Chippenham ^<1>
18^th Dec^r 1832

Dear Sir/

I shall have much pleasure in conveying your message to Lacock relative to the distribution of Bread to the Poor – I consider that it would be impracticable to do it on the 20^th with any reglarity [sic] & will therefore give directions for it to be given away on Christmas Eve & I have no doubt that Phelps ^<2> will readily undertake it in the same way as before –

I have see M^rs Wilmot, who told me that she knew her Husband ^<3> had rec^d your Letter from Calne ^<4> – He is at present engaged in M^r Methuen’s ^<5> Service in regard to the County Election – when that is over, she had no doubt that he would immediately attend to the Contents of your Letter –

I am Dear Sir Y^r Obliged Ser^t
W. H. Awdry

P.S.
The Polling for the County began this Morning & from what I hear, there appears no doubt of M^r Methuen & Sir John Astley ^<6> being returned –

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Notes:

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

2. Philip Phelps, Surveyor of Taxes & Bailiff, Lacock.

3. William Wilmot, jnr, solicitor, Chippenham.

4. Calne, Wiltshire, 5 mi NE of Lacock.

5. Paul Methuen, Baron Methuen (1779–1849), MP, sat for Wiltshire North from 1832–1837.

6. Sir John Dugdale Astley (1778–1842), a Reformer, sat for Wiltshire North from 1820–1835.