SD1033. Mary Elizabeth Graham-Clarke to Samuel Moulton-Barrett (brother)
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 356 (in part).
Kinnersley.
Septr 1st 1839–
My dear Sam
Some apology is necessary I think for so soon plaguing you again with another dispatch from me on our own affairs, but as we are still in the dark as to what our agents are doing in your Island I cannot help appealing to you if it is in your power to obtain for us any information– I wish I could say that there was an immediate prospect of the properties being delivered over to your hands– Mr Atkinson is still in England & unfit he says to embark for Jamaica till he is sufficiently recovered from the accident he met with some months ago to be able to walk a ship’s deck without assistance but he expects to be able to leave England by this Novr packet—in the mean while he assures us Mr Hutton will do every thing that can be required for W. Hall property– Your Uncle John & I entertain no such confidence—for Mr H. has lately sent us a long prosy letter with a detail of what has been done & what may be expected—but the meaning of it all is not very intelligble [sic] to us except that he seems inclined to make out a considerable reduction of income from the loss Negro labor & yet he makes out a heavy expenditure for the hire of labor and I cannot well comprehend how in former years we could spare them to work for others so great a portion of their time, if we are not to pay so heavily for their time– You will greatly oblige us both if you will whenever you have leisure give us some little idea of the expenses of a pen—for I cannot say that I have any reason to put too great faith in what I have heard from those who have hitherto acted for us—their promises & performances have been greatly at variance. We wrote within the last fortnight to enquire of Mr Atkinson what were his intentions about remaining in Jamaica as our interests, were concerned in this subject he evaded the question by saying that it was impossible any one could name the time he was likely to continue there as he had never thought about it himself—but that he had no intention of leaving the Island for some time– I do not loo<k> on this statement as sincere but am more inclined to believe his relation’s assirtion [sic] that he was not likely to remain there long. Do you know any thing of Orange Cove estate the property of the late Mr Wm Allen, as you are aware we have a judgment debt against it & I trust it is in a situation to pay it as the two prior claimants are likely to be paid out of the Compensation Money—the management of this part of our Concerns devolves to Mr Vidal & I wish he may be as active as he ought—at any event I trust it may do good at present for them to know that we have one in the Island whose eyes are open to our Interests & we shall be truly thankful to you to say what you would recommend our doing to Mt Tirzah after you have seen it– It is left now to its fate after years of mismanagement—the consequence will be that it will be overrun with bushes—or that we must think of selling it—if such is to [be] the result can you inform us of a purchaser—or whether it should be sold in lots for Negro grounds– I have no confidence in either of the Gentlemen making the best bargain they can for us– Mr Vidal is merely a solr in Spanish Town & can only act for us in matters of relating to his profession– Mr Atkinson’s circumstances render him quite independent of any thing he can gain by us but it is evident he is inclined to uphold Mr Hutton for after all the complaints we made to him respecting Mr H. he coolly tells us he has no doubt he will do the property justice while it is under his management– Mr H. still offers to purchase W. Hall after all the depreciating acct he gives us of it & says he will give more than any one else. We have written to Mr Vidal by this packet & our remarks of Mr Hutton have not been too favorable. I am sorry my dear Sam I can say little besides the subject I have so long dwelt upon– The only other that can interest, family details I am little competent to enter on or to tell you more than you already know. I hear that Elizabeth intends remaining at Torquay another winter finding that it has been of service to her, and I am glad that she is so much better—but whether Bell & the little Butlers are to continue with her I have not been informed– James was here about a fortnight some ten days ago[—]he & Leonard went to Ireland & John was to follow them shortly tho’ nothing is yet decided on. Your Uncle & I are generally quiet at home. We are all well & I hope you can give us the same tidings of yourself & brother– We all unite in love & best wishes to both & believe me my dear Sam
Yours ever affectely
M. E. G. Clarke
John will write again shortly perhaps from Ireland
Address, on integral page: Saml M. Barrett Esqr / Cinnamon Hill / Little River Post Office / St James’s / Jamaica.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
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