Whitehall Gardens
Jan: 19th 1835
confidential
My dear Sir,
I thank you sincerely for the suggestion with which you have favoured me – which you have explained with great clearness.
Much might be said in its favour, but I think it is of more importance – at least it is for me – who am unjustly suspected of some evil design with respect to the Reform Bill, to adhere strictly and scrupulously to its enactments, than to propose even what rational and moderate men might consider as improvements –
No one can say that that system of representation is perfect – which in the present state of public feeling – among the wealth intelligence and respectability of the Metropolitan district – excludes the predominant opinion in that Class from one single representative out of sixteen –
But I fear we must trust to the operation of time – to the gradual conviction that no Government can have an interest in protecting abuses, or resisting the progress of well considered and salutary improvement – we must trust to these – rather than alterations in the Law for a remedy.
A very strong case was stated to me in the instance of the late Election at Carlisle in confirmation of your opinion as to the Justice of leaving each voter to dispose of his double vote as he pleased.
I have [Sir?] [illegible]
Robert Peel
H. F. Talbot Esqr
[envelope:]
H. Fox Talbot Esqr
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham