Grittleton House <1>
25 April 1831
My dear Sir
I have great satisfaction in acknowledging the receipt of your friendly letter of yesterday.
It is true, that Mr Pusey <2> does intend to resign the representation of Chippenham; but some of the influential Electors there, upon ascertaining this, signed an invitation requesting my brother in law Captn Boldero <3> (who made himself very popular among the electors at the last Election) to offer himself as a Candidate. This he has agreed to do. Under these circumstances, you must be aware that my relation cannot fail to have my best wishes for his success.
With respect to your allusion to the probability of Chippenham continuing to return two Members, I am happy to have my opinion confirmed in that respect by the high authority referred to in your letter. I was prepared with facts and documents which if the late bill had been discussed in its details in the committee, would, I doubt not, have placed Chippenham in the same secure retention of its franchise as fell to the lot of its fortunate neighbour, Calne; <4> and these materials will, I trust, be found of effectual service, if another occasion to use them should ever arise.
I feel both flattered and obliged by your expression of personal esteem, which I hope you will believe to be reciprocated on my part.
I remain, my dear Sir,
your very faithful Servt
Jos. Neeld
Notes:
1. Northwest of Chippenham, Wiltshire: largest town near Lacock, 3 miles N.
2. Phillip Pusey (1799–1855), agriculturalist.
3. Col Henry George Boldero (d. 1873), Conservative politician; sat for Chippenham in 1831 and from 1835 until his resignation in 1859.
4. Calne, Wiltshire, 5 mi NE of Lacock.