SD59. James Scarlett to Edward Moulton-Barrett (father)
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 307 (in part).
Guilford St.
Octr 1st 1806
My dear Barrett
I reced your letter on my arrival in town today. I do not think it will appear indelicate towards Mr. C. to ask as I proposed, because the act will be mine—not yours– He will have the sale of the Sugars as before, only he will be compelled to account for them as indeed he ought to have done for the former. And truly I fear that you will have occasion <to need> all your crop of this year & that Mr. C. must w<ait> till the next before you can pay him. My brother had inclosed the bill of lading in a letter to me which went along with my other letters on mere business to Boddington & Sharp. They opened my letters & informed me of the bill of lading to New Castle. I said it must wait your orders. The ship is not yet arrived & therefore if you still retain your opinion you have only to write to me the day or day after you receive this & there will be time enough to get the bill of lading & send it to Clark. But pray address your letter to me at Preston Lancashire where I shall be next week at the Sessions. Remember that I am perfectly indifferent about the matter– My only object being to insure to you the use of the net proceeds, whereas my apprehension is that by your arrangement they would be retained by Mr. C. to satisfy his demand.
I am sorry to tell you that I hear desperate accounts of the Sugar market. I fear that instead of 20l p hd you must be content with 15l[.] Every body complains of the times w<hich> were really never so bad for West India affairs. The money reced for the dividends shall be paid immediately to Rogers & Co for your use. But I shall not be able to receive it for a month to come in consequence of my absence from town when the dividends are payable. The whole amount of the half <yea>rs dividend is 555l out of which the Government will keep 55/10s for the property tax, so then you will get only 499/10s Your mothers annuity falls due next month. How are we to pay it? We must get her to give us a little credit till the Sugars are sold. I met Mr. Moore today by accident—He is very much occupied just now about Mr Fox’s funeral, the arrangements for which are conducted at his office. He says Gilbert has been pressing him again & has employed an Attorney to bother him. I told him to say that you would be in town for a few days in November & then I hoped we might make some final settlement. Adieu My dr Barrett. With best Complmts to Mrs Barrett believe
me yours most truly
J Scarlett
Address, on integral page: Edwd M. Barrett Esqr / Coxhoe Hall / Durham.
Dockets in the hand of EM-B (father): Octor 1. 1806.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
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