SD1015. Samuel Moulton-Barrett (brother) to Henrietta Moulton-Barrett
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 353 (in part).
London
June 22nd 1839
My ever dearest Henrietta
I am well aware for the step I am about to take you & dear Ba may charge me, & really feel, I have acted with unkindness in thus leaving you: I feel my dearest Henrietta there may be some apparent ground for this charge: as my leaving England at this moment, I have no hesitation in saying is my own act & deed: It has given me much pain to come to this determination for I confess myself painfully disappointed in being so little with you & why this shall have been I know not, I have made frequent attempts to leave London since my stay here but such obstacles were thrown in the way that I was compelled to abandon them: My stay in England has been much extended beyond the time originally specified, my having already lost nearly two years in my business as a Planter, The unsettled State of the Negroes, & Mr Careys stated intention to leave Jamaica in June or July, have all conduced to decide me in the absolute necessity of the case: What my love for you would dictate I need scarcely say, for all of you must feel how gladly, how delighted I should be to remain in this country where all whom I love exist: But indeed dearest Henrietta I have not the means of so existing & could never consent to be supported by my Father or any one else: Whereas in Jamaica my prospects are most cheering & I see every chance of my ultimate success if I steadily pursue one course: The climate agrees with me. I have Storm to associate with, & I can realise a comfortable income; & if I remain here I see nothing before me but idleness & miserable dependance; I will say no more on this subject for I am satisfied you will ere this have allowed your better judgement to controul these feelings which I know we all must entertain at this moment. I have deeply felt my absence from you all at Torquay; but when I know how painful a parting scene would be to us all & how injurious it might be to dear Ba, I rather rejoice we have escaped it– I am sure you will feel glad at Storms accompanying me, I am satisfied it will be most beneficial to me– I will continue my monthly letters to you and report all our doings & employments. I am not to hold the situation of Attorney so business letters will not prevent my corresponding with you as heretofore: I am to reside at Cin. Hill as Overseer only, I confess being rather disappointed: I yesterday recd a Power from Mrs John Clarke for her Properties, & this will I have no doubt be the ultimate means of further promotion amongst strangers: On my Father’s Properties I shall not be appointed till either Jump or Carey die; Why this should be I know not: I shall ad interim endeavour to rent an Estate: I will fully inform you on all these points as they occur. My most affectionate love to dear Ba who I am sure will bear this temporary separation with patience for our sakes; in two or three years you will see me again: & you ought to be grateful, as I am, that I go out to Jamaica with such cheerful prospects; how different from those I went out with before. I must now my dearest Henrietta bid you farewell once more, & painful as the separation is, I most fervently pray we may all bear it as we ought for it is for the best.
My most affectionate love to dearest Bell & all with you & that we may meet under brighter & happier <pro>spects at no distant day is the earnest Prayer of your most fondly & affectionately
Attached
Sam
Write to me regularly about Ba once a fortnight, & commence on the 1st of July, you who know my anxiety will I am sure not disappoint me– I will write from Madeira, where we are going to call for Wine–
June 26th Once more my own dearest Henrietta & Ba, God bless you both, we sail in two hours from this: That God in his mercy may protect & restore our dear Ba is the earnest prayer of
yr fondly Attached Sam–
Address, on integral page: Miss H. Barrett / Torquay / Devon.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Armstrong Browning Library, Altham Archive.
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