Chippenham <1>
Feb 6th 1824
Dear Sir –
I have this morning recd a Letter from Genl Popham’s <2> agent in which he informs me that the Counterpart of the Lease cannot be found & I must therefore be under the necessity of troubling you for the Keys of the Tower, as without producing the Covenant to repair – the General would not be justified (as Executor) in paying for the Delapidations which I have claimed – I shall feel obliged by your giving me a Line when you send the Box, mentioning by what Coach it is sent – in order that I may make immediate enquiries in case it should be delayed –
Respecting the Coppice in the Parish of Melksham <3> which I mentioned at Bowood <4> the other day – I think 30 years purchase should be asked for it – which would produce about £600· besides all Timber that may be growing in it – but as you have not yet seen the Coppice, nor had an opportunity of examining the Map of your Estates in Lacock, so as to see its relative situation with regard to them – I should not feel comfortable in offering it for Sale under these Circumstances & therefore (with your approbation) I propose to defer the further consideration of the subjects, as well as that of the outlying Cottages, till I have next the pleasure of seeing you in England by which time I hope to have a copy made from the large Map, upon a small scale, so as to enable us to refer to it at any time or place, which will be of very great convenience – & I trust it may be done at a moderate expence –
When you write about <illegible> the Keys will you be so obliging as to mention your probable address on the Continent, so long as you may be able to do so – as I may have occasion to write again about this Money for the Delapidations – I will also trouble you to say whether I shall return the Keys to you in Town, or keep them here for the present –
I am Dear Sir
Yr Obliged & Obedt Servt
W. H. Awdry
W. H. F. Talbot Esqr
17. Sackville Street
Piccadilly
London
Notes:
1. Chippenham, Wiltshire: largest town near Lacock, 3 miles N.
2. See Doc. No: 01181.
3. Melksham, Wiltshire: market town near Lacock, 2 miles S.
4. Bowood House, nr Calne, Wiltshire, 5 mi NE of Lacock: seat of the Marquess of Lansdowne.