SD843. Robert Chapman to Joshua Rowe
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 3, 335 (in part).
Cinnamon Hill
26th Decr 1837–
Sir,
Although prepared for the painful intelligence contained in your letter of the 23 rd yet the loss of one from whom I have experienced so much kindness, is not the less severely felt. Death has deprived me of a kind friend, whose memory I shall ever regard with the warmest gratitude.
In accordance with your directions I have taken possession of, & sealed up, every thing of the least importance; but more particularly all papers, books of accounts &c[.]
Having had the late Mr Barrett’s instructions to pay weekly sums to certain persons employed by him at the Bay, I was last week obliged, in default of other funds, to appropriate to that purpose part of the purchase money of Eliz. Kitchen (£33/5/–); this I hope will be sufficient excuse for not complying with your directions to pay it into the Bank. That sum, together with others which I have at different times received, will be accounted for by me whenever requested. I suppose I must continue to pay the Estate’s usual weekly contingences, until I receive directions from Mr Farquharson on the subject.
I am sorry that you should have thought it necessary to caution me, particularly in so emphatical a manner, against giving the negroes a dance. I trust that my sense of propriety, to say nothing of any other feeling, would have effectually restrained me from permitting a display of mirth, which even a slight & temporary sickness of my late lamented employer, would render unseemly; much less could I permit it, with the consciousness that he was believed to be on the bed of death; & to suffer such a thing, when informed that he was a corpse, would be an outrage against decency, which, as I could wish to stand higher in your estimation, I regret that you should have thought me capable of[.]
I enclose Mde Detry’s answer to Lady Rowe; besides which she requests me to express in the strongest terms, her grateful sense of the interest you so kindly take in her, & her fears that you will misunderstand her motives for declining the advantageous offer which you make her.
After making every allowance for the extravagant expression of a Frenchwoman’s feelings, her grief for the loss of her husband & child appears to be excessive & deeply seated; she seems perfectly indifferent about any worldly advantage; which all her wishes centre in the one object of being allowed to remain here; she does not wish for any salary, and will apply her services in any way that may be required of her, so that this, her only wish, may be acceded to. With a view to her benefit I have done all I can to prevail on her to change her foolish resolution; but I have been obliged to desist; for she implores me in frantic terms to take her part, & not let her be removed from the spot where her husband & child rest: and I could only calm her by assurances that I should be able to prevail on Mr S Barrett to allow her to remain.
She is still very weak; and perhaps as her strength is restored she will take a more deliberate and sensible view of her situation; but at present her objection to quit this place appears to be insuperable.
Begging you will pardon my having <tres>passed so long upon your time, I have the honor to remain, Sir,
Your very respectful & most Obt Servt
Robt Chapman
To Sir Joshua Rowe.
Address, on integral page: To Sir Joshua Rowe / Spanish Town.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
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