[printed notepaper]
Angel Hotel, Chippenham
Feby 18th 1858
Sir,
I had the honor of your letter of yesterday this morning just as I was on the point of quitting Town for Worcester. I determined to make Chippenham on my way and to avail myself of your kind permission to inspect the settlemt of 1683 which you so obligingly placed at my disposal in this respect. Having done so and found its contents to be what I anticipated I can only report my grateful thanks for the trouble you have taken in the matter and for the kind manner in which you have placed the information in my hands for Lord Talbot.
I regard the settlement as calculated to afford valuable testimony in the elucidation of the truth in the enquiry before the House; and with your kind permission I propose to avail myself of its contents at the next hearing of Lord Talbot’s claim. I have asked Mr Awdry to provide me with a copy of the deed in the meantime in order that I may be able to estimate its bearing properly.
I have left with Mr Awdry a copy Lord Talbot’s Case by which you will see easily the manner in which he claims the Earldom through William of Whittington on the exhaustion of the intermediate (Sherrington) Line.
I have also marked in pencil the position of the heads of the Warfield & Ontley [illegible]for they (Inner) lines on that Pedigree for your information. Referring to the deeds of 1680 1683 & 1685 mentioned in your letter I should be glad if you wd kindly allow Mr Awdry to place their contents before me since they may go to strengthen Lord Talbot’s Case on some point or another.
I have not ventured to intrude upon you at the Abbey not knowing how far it might be convenient or agreeable for you to receive me. But I need hardly to add that I hold myself entirely at your disposal for any information you may desire tendering the case which I have the honor to send.
I beg to remain Sir
Richd Nicholson
[envelope]
H Fox Talbot Esq
Lacock Abbey