SD1115. George Goodin Barrett (1792-1854) to John Edwards
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 364 (in part).
Junior U.S. Club
Waterloo Place London
Febry 15th 1840
Sir,
I should not have troubled you with another letter seeing that I shall in all probability be soon in Jamaica, were it not for one passage of yours of the 23rd Decber which appears to me of such importance to my Nephew and myself, containing as it does the outline of an arrangement which cannot but be satisfactory & advantageous to both parties. The passage to which I have referred is this “On the general subject of your late Brother’s Estate I would give this advice, that the Trust should be terminated by a division of the property at once. Let each take his share of such debts, as may be unpaid at the termination of a year from his death. This course will save the very expensive management of three Exects all working and all expecting remuneration, & it will enable the parties to manage their own affairs in their own way. I am decidedly of opinion that this may be easily arranged before the 18th of May, a year after your Brother’s decease.[”] For this advice I am much obliged to you, and have copied it into a letter to my Nephew stating that it appears to me the best course of proceeding and adding, “Let proper people value those personals on the different properties which by the will are directed to be disposed of, & let each of us, according to his share of those personals, take so much of the debt, after which let us divide between whatever surplus of debt may remain each party taking his share upon himself freeing the other party from all responsibility.[”] If this arrangement should meet your views, & be agreeable to the other Exects you can easily facilitate the business by putting it into such a train that little more will be required on my arrival in the Island than executing the papers[.] I shall leave England by the middle packet in March, so that by the 10th of May every thing may be satisfactorily arranged. As you will in all probability see my Nephew during attendance as a Member of the House of Assembly perhaps you will be kind enough to discuss the subject with him
I am Sir
Your obdnt Humble Servant
G. G. Barrett
John Edwards Esqre
Receiver General
Jamaica
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
___________________
