SD752. Sam Lugg to Edward Moulton-Barrett (father)
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 3, 326 (in part).
Cambridge Estate.
28th August. 1832.
Dear Master,
As the trustee Mr Reynolds says he cannot, without your authority, agree to my manumission, I am advised by your brother to write at once to yourself, both to save time & to have a |written| answer. I do hope that my conduct has been always such to merit the good word of every person who has acted as your attorney in this country. I have for a great many years been a head cooper, kept my spell alternately with the bookkeepers in Crops in the boiling house & been trusted by the overseer in various ways. During the late disturbance, the estate, in the absence of every white person, was principally under my charge. As my health is not good, I do beg that you will consent th<at> I should take advantage of the will, a copy of which I enclose to you. The sum allowed is £200. which I hope you will consider sufficient: it is not my wish to quit the estate, for if I do so, I should be separative from my family: but my only wish to be free is that I may not be subject to be hardly treated in case you should change your present attorney or a new overseer should come upon the property. I am sure if it depended upon your brother, my request would be instantly complied with, as he says “he will never keep a man a slave who can buy his own freedom.” It would be hard to punish me for my good conduct, which would be the case if I was refused my manumission, because I was so much trusted before upon the estate & was otherwise so useful. I trust dear master, you will feel for me & will immediately write to Mr Reynolds, or to your brother to free me for the £200.
I am, Dear Master,
your faithfull servant,
Sam Lugg
his mark X
To–
Edward B. M. Barrett Esq
Address, on integral page: Edward B. M. Barrett Esq: / Sidmouth / Devonshire.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
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