Chippenham ^<1>
24^h June 1831

Dear Sir,

M^r Michell ^<2> having completed the Lease & Counterpart for the George Inn at Lacock, I send it the former by one of the Coaches from hence, for your signature & when returned to me, I will get the other executed by Miles ^<3> & receive the Fine for your Acc^t I hope also to get Hayward’s ^<4> Rent in the course of a week or two & will therefore trouble you to mention when you write, to whom I shall pay such amount as I may have in hand –

I have the pleasure to make a favorable report of the reception I have met with from the Persons you wished me to call on – There are about forty names mentioned in your Letter & the result of my Visits up to the present time, is about, as follows – viz –

18 positive Promises
10 most probably
8 have not decided
4 it would be injudicious to press at the present time & as you had called on these, I have not

I have my observations against each name, w^ch I will send at any time, if you wish it before you come next into Wilts – I was at the Abbey yesterday & had the pleasure of seeing the Hay nearly finished & some of the best we have ever made there. I am particularly glad that we happened to make it all for the Abbey this year, the Season having been so favorable & it will consequently be so much cheaper as well as being of such good quality –

M^r Michell has sent me the Deeds relating to M^r Brindleys late Premises & with it, his Account, w^ch I enclose ^<5> in the Parcel now sent – I presume, his reason for doing so is, that he is relinquishing his Profession previous to his intended marriage – which I hear is shortly to take place – would you wish me to pay it? – The expence attending the Lease to Miles, is to be be [sic] borne by him, according to agreement –

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

P. S.
You will have the goodness to sign the Receipt on the back of the deed, also – w^ch is to be witnessed –

W. H. F. Talbot Esq
31 Sackville Street
Piccadilly
London

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Notes:

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

2. Edward Michell, solicitor, Chippenham.

3. Tenant at Lacock.

4. Thomas Hayward (b. 1783), tenant farmer, Wick Farm, Lacock.

5. No enclosure.