Chippenham <1>
23d Feb. 1832
Dear Sir,
I shall have pleasure in attending to your wishes respecting the new district intended to be added to the Borough of Chippenham – my reason for writing immediately, is to suggest that it would be very desirable for you to write to Mr Ashe <2> before I am seen at Langley – He is the principal Proprietor of that Parish & I think he would appreciate the compliment if his Interest was requested before his Tenants were applied to upon the subject – Whether my Ideas are right or wrong, I am sure that you will excuse my stating them & therefore I do so without hesitation in the hope of its being of service –
I remember your calling at Harnish during the last Election & therefore presume that Mr Clutterbuck <3> is aware of your intentions – He is almost the sole Proprietor of Harnish as you probably know – Pray give me a a <sic> few lines on the subject of Langley in the course of this Week & I shall then be prepared with my answer in that Parish, in case I should have to make them – as I feel that territory to be rather ticklish ground to tread upon & am therefore the more anxious to begin safely –
I am Dear Sir
Yr Obliged Servt
W. H. Awdry
His address is
the Revd Robt Ashe
Langley Burrell <4>
Chippenham
W. H. F. Talbot Esq
31. Sackville Street
Piccadilly
London
Notes:
1. Chippenham, Wiltshire: largest town near Lacock, 3 miles N.
2. Rev Robert Ashe.
3. Thomas Clutterbuck (1779–1852).
4. Langley Burrell, 2 miles NNE of Chippenham.