SD1123. Edward Moulton-Barrett (father) to Septimus Moulton-Barrett
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 4, 365 (in part).
[Torquay]
May 13. 1840.
My dear Sette
I should have written to you last night on the subject of these Bills, which have appeared. Concerning the larger one of £500 I hardly know how to act, as I have received no notice whatever of such a Bill, & how it has come I am quite at a loss to conjecture, without another Packet has come in, which is not likely, as in such a Case I surely should have heard from some one, particularly if such a large sum had been drawn for, I cannot besides see the signature. Cannot you or George tell the Holder, that under the circumstances I cannot accept, but that they had better keep it, & that, as next packet, supposing it be drawn by Jump on my account, I must certainly hear from him, I will then under his advice, accept it from the day of presentation. With regard to the Bill for £100 in favor, Mitchell, if you have not already accepted one of a similar amount in the same name, it must be, one of those respecting which I wrote before. You will recollect there were two Bills drawn by Jump, one of the 12 March for £200 in favor of John Billinger, & another for £100 in favor of John Mitchell dated March 11—therefore if a Bill exactly corresponding with the latter has not been accepted, the one now presented is the one, & which of course George must accept for me. But take care that this is not a second one, as the mistake would be difficult to rectify– There were two Bills also I think, drawn by Carey, of which I wrote to you, but I cannot enter into the particulars of them, as I sent you the letter to get the postage returned, which contains the advise, &c. Look into it & see if there is any intimation of this Bill, it is not likely, for that was from Carey, & you say this Bill is drawn by Jump, but you may have made a mistake in the hurry of writing–
Tell George I want him to take the enclosed note according to the direction; the office is just at the entrance of Lancaster Place, down some steps, & that in the place of the note, he is to receive a Bill accepted by me for £117.10.7 due on the 9th May inst He must take care not to leave the one, without getting the other; and if not very inconvenient, I beg the business may be done immediately–
I trust the communication you make of Miss Tulk’s intended marriage may be conducive to her happiness, & that it meets with the entire consent of all parties interested in her welfare–
I see no objection to the Richmond expedition, provided you take a regular good waterman with you & keep clear of the Steamers, which, I see from the papers, are now & then, & not seldom, upsetting & drowning, Boats & pleasure parties–
Give my best regards to Treppy & Mrs & Miss Minto–
Since the above was written I have received your picture Gallery, containing my Jamaica Letters, by which I find Carey drew for 312.14.2—in two Bills, which I presume George has already accepted; & in addition to the two Bills drawn by Jump amount £300, he has advised me of another Bill for £500 in favor of Conway Heighington, & this I should suppose to be the Bill, to which you refer me, & of which I have written in the commencement of this letter, if so George must accept it, altho it be very much contra grano. I shall be ruined. Cambridge & Oxford last year from the accounts I have just received will not pay their expences– Cinnamon Hill I have [not] yet got– I suppose you read dear Stormies letter. How am I to send you the large Letter in order to get back the extra postage I dare not venture for fear of losing it–
Remember, if a black Man calls by name of Edward Barrett, you all make much of him; He is an excellent Creature & very essential to me, as a Manager in a sense upon Oxford. If he will sleep & stay in Wimpole Street make him as comfortable as possible, at any rate ask him; & tell him how I am situated that I cannot come up just now.
The Hedleys go to-morrow– Our precious Ba has had a better day than yesterday, & has been I fear exerting herself to write a few lines to George, to whom she said she owed two letters.
Did you say that you wanted more money if so let me know & I will send an order on Messrs Anderson. I sold last week 25 Hhds. at 71s/—this is pretty well– I have heard from Mrs Selby in answer to my letter, I have also by the packet heard from Selby, poor fellow he is much cast down, but I think bears up tolerably. I must conclude with loves to all around.
Yrs very affectionately
E M Barrett
Address, on integral page: Septimus Barrett.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Gordon E. Moulton-Barrett.
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