Chippenham <1>
14 July 1831/
Sir,
I have the pleasure of forwarding you a Petition which was adopted at a Public Meeting held at this Place yesterday and which it was resolved should be presented by one of the County Members –
I could have obtained many more Signatures had the time allowed, but am afraid of delaying beyond this Eveng. to send it up –
A Petition was this Morning received here from Mr Neeld <2> with a request that it might be signed and returned him as early as possible – There It does not appear to me to contain any thing of importance which yours does not, after shewing the relative importance of this Place and Calne <3> and by referring to the Return made to the House in July last, and stating the amount of Parochial Assessments borne by this parish beyond Calne it complains of the hardship of this place losing one of its Representatives whilst Calne is to retain two – Mr Neeld has been informed that a Petition has been already adopted and generally signed which will probably induce him to abandon his own –
Hoping that the accompanying one may have the desired effect, and thanking you for the trouble you have been good enough to take about it (in which I believe the Town generally joins me)
I have the honor to be, Sir
Your very obedt Sert
West Awdry
W. H. F. Talbot EsqrW. H. F. Talbot Esqr.
Notes:
1. Chippenham, Wiltshire: largest town near Lacock, 3 miles N.
2. Joseph Neeld (1789–1856), MP & botanist.
3. Calne, Wiltshire, 5 mi NE of Lacock.