SD1536. Edward Moulton-Barrett (father) to George Goodin Barrett (1792-1854)
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 17, 278 (in part).
[London]
Decemr 31. 1851.
My dear George
It was truly satisfactory to find a confirmation of the intelligence received of your improved health, in seeing that you had again been able to apply yourself to your legislative duties, & I trust that your exertions will not be productive of any injury to you in preventing your gaining strength, & still less in throwing you back.
I quite agree with you in the mischief Anderson’s mission to America will be likely to produce, should he induce persons who have been for any time resident in the United States or Canada, to migrate to our Island. The Men we want are those from the Slave States, recently emancipated & about to be so—these might be of use, as probably they would not be politically troublesome. As for the |brooding fellows| he appears to have got amongst, it will be a mercy if his eloquence avail not to |draft| them to leave America.
In compliance with your desire I have enclosed the account as between you & me, including, Miss Boulier’s up to Christmas, which must be paid when Lizzy returns to School after the Vacation– I hope that you will find it quite correct, but should you require explanations to any of the items pray state them & I dare say I shall be able to satisfy you.
The proposal you have made for Lizzy’s future residence is sufficiently flattering to me to make me very sensible of the great confidence you have in me, notwithstanding I regret to say that I dare not undertake the responsibility– I am not capable of fulfilling the trust, & having failed in my own family, notwithstanding all Lizzy’s amiable qualities, nothing could induce me to venture with regard to another Man’s Child. The greater the regard I have for you & her, the more should be my reluctance to fill such an office. Arabel besides is much from home in the Mornings, attending some Schools or Charities of which she is a Directress, & is only lately returned from a two month visit to one of her Aunts, and during such absenses what Companion could I find for Lizzy; none; as for myself, when literally free from my cough & asthma I am the whole day in the City.
In addition, I see little chance of continuing here, as my means are much reduced, the money lately in hand being nearly expended, as I have been compelled to draw upon it, in consequence of my Estates & Pen last year absolutely costing more than they brought in, & this year I expect that they will leave me a deficit to make good– Under these circumstances I may be under the necessity of moving, whither I know not at present– These reasons together must plead my apology for not receiving a trust desirable to me, but which I feel I should be incapable of performing as I ought, therefore unworthy of me to receive.
If I might suggest, provided you, Lizzy & Mrs Williams would not object, that a home under the latter’s care would be a most desirable thing. Mrs Williams is a superior Person & her Daughters, from what little I have seen of them, companions any Man might covet for his child.
I shall say no more on this subject, only trusting that you will take all I have written in good fact, as I assure you they arise from real affection for you & her, in whom I take an interest nearly equal to your own.
All you say about Jamaica I fully concur in—it is no place for her & must not be thought of for a moment.
Your intentions & sketch for the reduction of the Island Expenditure are most praise worthy, & I do most sincerely hope that the evident consideration, which you have given to the subject may be met by the H. of Assembly in a way to enable you to develope it & finally carry it out. But as you say you will have much to contend with, interested Parties, they who have the vitals of the Country, will move heaven & earth to frustrate your plan of retrenchment, still the Community on whom they feed, feeling the enormity of the expenditure, & seeing the mode to check it must support you, & therefore you need not to despair.
Smith’s scheme for what he calls responsible government is a Job, of which he means to be a Partaker, having reserved to himself the Premiership no doubt– It is quite unfitted for our little community, & I hope that you will kick it out. The Man is a mere theorist–
I am ignorant of Mr Andrews as you can be, therefore can afford no information at all respecting him or his demand.
I have other letters to write, I must therefore say farewell and with best regards to Edward, I am, my dear George
Ys very affecty
E M Barrett
Jany. 10. 1852.
By the Amazon Packet, I sent you the original, which now lies at the bottom of the sea or was burnt before that unfortunate Vessel went down– A Ship that sails tomorrow will take this–
What a Tragedy was that awful event, the particulars, as far as we yet know them, you will see in the Papers
Address: Captn Barrett / The Ramble / Claremont / St Ann’s / Jamaica.
Publication: None traced.
Source: File copy at Eton College Library.
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