SD502.1. Richard Barrett (1789–1839) to Mary Barrett Lockhead
Addendum to The Brownings’ Correspondence, vol. 1.
Falmouth
Jany 18. 1825–
My dear Aunt.
It would give me the sincerest pleasure could I make you the remittance you desire on account of my Uncle,—but sorry am I to say that his affairs are in that state, that the funds in my power are sca[r]cely sufficient to keep him in his old age from being molested by his creditors. He is now suffering for his follies & many others must suffer besides himself– I am compelled to add that he is not the wiser for his difficulties, but continues to throw away upon the woman that lives with him & her family the money that ought to be spent in making him comfortable. The poor old man is made to live in the meanest manner that his annuity of 500£ may be saved to buy negroes for this woman– I must not promise you that you will receive any important payments from the old man’s estate for some time– But so soon as there is a decent crop made & the merchants are better satisfied, I may venture to say that I will make you a remittance. But the poverty of the Island is dreadful. Bad as sugar sells rum sells even worse—& scarce any estate can pay the Island contingencies. still less the merchants’ claims & old debts. You think 150£ Stg a mere trifle—& so it was some years ago—but I wd not give £150 for the net proceeds of Blue hole for these two years to come. My Mother will not get her money very easily from Harry Plummer & in a word—even those who can pay—make the general poverty an excuse for keeping their purses shut. it will give me great pleasure to hear that you have quite recovered– As to the quiet of the Island—take my word for it, that there is no danger– The negroes were never better disposed & all that you hear to the contrary comes from ignorant townpeople, & as cowardly as they are ignorant.
Yours my dear Aunt
Most affy
Richd Barrett.
Mrs M B Lockhead
75 Gloucester Place
Portman Square
London
Address: Mrs Lockhead / 75 Gloucester Place / Portman Square / London.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
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