SD167. James Scarlett to Edward Moulton-Barrett (father)
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 313 (in part).
[London]
[Postmark: 9 June 1813]
My dear Barrett
I wrote to you a few days ago on the subject of some bills which have been drawn on me by my brother for Edwd Barretts legacy. I fear my letter has miscarried & I therefore trouble you with this to say that the acceptance of the bills must be delayed till I have your concurrence & your authority to B P S & Co to pay one half the amount. I know very well that last year you did apply to them for that purpose & that you had their acquiescence. But it is necessary to remind them of this. I wrote to Mr Sharp on the subject & his answer is that there will be no objection if the plan has your approbation. The plan I proposed was to accept the bills payable at their house one half on your account & the other half on Sams—for which last I shall find them the money– They must of course deduct from your half the sum you advanced to Edwd 500l[.] The bills are to carry interest from the day he came of age & are payable at 3.6 9 & 12 months– I think the terms very favorable to you. As I am on business I may as well take this occasion to mention to you that a power of Atty is at length arrived from Mr & Mrs Stirling to receive the interest of her legacy. This I shall pay—but as the money is in the funds which I fear are not likely to rise I wish to consult your opinion whether it would not be better to invest it on mortgage[.] I hear she has a child so that your interest in it is very remote—but yet it may be as wise to keep the fund undiminished. I wish her power of Atty had come a year ago as the funds were then higher & you & Sam would have saved 150l a piece by it. However as there will be a small balance coming to you & him after the 10,000 |Carrying| is deducted & the interest to Geo. Barrett paid, I think it would be as well to sell the whole stock out & pay the balance to your account & his which will thereby be intirely settled with me. I hope indeed that before long I may have the pleasure of serving you with a view to a final arrangement[.] Next October is the month when I shall be most at leisure & if you would come to town, or what would be much more agreeable to me bring Mrs Barrett & your family to Abinger for some days in that month I shod be very happy. With best regards to her & good wishes for your health & happiness I am
My dear Barrett
Ever most truly yours
J Scarlett
PS. When the next legacy is paid I shall present a release of my mortgage on your Herefordshire Estate or assign it to any person you think fit– If you wish for an accommodation from your merchant at any time I would recommend you to keep that security open as more convenient to borrow upon that than the borrowing from a merchant.
Address, on integral page: Edwd M. Barrett Esqr / Hope—End / Ledbury.
Docket: James Scarlett, Payment of Edw. Legacy & Betsy Sterlings, June 9. 1813.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
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