7 Eaton Place South

9^th Ap: 1858

My dear Sir

I have laid your letter of the 1^st before Mess^rs Sarl and the result is that they are not inclined to entertain the proposition upon the terms mentioned by you altho they are obliged to you for having made them the offer – Matters of this description are in a very unsettled state just now owing to condition of the Iron trade and they are not therefore at present desirous of extending their operations in Wiltshire – I may mention that they consider the quantity of land far too small & the royalty & toll too high – even if the railway were satisfactorily laid down.

I propose running down to Melksham on tuesday or Wednesday and if convenient I would do myself the pleasure of calling upon you –

Yours faithfully

George Cottrell