Chippenham ^<1>
2 July 1836

Dear Sir,

I send you a Copy of a letter just received from Alford – Your letter to which he refers distinctly states that £1356 – was exclusive of what might be due for Dilapidations, consequent [illegible deletion] my last letter could have been creat[ed] no “surprize” – As I have occasion to go to Dorchester next week I purpose taking Salisbury in my way, and should be glad if you would favor me with your instructions by return of post directed to me at the White Hart Inn, Salisbury – I will, if you approve, agree to sell the Advowson^<2> for £1200 – taking Security for the Dilapidations payable when ascertained & recovered – but I will thank you to name the lowest Sum at which you will sell in case they decline purchasing at the Sum I have named – £1200 – I hope to be at Salisbury on Monday Evening and to hear from you on Tuesday Morning –

I am Dear Sir Your faithful & obliged Ser^t
West Awdry

[enclosure]

(Copy.)

Salisbury
July 1 – 1836

D. Sir,

I confess I was somewhat surprized at the contents of your letter received this Morning for I had collected from M^r Talbots letter of the 15^th ins^t addressed to you a Copy of which you on the same day forwarded to M^r Finch, ^<3> that the price required for the Advowson was £1356 – You now require £1500 – not withstanding I clearly pointed out to you in my Letter of Sunday last that £1356, even adopting M^r Talbots own mode of Calculation (tho’ not its data) by far exceeds the real value –

I do not consider that the subject of Dilapidations should be matter of Calculation in the purchase of the Advowson as it must necessarily be a subject of arrangement only between the Representatives of the present Incumbent and his Successor.

In addition however to the Sum I have offered you, namely £1000 – there will be no objection to engage to pay to M^r Talbot a Sum equivalent to the amount to be hereafter recovered for Dilapidations, but of course the payment of that Sum must be deferred until after the Dilapidations have been ascertained and recovered and must be paid to M^r Talbot by the Purchaser of the Advowson and not by the Succeeding Incum[bent] who co^d not be bound by any such Terms –

I am S^r
I. L. Alford –

West Awdry Esq^r

H. F. Talbot Esq
31 Sackville St^t
Piccadilly
London

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Notes:

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

2. The advowson of Fisherton Anger, Salisbury, Wiltshire. WHFT had inherited the advowson (the right to present a new Rector to St Clement's Church) from his father, Davenport Talbot, and held it until 1849. The new Rector would enjoy the income and assets of the living, including the Rector's house.St Clement's was demolished in 1852 and parts of it were incorporated into the new St Paul's Church.

2. George Finch (1794–1870), JP & MP.