Talbot Correspondence Project: HARMAN Ezekiel to TALBOT William Henry Fox

Bowden Park ^<1>

12^th Feb^y 33

Dear Sir

I have received a most satisfactory letter from M^r M^c Adams ^<2> telling me I could not have applied to him at a more propitious time having the very Man by him for our purpose and though well meant (has rather prematurely) sent him down not waiting my reply. I have therefore proposed to M^r Moore ^<3> either to set him on the roads at once or call a vestry instanter his reply to the latter was that he waited your letter from Uley. ^<4> to this I made no reply but felt it a duty to proceed with some measure as a source of employment for the working poor and can find no plan better than beginning on Nash Hill ^<5> which has long required attention and is decidedly indictable if you chose to do so – I would therefore recommend that as the first object and I will accordingly give my attention to the job –

Since you left our neighbourhood I have endeavoured to gain information relative to your plan of removing the poor to Uley and from all I can enlist it appears we shall encounter many difficulties a heavy expence <sic> and create general dissatisfaction and I am confirmed in my opinion as to the illegality of the measure by two legal men notwithstanding I would submit it to a general vestry and learn their sentiments on the subject if it suits your approbation will you therefore have the goodness to give me your sentiments on both these points as early as you can with convenience as I am desirous of taking advantage of M^r M^c Adams man

waiting your reply

I am D^r Sir
Yours most truly

Ez. Harman

I have been <most?> <illegible> circumstanced with yourself five or six men having got beastly drunk over a draining job these were parish men

Notes:

1. Bowden Park, Wiltshire, 1 mi SE of Lacock.

2. John Loudon McAdam (1756–1836), Scottish engineer, inventor of process for consolidating the road surface with small stones, especially when bound by tar (Macadamisation; hence tarmac).

3. Thomas Moore (possibly d. 1854), member of the Lacock Parish Vestry.

4. Parish and village in the Cotswalds, county of Gloucestershire.

5. Nash Hill, also Naish Hill, a hill and farm 1 mi NE of Lacock, Wiltshire.