Saturday
My Dear Henry
As you are to vote probably it would be more convenient for you to come up after the Election, and by this time I suppose you know what day it will be. He is more anxious for the safety of the Green Box <1> than in a hurry for it. Yesterday he made no progress, but to day he is a little better again. He has suffered dreadfully with the abscess that formed in that leg.
Lord L. <2> has lent us his house at Richmond, but I know not when he will be able to move into it, not before the 1st august certainly I think, nor even then most likely. The Electors of Calne <3> I hear mean to give their County vote to Sir F. B. <4> this has naturally excited indignation in B. Square but I am for their the Electors following their own fancy, & if it really is for a conservative who can gainsay it? & they cannot be bribed for a County. I hear that Mr M. <5> only goes down to his Son’s <6> funeral at Corsham <7> & does not mean to appear in the Election, which will give a great advantage to Sir Francis. Dont let the Green Box out of your sight
Henry Fox Talbot Esqr
Laycock Abbey
Chippenham
Wilts
Notes:
1. See Doc. No: 03538.
2. Henry Petty Fitzmaurice, 3rd Marquess of Lansdowne (1780–1863), MP, WHFT’s uncle.
3. Calne, Wiltshire, 5 mi NE of Lacock.
4. Sir Francis Burdett (1770–1844), radical MP.
5. Paul Methuen, Baron Methuen (1779–1849), MP.
6. Paul Mildmay Methuen (1814–1837). He died on 16 July 1837.
7. Corsham Court, Wiltshire, 3 mi NW of Lacock: seat of Ld Methuen.