To Henry Fox Talbot Esqr
Sir
A letter from Mr Awdry of Chippenham <1> has reach’d me here by which I learn you had received my application respecting a Debt due to my late husband <2> from the Estate of your late Father which Debt you cannot acknowledge, but Sir if you would take the trouble to make enquiry respecting it of Lady Elizabeth Feilding <3> I feel certain there could not be a doubt of your being perfectly satisfied on that head, tho so many years Past the circumstance on which the Debt was contracted, could not have escap’d her memory; indeed, indeed Sir on reading Mr A’s letter I was greatly disappointed, for I had flatter’d myself as I had lade [sic] claim only to amounts of the Acct (not naming anything of the loss of Interest thereon for so many many years, which would far exceed the Principal itself) that you could not would nor would not have declin’d the payment of it, tho I am fully aware I have no legal claim on you for the payment, but in such a case as this I appeal not unto Law but unto Equity, and from the clear proofs I had given you of the circumstance, I did not abandon the hope (until the receipt of Mr Awdry’s letter) of being favor’d with the whole amount of the Principal of the Debt with truth I assure you Sir, since I became a Widow I have sustain’d very heavy and unexpected losses and cannot view this with indifference, should it be added – but I will yet hope you may feel dispos’d to reconsider my case and as the adjustment of this claim in some way would be a very great releif [sic] to my mind, permit me Sir to make a Proposal for your Agent paying me instead of 20£ to remit me 50£, which will be to me a great sacrifice under my circumstances of so many losses, however in the peculiarity of this case I shall be satisfied with such an Arrangement & shall feel gratefull [sic] for your Acquiescence therein in the Event of your agreeing to this Proposal I shall be much oblig’d Sir by your directing your Agent to remit the said sum to my friend Mr Jn Ireland Rogers at No 17 in Westgate St Bath whose Receipt shall be your full discharge for my claim – he has been a very kind freind [sic] to rec[eive] or pay for me any Monies during this my absence from Bath, being now with a neice [sic] in the Country to which Place he has sent me your letter as directed to do before I left Bath, but considering the inconvenience of not having a receipt immediately for your satisfaction if paid into the hands of Mr Alexander or of Dr Wm Sainsbury <4> of Corsham it would be more convenient to your Agent and their receipt perhaps more satisfactory to you & quite so to myself, knowing them both well – whatever indulgence you may please to allow me Sir, it will thankfully [sic] receiv’d by
your obedient Servt
Elizth Trimnell
Jany 14 – 1831
To
Henry Fox Talbot Esqr
Lacock Abbey
near Chippenham
Wilts
18 Brunswick Terrace <5>
Brighton
Notes:
1. Chippenham, Wiltshire: largest town near Lacock, 3 miles N.
2. Charles Trimnell (d. ca.1828).
3. A misspelling for Lady Elisabeth Theresa Feilding, née Fox Strangways, first m Talbot (1773–1846), WHFT’s mother.
4. Dr William Sainsbury (d. 1841), medical practitioner.
5. Readdressed in another hand.