westmoreland when he found that you had sailed by sending up a Mr Murray a friend of his who was out of situation to relieve me as Overseer. I am certain this is not the way your father would wish an Old Servant to be rewarded for his best executions after 15 years services upon both Estates to be turned off at a moments notice, by a person who is only himself employ’d by and acting for another, Mr Farquharson well knows that I have and always had the interest of my Employers at heart and ever used my best exertions and abilities for the Estate, therefore I am free to say it cannot be for the interest of your Father and the property that he has thus so unceremoniously dismissed me he must certainly have reasons which I cannot imagine and so satisfied am I that it is an Act that will not meet your Fathers or your own approval that I shall remain out of situation till I hear from you.
Mr Farquharson I believe is now satisfied by having all his friends upon Oxford and Cambridge Estates and I understand is going to bring south his own family to Cambridge Gr House in a few weeks time at the expence of the Estate, as the times are now so alter’d every proprietor I think should be as economical as possible in the management of their Estates, and If I were permitted to offer an opinion in regard to this subject, If your father would allow either your Brother or yourself to return to Jamaica with power to act as attorney for his Estates one experienced Overseer will be sufficient for the two properties as in the present time the Salary of the Attorney would be better in the pockets of one of the family, as the whole duty of an attorney at present consists in little else than drawing Bills and supplying the Estate with Planters which could be done much more advantageously by a person who really has the interest of the property being on the spot[.]
I am happy to say the Plant canes which you saw burnt up at Oxford have had a few fine showers and are improving in appearance, but the canes in general every <where> [1] are very short this time of the Year owning to Dry Weather<. I intend> to enclose you Mr Farquharsons discharge [2] and may I <beg> to be remembered to all your Family. I shall remain <at> Falmouth until I hear from you to which place <you will> be kind enough to direct me <…>
and Remain
Sincerely Your<s>
James Phill<potts>
Address, on integral page: Saml M. Barrett Esqr / 50 Wimpole Street / Cavendish square / London.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
1. This and the following omissions and reconstructions are due to a torn page.
2. 83810181 was enclosed with this letter.
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