Dear Sir
I beg to forward you a copy of a letter I have received from Mr Brunel being to the same purport as my communication of yesterday
Ever dear Sir yrs truly
Mr Charles King
Lincoln Inn
31 May 1845
WHF Talbot Esq
___________
18 Duke Street Westminster
Great Western Railway
Wilts, Somerset & Weymouth Railway
30 May 1845
Dear Sir,
I have since I had the pleasure of seeing you considered the communication made through you from Mr Talbot – I cannot at all understand how the question of inquiry[?] to Lacock Abbey can be in any way connected with the construction of the Wilts & Somerset Railway which will pass at a mile (or within two hundred yards of a mile) from the House – in cutting – [?] high ground – public roads, and a Village between – but nevertheless I am willing to assure the possibility of my being totally mistaken and on the part of the Company am prepared to make a proposal which I apprehend must be admitted by any body to be most liberal and most favorable to Mr Talbot. I should previously state that the property through which the Railway passes contiguous to Mr Talbot’s land is Lord Methuen’s to whose Park & mansion at Corsham the Great Western Railway passes much closer (within about half the distance) that the proposed line passes to Lacock Abbey and within the last few days I have arranged with Lord Methuen’s Agent for the compensation to be paid for his property – I propose now to leave it to Lord Methuen’s advisor Mr Charles Bailey a Great man of the first standing in his profession, but who has never acted for the Company tho frequently for Noblemen & Gentlemen opposed to the Railway, to act on this occasion as between Mr Talbot & the Company, to determine every question of compensation and Bridges and other accommodation to be afforded
I cannot doubt that this proposal must be in every way satisfactory to Mr Talbot
I am Dear Sir Yours very truly
IK Brunel
WC King Esqr
[?] Room