SD1011. William Wemyss Anderson to Edward Moulton-Barrett (father)
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 353 (in part).
Kingston Jamaica
17 June 1839.
My dear Sir
I would deem myself very much wanting in duty as well as in friendship, were I to hesitate forwarding the foregoing Extract from one of Mr Knibbs letters. I am unwilling to be regarded as an observer and repeater of occurrences that touch on mens private affairs, but in this case a sense of duty will not allow me to forbear.
As I have stated on a former occasion I am no judge of plantation management but I cannot think any mans affairs will prosper if there be so great a fault as that of overseers of his labourers being exemplars of vice. I know well my dear Sir that you will think with me on that point. Nothing wholes<ome> in the shape of skill or any other qualification can compensate that defect and its operation is daily becoming more pernicious—because the poor people themselves are acquiring a strong sense of the evil of their former state & making every effort to improve their social condition and manners. I regard Mr Knibbs influence as of the most beneficial description. The vulgar cry against him here is unprincipled in the extreme. Nothing but the integrity of his |purpose| and the great prudence with which he steers thro’ the difficulties of his situation enable him to stand. His influence is great and extensive and deservedly so. It is the [illegible word] of others and the extraordinary energy of his own conduct, and his ever flowing benevolence, that has earned him a name amongst the people which is doubtless accompanied with great fervor. But that fervor I feel assured he will exercise only for the benefit of the people and the country. There is a vast deal of misconduct on the part of the managers & overseers; and he often checks them by the most relentless exposures, and you may guess the result. We are now in the transition state—and surely never was so great a transition made with so little disturbance or loss of property. I believe the Baptist missionaries have been, alongst with their brethren of other denominations, eminently useful in averting the evils which might naturally have arise from the change. By the way, I beg you not to think for a moment that I have written this letter as an advocate for Mr Farquharson. I do not. I know not whether he would accept the powers were you again to offer them: but I esteem him as a man very superior to others in the planter business, a family man and a religious man. There are a few others in the Island like minded upon whom our future prosperity is likely to be much dependent.
I am arranging to go home on a visit next spring. I hope to be in London early in May, and to see you. I desire much to have that pleasure. I take my family with me and propose to visit my native country, Scotland for a few months and then to return. My business is too anxious a matter to leave long, but I have made such arrangements as will secure its well working until my return. We look anxiously for the accounts (expected by next packet) of Mr Labouchers [sic] Bill. Unless it pass I fear much our losses & miseries will be much increased. If it pass, all will seem right again: I am sure of that. With my kind regards to Mr Gordon I remain with much respect,
My dear Sir
Most truly yours
Wm Wemyss Anderson
Address, on integral page: E. B. M. Barrett Esq / 50 Wimpole Street / Cavendish Square / London.
Docket, in Edward Moulton-Barrett’s hand: Recd July 22. / Ansd Sepr 2. 1839.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
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