SD2318. John Altham Graham-Clarke, Jr. to George Goodin Moulton-Barrett
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 27, 339 (in part).
Frocester.
January 9 1860.
My dear George,
Your letter received this morning has come upon me like a thunder-clap, and what is to be the end of these claims upon my Father, I know not. Certainly I never had even a suspicion that any money transactions had ever taken place between my Uncle Barrett and my Father, still less that there was any claim against him. I am just come down from his room, having read your letter to him and he tells me that he believed that all claims were adjusted between my Uncle and himself many many years ago, by my Uncle’s Solicitor in Lincoln’s Inn, but his mind is very much confused on all business matters, and it may be as you say, for I know nothing whatever of the matter.
The question that next arises is “whence this debt is to be satisfied?[”] Clearly not out of the proceeds of the Fenton Estate, which as entailed property belongs strictly to me, (subject only to my Fathers life Interest,) and in case of my decease to my Son, whose Interest I am of course bound to protect. The only available means appears to be by instalment of yearly Interest and this source is already insufficient to meet claims and liabilities already recognized and pressing upon my Father. I have myself to advance him money out of my own pocket & have not the power to do more. Indeed after a hard and unremitting struggle of 20 years to keep out of debt, and in some way to reclaim my position I do feel it a cruel hardship to be swamped by burthens of the very existence of which I am until the last moment ignorant[.] It seems to me that there is to be no end to these troubles. I have however no right to inflict my repining upon you. I am pained beyond measure that such a question should have arisen between us. I am quite sure that you ask from a sense of duty in bringing the matter forward, but I too feel that I have a duty, and that a strong one to my son, having already sacrified in payment of debts of my Father’s, nearly the whole of my paternal Grandfathers Property, I can do no more. The small share of Fenton, belonging to me, is what I have always looked to, for clearing off, the incumbrances put upon this property, or at least, some of them– I shall send a copy of your letter to Mr Clayton, at Newcastle, who will be able to answer any enquiries you may think it your duty to make as to my statement and my Fathers means for discharging the claim you speak of.– I can only say your letter has caused me much pain & has shaken me much. Believe me my dear George
Yours very affectionately
John A Graham Clarke Junr
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
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