Supporting Documents

SD73.  Edward Moulton-Barrett (father) to Philip Scarlett

Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 307 (in part).

March 29. 1807–

My dear Sir

Your last letter has made me happy in assuring me of the perfect recovery from Spencers management, the Estates are likely to receive in the course of two or three years. I was also glad to hear that Mr Moulton’s accounts may probably be settled in a short time; I confess when I think of it, I am astonished to find I am at all indebted to him and that there is not even a balance in my favor, considering the large crops the Estates made during the time he had possession and the very small sums of money that were paid into your Brothers hands as the sales of those crops, it is to me unaccountable, but I suppose his papers and Banks will explain all. I agree with you that I owe Dale considering her connection had better be disposed of, but I presume from what you say of the necessary interferency of the house of Assembly there will be expenses attending her sale and since it is nominally to oblige Mr Moulton, you will of course think it proper he should defray them. With respect to his other proposition We must decline it, for I am really poor from setting up house and various other expenses and really the state of West Indian affairs do not tempt one much to lay out money in Jamaica. We all flatter ourselves here in soon seeing a termination to our miseries and difficulties[.] The papers speak of a defeat of the French and a retreat of Bonaparte from Warsaw to Berlin and like slaves, wretches that catch at every straw would promise ourselves that his tyranny will soon close and the golden age must revive, but for my part I am not so sanguine, God knows where it will end. With best respect to Mrs S. I remain My dear Sir

Yrs most truly

E.M.B.

Publication: None traced.

Source: File copy at Eton College Library.

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