[blind stamp:] Bowden Park
24 Jan^y 1851

My dear Talbot

If the Ch. of Exchequer will do nothing to help us from [illegoble], we must give off at him every missile that will come to hand: and Tobacco, & Beet must be pelted at him. This year, being that of the Renewal of the Income Tax, is the very reason for projectiles of all sorts.

I being a protectionist despairing of Protection, am ready to hang draw & quarter any morcel of Public Revenue which I can lay hands upon. So your Letter and the Times combined with shall be laid up in the Packet of Ammunition, which I carry to London 10 days hence.

I even have a Letter from Merewether, which I have received this Morning: it concerns you chiefly, and I think you will be pleased to find that you have done a kindness to a person who is sensible of it. When ever you make his acquaintance, you will find him fat facetious and good humoured in a more than common degree.

yours vy truly
T H S Sotheron

[envelope:]
H. Fox Talbot Esq
Abbey
Lacock