SD58. James Scarlett to Edward Moulton-Barrett (father)
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 307 (in part).
Dorking, Surrey
Septr 18. 1806
My dear Barrett
I send you inclosed, a letter from my brother which he sent under cover to me open because it is in effect an answer to my letter which accompanied your power of Atty to him & he was a good deal hurried at the time he wrote. In a subsequent letter however to me he says that RM’s letters to me & to you stating that all the contingencies of this years crops were paid by him except the taxes are not to be relied upon—and then adds these words “The Estates were nearly ruined. In 1804 when they made short crops the cattle were afterwards employed in carrying stones to build a famous wall around the dwelling house, instead of carrying out manure the consequence was that the Cattle were knocked up. The next years Crop being wet they were still more reduced; many died & no manure was carried out for two years upon the Estate that cannot possibly do any thing without it. This is the best account I can get”– In order to replace the Cattle he has been obliged to draw the bills he mentions to you for 1286l but he has drawn them at 12 months date, that they may not be payable until next years crop puts you in Cash. You will find that the Estates have not quite made 600 hhds but thay may make up in this number by the Canes that remain to be cut in the Autumn. As the bills are drawn upon me at the house of Boddn Philips & Sharp I shall send the bills of lading there for the present year unless you object to it, which pray let me know– There are some shipments you will see to New Castle—but even as to those I think it is more for your interest to let them be sold in such a manner as that neither you nor I many have to call upon Mr. Clark for the money. They had best therefore be put into his hands thro’ the means of Boddn P. & Co to whom he will have to account for them. If Clark should say any thing to you about it, you can only say that it is all my doing[.] There is a letter from my brother containing the orders for supplies in which he recommends that a certain part of the herrings may be sent from New Castle & anr part from Whitehaven & the remainder as usual from London. I did intend to have put the orders into the hands of Plummer & Barham, but upon reflection I think it may be as well for the sugars which they will sell this year about 200hhds to go to your credit without any diminution by the supplies. And I shall therefore unless, I hear from you to the contrary put the orders into M Sharps hands who will as usual make the necessary arrangements for shipping the herrings from New Castle & Whitehaven. I am very sorry to hear that the price of sugar gets lower every day– I fear you must take in sail for a year or two– Mrs S. is with me here on a visit to Mr Campbell who has a house in this beautiful County for the summer. She begs to join me in kindest remembrance to Mrs Barrett & I am My Dear Barrett
Ever yours most truly
J. Scarlett
Addressed & franked, on integral page: Dorking September eighteenth / 1806 / E. M. Barrett Esqre / Coxhoe Hall / Durham / C Ellis.
Docket, in the hand of EM-B (father): Sept 18. 1806.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
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