SD755. Edward Moulton-Barrett (father) to Adam Cliff
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 3, 326 (in part).
Sidmouth, Devon
Sepr 29. 1832.
Dear Sir
Your letter reached me on the eve of my departure from Herefordshire, since which I have been much engaged & untill to-day have not been able to apply myself in order to make a reply to it–
Altho it must sound somewhat strange to the ears of one not conversant with these matters to be offered this happy alternative of being either Plaintiff or Defendant in a Chancery Suit, I cannot but appreciate the politeness which dictated the intimation your Letter contained & for which I beg to return my acknowledgments–
That I have a disinclination for law is evident from the circumstance of my having foreborne to institute proceedings for the recovery of certain rents due my Aunt, the late Mrs Thompson, as far as I can recollect now, for I cannot immediately lay my hands upon the papers, on account of Negroes, but, if nolens volens, I must embark in this Suit, I will endeavour to acquiesce in that spirit of submission a man assumes when he cannot help him[self]—first simply protesting against it on the ground of the concluding part of your letter, “for at present there is not much probability of your ever taking anything under Mr Thompson’s Will” & therefore as hardly having an interest, fondly imagining I might have been spared all trouble as regards it–
Notwithstanding what I have written above, I beg to intimate that as it has arisen altogether from my own wishes & feelings, & irrespective of all legal advice, so when I go to London, should the opinion of my Solicitor be at issue with my intentions as expressed above, I will again address you on the subject–
I cannot conclude without assuring you that whatever the part may be, you may call upon me to play, you will find me, if I know myself, anxious to do all that is in my power to facilitate the business, being assured that you contemplate nothing but is proper & right & due to yourself & which also will forward the interests of those intrusted to your charge, for whom, as the grandchildren of the late Mr Thompson, a friend & relative to whom I was much attached, I cannot but express my good wishes for their welfare–
I am, Dear Sir
Yr very obdt Sevt
EMB—
Publication: None traced.
Source: File copy at Eton College Library.
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