Wilts, Somerset & Weymouth Railway.
449, West Strand, London,
27 <sic> August 1845
Sir
Your letter of yesterday’s date addressed to Mr Hunt having been handed to me I desire to express my regret, that the completion of the agreement, on behalf of the Company, with yourself has been so long delayed; and I fear a week or ten days will necessarily be required by the Engraver (whom I have this day <seen?>) before the corporate Seal will be ready for use –
Under these circumstances I trust you will kindly facilitate any arrangements it may be in your power to make with the Company [logical and symbol U2227] Resident Engineer, that will enable him to progress with the Works committed to his charge, and in the Mean time you may depend upon my using my best exertions to get the Seal finished as soon as possible; & that being accomplished, no time will be lost in my returning the agreement, in a complete State, to our Solicitors who will transmit it to you –
I am
Sir
Yours very obediently
W: Wood –
W. H. F. Talbot Esq
&c &c &c