SD990. Edward Moulton-Barrett (father) & Henrietta Moulton-Barrett to Samuel Moulton-Barrett (brother)
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 348 (in part).
Torquay
March 9. 1839.
My dear Sam
I know not how to reply to your application for the money, for I know not if Anderson has any funds of mine in his hands, and I have no other source whence I can get a supply– Besides what was necessary for the discharge of home demands on me he paid the last month £2100 for the Bills drawn on me from Jamaica, & not having my Papers here I cannot say how matters are between us as regards money– You should have mentioned the likelihood of your wanting this supply before I left Town, when I could have made the necessary arrangement to procure it; but are you wise thus late in the season taking out this venture, I think decidedly not, & if you ask any of the old Speculators, I suspect that you will find they concur with me in this opinion– I am sorry above all that you should have taken the step you have, without consulting me upon the expediency of it– You cannot get to Jamaica, supposing that you have the most propitious winds until Crop is half over, & I do not think that you will like; neither I suspect will Car[e]y, that you should thus in the midst dispossess Hawes; would it not place you in very disagreeable circumstances as respects all the parties there? Think of it– There is another circumstance, which seems to make it advisable that you should postpone your voyage if possible, namely the letter I have this day received from Stormy, who is disposed, seeing he cannot ruralise in Australia, to try his hand in West India; & if he does go, which is for him to determine not me, it would surely be desirable that he should accompany you, but how can this be done, if you go so soon, indeed it is out of the question– I put it to you, that if it be agreeable to you, to give the Captn of the Ship your proposal to go in something to let you off & wait for another opportunity– Of course I will pay the charge; should you agree to it, mind you dont pay for wine & provisions which you wont consume– This terrible illness of my beloved Ba, has unhinged every thing with me, my mind, my time &c[.] Let me know your determination by return of Post–
Yrs very affectionately
E M Barrett–
Henrietta, not knowing that I was going to write tonight has written you a long letter, crossed, but refuses to send it now– This she desired me to say, to account for her silence– Our beloved one is much the same, She had not a good night, but less expectoration. I trust to-morrow morning will find her much refreshed from a good sleep this night[.] I hope you will be able to make out my meaning, for never was any thing more tiresome than this pen of mine– What has been done about the overture from Letham & Cook, I begged Henrietta to desire George to enquire & stir them up to expedite it– Having made up my mind I am anxious to complete the business– Cant George draw up a proper release, when I will discharge all Lawyers, saving our young one?–
[Continued in the hand of Henrietta]
Papa has just sent me his letter dearest Sam to tell you how Ba is this morng– She is nicely but has not had a good night, but this must not make you uneasy for her good nights at the best are only occasional– The expectoration is better– I wrote you a long letter yesterday & condemned it to the flames afterwards as Papa wanted to write[.] I thought it would be indulging you too much to send you two letters– Ba & I did not see dear Stormie’s yesterday—but heard of it from Set & Bro who read it after we left the drawing room—they said it was a very good letter, but we are very sorry to hear that Australia is still thought of[.] Papa will never consent to such a plan– Set says I must finish[.] Best of loves to dearest Arabel & all from
your ever affecte
Henrietta
Address, on integral page, in the hand of Henrietta Moulton-Barrett: S. M. Barrett Esqre / 50– Wimpole Street / London.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
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