SD1113. Samuel Moulton-Barrett (brother) to Edward Moulton-Barrett (father)
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 364 (in part).
[Jamaica]
Feby 11. 1840
My dearest Father
I should hardly write to you this post were it not to advise you of a very unpleasant bill I drew on you on the 7 Inst favr Mess W & R Dewar for £300 Stg 22 p Ct @ 90 days to carry on the cultivation of these Estates– We commence Crop on Monday next both here & at Cornwall[.] I put it off, to this late period in consequence of the continuance of rainy seasons & consequent growth of the canes our prospects are certainly cheering as regards the appearance of our cane fields & if the people will meet me half way we shall do better than our neighbours. In reference to pasture cleaning, I have succeded [sic] in cleaning a large quantity & though a considerable sum for this kind of work has been expended yet when I tell you that in consequence of their being so thoroughly neglected last year I have been compelled to send 40 head of Stock off the Estate thereby losing their manure. I shall endeavour to prevent a similar neglect by cleaning them before they become so exceedingly weedy as to discourage the negroes from taking them. The africans have been a great assistance in this description of work & will I trust when more inured to the climate & change of habit fully remunerate you for the expence you have incurred in bringing them on the properties—they are at present very valuable to me & will be much more so when the Mills are about in supplying canes whilst the other people are making sugar. There are some excellent people amongst them but as in all flocks some few Black ones are to be found that have given me a little extra trouble. I still however maintain the same opinion of their honesty good temper & willingness to oblige. Out of the 80 I obtained 3 are unavailable, 2 from disease & 1 from a species of insanity. The others are however well & giving me satisfaction I observe your remarks about the mill & will state that I am of opinion that it will not prove so unfit as is anticipated by other parties. I will however let you know as we get on with crop[.] Mr Waddell is in possession of Cornwall Great house & 6 acres of Pasture which he has acceded to pay at the rate of £70 Cy a year till it is ascertained whether you will grant him a lease of three years or not[.] You will I am sure be rather alarmed by flying reports of Sugar works being burnt down. I will therefore only state the fact of 4 trash houses having been destroyed in this county, but as no evidence has yet been obtained we are not justified in attributing it to the act of incendiaries & in this neighbourhood I see & fear no prospect of such a thing occurring. The Governor I expect down here on the 26th Inst Sir J wrote me yesterday & mentioned Sir Charles’s intention of making Retreat a resting place I have accordingly advised Mr Jump of it who will I suppose go up & meet him[—]he will probably spend a few hours on this Estate but ma<ke> Greenwood long sams place his head quarters, where I shall go and meet him. By last post I find I am appointed magistrate for Trelawny, Storm is staying with me for a few days. I shall endeavour to keep him here till Selby arrives whom we are daily expecting he unites with me in most affectionate love to all your party & Believe me &c
E B M Barrett Esqr
Publication: None traced.
Source: File copy at Eton College Library.
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