Chippenham

3 Jan^y 1864

Dear Sir,

I received the Conveyance of the old Vicarage and have sent it to the Bishop for his signature; when completed I propose to remit the £420 to the Gov^t of Queens Anne <sic> Bounty and ask you to give me a note of hand for the Amo^t till it is convenient to you to pay it off.

I enclose the Advertism^t of the Timber proposed to be sold at Lacock. I hope it will realize over £500 – I am not aware that farmer Cave has cut down any trees which stood in the middle of his arable fields – those marked on the Plan which I submitted to you stood in the hedge rows. Farmer Fry ^<1> has taken down some which stood in the fields near the Abbey, and they are marked for Sale – I have spoken to several persons about the Yew trees, but have not been able to find purchasers for them – I will bear in mind what you say about your assessed taxes –

With regard to the interest on the Mortgage, I made up the interest to the 22^d Sep^r ( where and charged it your <sic> Acc^t) where the Security bears date, from which day the interest will run at £4 per Cent. (£80 half yearly) I will send you a receipt in April next after your Credit, and periodically from that time. I enclose a note from Canon Jackson ^<2> & remain

Your obliged Ser^t

West Awdry.

H F Talbot Esq.

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Notes:

1. A tenant farmer on the Lacock Estate. [See Doc. No: 05370 and Doc. No: 06891].

2. John Edward Jackson (1805–1891), antiquary &author.