[on deep mourning paper with engraved address:]
Bowden Park
Chippenham
16 Decr 1862
Dear Mr Talbot
I must apologise for not having sooner applied directly to you for your consent as Patron, to the assignment of a separate district to our church on Bowden Hill, I was until today under the impression that Mr West Awdry had made a more [illegible] application to you from me on the subject than I now find he has done. I [illegible] made from the first, Mr Awdry acquainted with all the steps that have been taken in relation to the Scheme and knowing that he considered that it would rather increase than diminish the value of your patronage, I thought we were justified in believing, after some interval that no objection would be made on your part, and as no time was to be lost, in forwarding the necessary Form of application to the Ecclesl Comissioners. I had no idea that any direct action would have been taken in the matter for some time but find by a letter from the Bishop Dr Thomson, that the preparations are far advanced as I conclude he wished the Question to be settled before giving up the Diocese. I trust that your consent will be given, it will be a great advantage to this district to have a permanent Clergyman. The Canal is the proposed Boundary, the population will be rather under 400. and I have applied at the same time to the Ecclsl Commissioners for a Grant to meet the additional £1000 ·· ·· with which I am endowing the Church. and which in fact is part of the proposed arrangement Mr Paley consents to my Nominating the Clergyman.
We hoped to have found you all at the Abbey on our return in Octr. My daughters unite in kind regards to Mrs & the Miss Talbots with
Yours vy truly
J. N Gladstone
[envelope:]
William H F Talbot Esq
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Co. Wilts
11 Great
Stuart St
Edinburgh