4 Harries St. Strangeways
Manchester
Feby 3d 1854
Dear Sir,
It is now nearly twelve Months since I wrote to you respecting your Patent right for taking Portraits on paper in Manchester, at which period from pecuniary circumstances owing to illness I could not entertain your claim. Since that time I have been struggling with miniature painting, but I am sorry to say with little success owing to your beautiful invention superceding [sic] it so much. –
The purport of my communication to you now is, to know if you will so far favor me by granting me the privilege to practise it for a few months in order that I may get a suitable Gallery built and make the same known by advertising &c after which period I hope I shall be enabled to remit you your claim.
If the above proposal should meet with your approbation, an answer at your earliest convenience will be esteemed a favor, and stating at what month forward I may have your permission to.
I am Sir Your most obedt Servt
Walter Petty
To:
H. Fox Talbot Esqre
[envelope:]
H. Fox Talbot Esqre
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wilts.