Chippenham
11^th June 1833

Dear Sir,

I deferr'd replying to your Letter of the 6^th Ins^t in order to see if I found any thing on my usual weekly Visit to Lacock, that might require my troubling you upon - All things appear to be going on pretty well & the Contract for the Workhouse / or rather a draft of it / is now before Gale & Banks for their approval- My Son was desired by the Vestry to prepare this Document- The amount to be expended is £466 - & it is satisfactory to find, that another Proposal, made by a Person out of the Parish, was only about £2- less than that made by Gale & Banks-

I am at present negociating with the Solicitors for M^r Spencer's Creditors, on the subject of the House & Premises, which I am very desirous of getting possession of it, if possible, before it they are injured in appearance - for they are at present very neat - & if the Creditors should let the Place, for the time that M^r Spencer could legally hold it, I am afraid it would be all the worse for it - Some Grates & other Articles w^ch the Creditors could legally remove from the House I have offered to purchase, at a Valuation, provided the House is immediately given up - othewise they must take their own course & I must do the same - as it would not do to purchase fixtures & leave the Custody of them to Strangers- the Solicitor told me that there was a small Medical Bill against you in M^r Spencer's Books - something above £2- may I pay it when I settle other Business with him or shall the Bill be sent to you in Town?

When you sign the Conveyance of the Cottage to M^r Haran - be so kind as to desire M^r King to forward it to me & I will then receive the money from M^r Harman & remit the Amount to Hammersleys - w^ch I presume you would wish to have done before you leave England-

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

[Address panel:]
W.H.F. Talbot Esq M.P.
29 Albemarle Street
London