SD1044. Samuel Moulton-Barrett (brother) to W. Carey
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 358 (in part).
Cin. Hill
Sept. 18th 1839–
Dear Sir.
I have just recd your note, & in reply must state that my Brother recd a letter from my Father by last post, stating, that understanding you had sailed he had not written to you. With reference to these Properties no remark was made, & we are still left in the same difficulty: With regard to myself individually I can state no more than I have at our recent interviews, but, my extreme unwillingness to take divided responsibility in the management of these Properties, I think I stated this as clearly as I could, & I thought your arrangements were to the Effect that I should, defacto, have the Sole Management of the Estates, without at the same time being legal representative of my Father: I thought in fact it was an amicable arrangement between ourselves that I should act for the Properties yet you were to retain charge. If such were not the case, I must regret to say though at this late hour decline altogether acting on the Properties, until you have written evidence from my Father, that I am either to take charge of the Properties as you are about the leave the Island, or that I am to act only as Overseer & not to take any steps without your orders.– I have many reasons for adopting this course, but the greatest one is, that if it should by any accident reach the Negroes ears that I am usurping an authority I cannot legally exercise, my attempts to enforce rent will be perfectly futile, & any attempts I may make to carry out my arrangements will fall to the ground: Besides this present Evil, I shall eventually destroy any influence I may at this moment have on the Estates, & which ultimately I shall have to exercise– If therefore you have any anxiety on ac/ of these Estates, I would request you at once to resume the management & leave either Mr Reynolds or some other person in charge till my Fathers intentions are ascertained; I have not yet touched on the all important question of rent so you will be enabled to carry out your own views on the subject; & so far from my feeling any annoyance, I should much prefer remaining inactive, to weakening my influence amongst the Negroes. Mr Tinkler forwards you the ac/s made up to the 1st September, I have since then advanced on my own ac/ £205 to carry on the Estates.– I was yesterday in M. Bay qualifying as a Magistrate: & |Faruchet| advised me that if last years road tax on these Properties was not paid he should Levy: I believe you have the ac/s, & referred him to you. The people are turning out well here & shew every disposition to work.– There is one man here ought to be proceeded against at the next Quarter Assises for rent due to the amount of £91.13.4, he having done no work since august year.
Waiting for you answer
Believe me dear sir
S M Barrett.
I am sorry I purchased the Stock from Green Vale they are wretchedly bad–
W. Carey Esq.
Green Park Estate–
Publication: None traced.
Source: File copy at Eton College Library.
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