SD155. Richard Barrett (1789–1839) to Elizabeth Barrett Williams
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 312 (in part).
Barrett Hall
Little River
Nov 19th 1811
My dearest Mother
I am much surprised & vexed at finding by your letter of Septr 3d that you had received no news from me[.] I wrote to you in June & again in August since which time no packet arrived till the one which brought your letter therefore I cd not write– Enclosed is a bill of Exchange drawn on Watson & Appleton by Mr Watson for the rent of your wharf, it will I hope meet your exigencies in time—the amount is £188.13.4—I can get no payment from Mr Ewart altho’ he has sold the articles you left with him for about £47 curry from which are to be deducted some things you had from him before you left Jamaica– I can take the value of the balance in the way of trade which is indeed the only possible way of getting any payment– He is daily expected to break– You left the saddle with Mrs Plummer to dispose of—she is in treaty for it’s sale with one or two mulattos & I dare say will give me the amount to send you by next payment– I am sorry to say the Phaeton in spite of all my efforts is unsold, and there is small prospect of getting rid of it, unless at a very trivial value– I have let the land to Mr Wat[s]on at £15 Strg per ann. The lease was signed last Septr– Mr Plummers dilatoriness in drawing out the papers occasioned much delay, & also some disagreement respecting the duration of the Lease– I hope you ar<e sa>tisfied with the terms on which I have let your negroes—viz £200, currcy per ann. payable yearly in England– The situation in which I am placed by the Epsom House being unsaleable at present, is very distressing & unexpected I have large sums payable next May whh now I see no prospect of half satisfying– At the very time when I thought the place sold & when I had actually received securities (from Chas Moulton) for the amount, to find that I could not sell it for some time was indeed afflicting. Let me know the amount of the duties you paid for the sweet meats– I cannot procure the valuation of your furniture Mrs P says you gave 90£ curry for the Mattresses & two doubloons for the chest of drawers—if you recollect the value of any other articles pray let me know–
From the loss of the August packet I recd but one letter from you—Dearest Mother.
Very affy Yrs
Richd Barrett
Address, on integral page: Mrs Barrett Williams / Messr Plummer & Co / Merchants / London.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
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