My dear Sir,
It is very probable that you may shortly be called on to support the prayer of a petition to the Ho. of Commons, for a repeal of our local Act for the management of the poor <1> of this parish and to substitute other provisions in lieu of it –
This petition is no doubt a very respectable one but it is nevertheless in direct opposition to the decision by a very great Majority of a parish Vestry on this subject held here a fortnight since and as I feel convinced the proposed Measure will be injurious to the great body of the rate payers and to the poor themselves I hope you will allow me to request that at least for the present you will have the goodness to withold [sic] your Support to the proposed new bill
It really seems absurd to have local parish legislation altered [illegible deletion] which has existed 40 Years in the very face of the Government promise by Lord Althorp <2> last week that a General measure would be soon introduced to improve the whole System but when Lawyers are concerned you & I know they must be paid
The two legal Gentlemen who may probably apply to you for Support are Mr Bond <3> of Bath and Mr Stone[?] of this place but as I said before I hope you will not promise them –
Yours faithfully
T. H. Saunders
Bradford Wilts
17 Feb 1834 –
[envelope:]
W. H. Fox Talbot Esq.
M.P.
31 Sackville St
London
Notes:
1. See Doc. No: 02810.
2. John Charles Spencer, Viscount Althorp, 3rd Earl of Spencer (1782–1845), politician, leader of the House of Commons and chancellor of the Exchequer from 1830 to 1834.
3. See Doc. No: 02870.