SD1037. Samuel Moulton-Barrett (brother) to Edward Moulton-Barrett (father)
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 357 (in part).
[Jamaica]
Septr 3 [1839]
My dear Father
I have just taken charge of these properties as half attorney & Overseer & before I go further will at once acknowledge that I consider both Mr Carey & the late overseer have done the fullest justice to the properties considering the up hill game they have had to play the cane fields are all clear the stock looking well & Cornwall pastures in tolerably good order[.] But in justice to myself & lest you may feel any disappointment if next years Crop be Small I must tell you that not one supply has yet be<en> put in & it is too late on this Estate to attempt it with any hope of Success. I shall however |dung| largely on the stock & by close attention to the canes can I think promise you an increase on this years crop. We are badly off here in respect to pasture land, nearly all the grass pieces being in a very bushy state. The people are however, willing to take them by task work & knowing your opinion upon this subject, I shall always adopt a system of this kind when it is possible.
In reference to your wishes in regard to rent I fully coincide with you & Shall tomorrow pursue a system which is not adopted elsewhere but which I think you will approve of. viz charging the head of every family so much rent P Week varying from 1/ to 4/ Stg according to the real value of the house & not according to the number of the inhabitants as generally proposed. I adopt this course because I consider it more fair towards the negro, & will prevent the continued complaints of their Houses requiring repair—for the moment I repair a house I make a proportionate charge for rent. In order to gild this rent Bill I propose paying 5d more P diem making 2/1 Currency & the other gangs in proportion. Now as for rents on this Estate will average about 3/4 Pr house the Estate will be a gainer of 2/1 Currency P Week each person, besides being an additional encouragement to the negroes to work I can say nothing as yet what effect this rent charge is likely to produce amongst them but on my proposing it to Mr Carey, he perfectly agreed with me.– The whole Establishment here will consist of myself, Mr Tinkler one Bkkeeper & a carpenter, for you are aware I am not favourable to the employment of many white people. I will write to you more fully next pkt in regard to these properties, my time being now rather limited.– Retreat looks exceedingly well. You will this year have about 12 or 14 [illegible word] Coffee. The people there received me more favourably than they did here & have since my arrival (Samuels reports) turned out in large numbers[.] Your Cattle look well & you will have a fine lot for next years Sale. But there also some other arrangements must be made, the new houses ought decidedly to pay the expence of keeping that pen in order– I would also work to increase the Coffee walk on that property[.] Sir Joshua Rowes brother is still there[.] In reference to your Trelawney properties, Jump has of course given you the necessary information[.] Cambridge cane field does however look wretchedly bad, but not worse than Hyde hall, I examined those two Estates very closely & shall be much mistaken if next year Cin Hill does not make more sugar than either of them, however time will shew– Oxford is in finer order & the people better disposed than Cambridge people Jump has had a most difficult game to play & will, I fear be sometime before he surmounts the baneful influence of Mr Knibb.–
S who is quite well goes to Cambridge this week, he will I hope produce some good effect upon the negroes minds on that property[.] Falmouth land I am to make a settlement about on Saturday next– The lease is void in consequence of the tenant not having paid rent. I have offered it on a new lease for £300 a year & intend to make many alterations in the old lease—when it is drawn out I will forward you a copy– I sold one lot yesterday for £90—& have had other offers but cannot obtain my price
Y.
S M Barrett
E. M. Barrett Esq.
Publication: None traced.
Source: File copy at Eton College Library.
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