SD1102. Samuel Moulton-Barrett (brother) to Edward Moulton-Barrett (father)
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 364 (in part).
Cin. Hill
Jny 1st 1840–
My dear Father
This being the 1st dy of the year the negroes have all taken a holiday, in fact they have done no work since Xmas Eve. Your letter of the 15th Nov- reached me yesterday; & as the post leaves this Evg I hasten to write you a few lines– A Cargo of Africans ard in Mo. Bay. last month, & after consulting Mr Carey I made an application for 100, 80 of whom I obtained & my whole time has been occupied since Xmas in attending upon them, the task is arduous, but I look ford to a grateful return & from their character have great hopes of its realization– The terms are &c &c to work 6 days &c. I must tell you it is an experiment I am deeply interested in & if my attention upon them will accomplish the End I have in view I shall feel largely rewarded– They are as far as I have yet seen very honest, & work too well, you may not understand how this can be, but can assure you I have had much difficulty in inducing them to withdraw from their work at the regular hour– I have given each a garden & they are Engaged in putting in Provisions– The food I at present give them is rice & herrings, the former article is I think as cheap here as with you—not so herrings as I pay 24/8 a barrell—you will therefore see the necessity of sending out a few Barrells of Herrings & also some Navy Buiscuits– Forty people for the Estate 30 for Corn-- & 10 for Pleas. Valley. Have reserved 20 acres of Falworth land in New Lease which I shall Petition H. of A. to add to the Town. Robertson Pen—&c—Thatchfield &c– Not seen Carey since the letter alluded to–
S M Barrett
E M Barrett Esqr
Publication: None traced.
Source: File copy at Eton College Library.
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