Chippenham ^<1>
14^th Oct. 1830

Dear Sir /

As I fear from what you said upon the Subject this morning, as well as from Captⁿ Feilding’s ^<2> subsequent Remarks, that you are not entirely satisfied with the Agreement which I have made with M^r Spencer, I take the liberty of sending you the Document for your perusal & if, after further consideration you should be of opinion that the Premises might be let to greater advantage, I conceive there will be no impropriety in my informing M^r Spencer ^<3> that such is your opinion –

You will observe that the Agreement is only made for one year & if he is aware of the circumstance, he will, of course, only do such Repairs as are absolutely necessary during that period, & will therefore not be injured by the removal – or, he may, if he prefers it, remain where he is –

I beg to assure you, that my own opinion remains the same, as to the whole Property being let for its value – I am aware that it has been remarked since it has been let, that the Paddock & Garden might have been let for a large Rent & taking the thing in that point of view, it certainly makes the Rent of the House appear low, but I have every reason to think that it might have remained without a Tenant, if I had dissected the Property in that way – & you will probably remember a House of M^r Montagu’s, without any Land, having been uninhabited for years – My Plan in the present instance, has been to endeavour to let the whole Property immediately & for a moderate Rent – without your having any outgoings whatever & upon such terms as would make it the interest of the Tenant, to keep the Premises in good repair – which under all the circumstances, I still hope you may consider the most eligible – but should you think differently, I will lose no time in making M^r Spencer acquainted with it – with a view to other arrangements at the expiration of the first year –

I am Dear Sir y^r obliged H^ble Ser^t
W. H. Awdry

I propose calling at the Abbey on Monday next while I am at the Audit, to submit some Proposals respecting Copyholds, for your consideration –

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Notes:

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

2. Rear Admiral Charles Feilding (1780–1837), Royal Navy; WHFT’s step-father.

3. Dr Henry Spencer (1805-1842), surgeon in Chippenham. [See Doc. No: 01855].