Dear Sir,
Although I have not the most remote idea that your interest here can be in any way affected by the New Candidate whom this <within?> handbill announces, I think you may perhaps like to know “who’s in the Field” and therefore take the liberty of sending it for your perusal. Mr Mayne <1> is a Barrister living Nr Hindon in this County –
If I can be of any service to you in your Cause here I beg you will command me – My father <2> is gone into Yorkshire for a fortnight –
I am Dear Sir Yours faithfully & obliged
West Awdry
Chippenham <3>
12 March /32
<enclosed handbill>
TO THE Loyal and Independent Inhabitants OF THE BOROUGH OF CHIPPENHAM AND THE PARISHES OR HAMLETS Of Langley-Burrell, Hardenhuish, Pewsham, Allington, Stanley, & Tytherton.
GENTLEMEN,
In the prospect of your Restoration by our Gracious Sovereign and his Honest and Patriotic Ministers to the full enjoyment, and enlargement of the Elective Franchise, I beg leave respectfully to present myself to your notice as a Candidate for the high honor of representing you and the interests of our common Country in the first Reformed Parliament.
As an Inhabitant of Wiltshire, I have ever felt Indignant at the many encroachments made upon the rights and liberties of the people, and at the state of thraldom in which the Borough representation of the County has been held, sympathizing most sincerely with those who have been persecuted for voting conscientiously.
It is, I believe, well known that through evil and good report I have ever been the friend of Civil and Religious Liberty, and of that Constitutional Reform which the accumulated errors of ages, and the increasing Intelligence of the times, have rendered necessary in all the affairs both of Church and State.
It will be my endeavour to abolish Sinecure places and undeserved Pensions, and to enforce economy (so far as is consistent with the safety of the State) in every department of the Public Service, being most anxious to relieve the labouring and industrious classes, altogether from those Taxes which most grievously oppress them, such as those on Malt and Soap, and to reduce the amount paid on Tea, Sugar, and other Exciseable Articles.
I also think it necessary to relieve the labourer and Tradesman by the Repeal of the whole of the Assessed Taxes, and to substitute instead a graduated Property Tax, which falling on the rich and affluent would not materially diminish their comforts, although it would afford immense relief to the poor and necessitous.
In short, I am desirous that all classes should share in comfort and security, the many blessings which divine Providence has bestowed upon us, ---and should I be so fortunate as to obtain your confidence, and support, on the day of election, you may rely on my persevering exertions in the arduous duties of an upright Member of Parliament. And I beg to assure you that next to the great Interests of the nation, I shall feel bound to promote your own, both as a Legislator, a Neighbour, and a Friend.
Grateful for the flattering reception which I have already experienced from many spirited and highly respectable Individuals of this Town, I have the honor to remain,
Gentlemen, Your faithful and devoted Servant,
JOHN THOMAS MAYNE,
Of Teffont House, near Hindon.
Chippenham, March 12th,
Richard Alexander, Printer.
H. F. Talbot Esq
31 Sackville Street
Piccadilly
London
Notes:
1. John Thomas Mayne.
2. William Henry Awdry (1778–1847), solicitor, Chippenham.
3. Chippenham, Wiltshire: largest town near Lacock, 3 miles N.