Chippenham ^<1>
10 Oct. 1845

Dear Sir,

I have had an interview with M^r Ward ^<2> and M^r Charles Saunders ^<3> who admit the correctness of M^r Littles Survey and state that M^r Brunel ^<4> was misled by the Ordnance map in coming to the conclusion that the intended Line of Railway would not come within 9/10^ths of a mile from the Abbey: in consequence of the difficulty which this error has occasioned them the Directors have determined to apply to Parliament in the next Session for powers to remedy it, and have so set forth in their Report which was laid before the meeting of the Proprietors on Wednesday last and adopted. Under these Circumstances therefore it seems to be highly desirable on your part to come to some arrangement for disposing of the matter, and they seem willing to meet you in any way they can – and have promised to appoint a meeting between yourself & M^r Brunel as early as possible. Will you be good enough to say whether you wo^d prefer seeing him in Town, or on the Spot?

I remain Dear Sir Your obliged Serv^t
West Awdry

I have paid M^r Tugwell £3. 3. 0 due just now to the Sheriffs Fund from you –

H F. Talbot Esq^r

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Notes:

1. Chippenham, Wiltshire: largest town near Lacock, 3 miles N.

2. Richard James Ward, of Bath.

3. Charles Alexander Saunders (1796–1874), Secretary, Great Western Railway.

4. Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806–1859), civil engineer.