[draft:]

I h^ve decided not to disp^se w^h either of y^e 3 b^gs –

I cons^t to y^e posⁿ of y^e bridge ment^d referred to in y^r letter of y^e 23^d inst. because such a that the posⁿ app^rs to me on considⁿ to be a suitable one.

With respect to the posⁿ of y^e 2 other bridges I have understood (being myself at presently exceedingly occupied) I have decided upon giving an authority to M^r West Awdry, either to consent to them, or not to consent, accordingly as he thinks they are well placed for the interest of the estate or not so. M^r W. Awdry is a most intelligent party man You could not have the benefit of a more enlightened judgment than his and if he objects to your situations it will be for good and valid reasons – These he will Should he decide that your positions are inexpedient, he will then of course point out & write to me to send downa surv call upon the Company to construct the bridges in other positions –

With respect to an obsⁿ in y^r letter ab^t M^r Little, I can only give you the agent answer I gave before. M^r Little was not my agent. He never recd ye slightest authority fm me about the bridges. He has called upon me & assured me, that he never gave any his a consent to any plans either we your proposed arrangements

And that if you fell into that that error, it was no fault of his, and he gave you no occasion for it was not respons^ble for it. – He had with you, he says, a mere friendly conversatⁿ – This being the case may I request of you that this

Hoping that the result of M^r W. Awdry’s examⁿ [illegible] may be satisfactory to all parties, & not doubting that in the year we prepared for

The Agreement I hold under the Company’s seal gives me clear rights & indisputable rights, & I trust I may look for perfect good faith on the part of the Company – Hoping that y^e result of M^r W. Awdry’s examⁿ may be satisf^y to all parties concerned

I remain

P.S. May I request you to send this letter or a copy of it to the [illegible] your Solicitor M^r H.G.Awdry.

May I beg to Will you give me leave to enquire wh^r it is y^e intentⁿ of y^e Company ⁺

⁺to build a bridge for M^r Burgess, whose land the railw^y passes thro’ next after mine an answer by return of post will oblige

[expanded version]

I have decided not to dispense with either of the three bridges

I consent to the position of the bridge mentioned referred to in your letter of the 23^rd instant because such a that the position appears to me on consideration to be a suitable one.

With respect to the position of the two other bridges I have understood (being myself at presently exceedingly occupied) I have decided upon giving an authority to M^r West Awdry, ^<1> either to consent to them, or not to consent, accordingly as he thinks they are well placed for the interest of the estate or not so. Mr West Awdry is a most intelligent party man. You could not have the benefit of a more enlightened judgment than his and if he objects to your situations it will be for good and valid reasons – These he will Should he decide that your positions are inexpedient, he will then of course point out and write to me to send down a surveyor call upon the Company ^<2> to construct the bridges in other positions –

With respect to an observation in your letter about M^r Little, ^<3> I can only give you the agent answer I gave before. Mr Little was not my agent. He never received the slightest authority from me about the bridges. He has called upon me and assured me, that he never gave any his any a consent to any plans either we your proposed arrangements.

And that if you fell into that that error, it was no fault of his, and he gave you no occasion for it was not responsible for it. – He had with you, he says, a mere friendly conversation – This being the case may I request of you that this Hoping that the result of M^r W. Awdry’s examination [illegible] may be satisfactory to all parties, & not doubting that in the year we prepared for

The Agreement I hold under the Company’s seal gives me clear rights and indisputable rights, and I trust I may look for perfect good faith on the part of the Company – Hoping that the result of Mr W. Awdry’s examination may be satisfactory to all parties concerned

I remain

P.S. May I request you to send this letter or a copy of it to the pers your Solicitor M^r H. G.Awdry. ^<4>

May I beg to Will you give me leave to enquire whether it is the intention of the Company to build a bridge for M^r Burgess, ^<5> whose land the railway passes through next after mine an answer by return of post will oblige

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Notes:

1. West Awdry (1807–1892), solicitor, Chippenham.

2. The Great Western Railway.

3. Robert D Little, land surveyor, Chippenham.

4. Henry Goddard Awdry (1804–1881), solicitor, Chippenham.

5. Rev Henry Burgess (1808–1886), Scottish author.