Chippenham <1>
4th July 1829
Dear Sir,
Mr Michell <2> has minutely examined the Act of Parliament relating to the Wilts & Berks Canal & I am sorry to report that he is decidedly of opinion you have no power to eject the Company from your Gravel Pit while they can find materials for reparing <sic> the Canal – it appears that they are obliged to pay the owner of the Land such reasonable compensation for damage as may be agreed upon between the Parties & if they can not agree, it is to be referred to a Jury & you may compel the Company to purchase the Land, but considering the Situation of this Land you would, I am sure think a Remedy worse than the disease –
Under all the Circumstances of this case, Mr Michell advises that you should accept the 50 Guineas pr acre wch the Company offer for compensation & which, (as far as it goes) is certainly liberal & we may hope that in the course of a few years, they will (as in other instances) leave the spot for some other Fields wch may be nearer to the Repairs then wanting & when once they are fairly got rid of it will be easy to keep them away from all Lands contiguous to the Abbey by making Plantations in such Lands, as anything in the nature of a shrubbery or pleasure ground, is exempt, make the Act – With regard to letting Inlands Farm, – I think, as there is no necessity for hurry, it will be better to defer advertizing it till a later period of the Summer by which time we may hope that some plan may be devised for employing the Poor & thereby lowering the Rates – it will also afford time for ascertaining whether Crocker is to retain the stock on the Farm for there is a report that the Deed of Gift will be disputed. –
When you have considered the Plan which I suggested in my last Letter, of letting a Field or two to the Parish I shall be obliged for your sentiments thereon & I will communicate them to Moore <3>. –
I am Dear Sir
Yr Obliged & Obed Sert
W.H. Awdry
W.H.F. Talbot Esqr
Notes:
1. Chippenham, Wiltshire: largest town near Lacock, 3 miles N.
2. Edward Michell, solicitor, Chippenham.
3. Thomas Moore (possibly d. 1854), member of the Lacock Parish Vestry.