Raybridge ^<1>

Dec 20^th 1830

My dear Sir

In compliance with your wishes we have at a meeting held this morning agreed though not unanimously to give the Contributors 25 instead of 12 and ½ per Cent. for this year only; unless we find by experience from the contributions we can afford to continue it without taking from the relief of the old and sick and decrepid <sic> who can subscribe nothing and who from their sufferings and helplessness, are without any comparison the first Objects of Charity – We have done this contrary to the practice of the Melksham ^<2> & other Societies after which it has been formed, and which have been found fully to answer their intention – There is one consequence attending the giving a large return, that persons not in a state of poverty, may lodge their money for the sake of the exorbitant Interest to be received – When seven Magistrates are met together there will always be some difference of opinion, which if the sacrifice is not very material must end in a compromise. Generally, I approve of the Scale we have made for the Poor as a temporary Measure, but I trust there will be some County if not National System adopted without which there will be in some Districts discontents if not convulsion. We are perfectly quiet to which I have no doubt your kind words and kind Acts have greatly contributed – Pray present our best respects to your family and believe me –

Yours very sincerely

John Awdry –

I have added the Sum in hand after about 4^£ expences deducted, and the amount of deposits to shew you the impossibility of doubling the money deposited –

		£	s	d
Subscriptions	–	20	– 11	– 0
Donations	–	22	– 8	– 0
	£	42	– 19	– 0
Deduct	–	4	– 0	– 0
Remains	–	38	–19	– 0

Amount of Deposits to the end of Dec^ber 1830 40 – 0 – 0

W: H: Fox Talbot Esq^r
N^o 31 Sackville Street
London –

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Notes:

1. Reybridge, Wiltshire, 1 mi N of Lacock.

2. Melksham, Wiltshire: market town near Lacock, 2 miles S.