TALBOT2079

Friday Night

My dear Henry –

The disturbances ¹ come so near Lacock that I am anxious you should be prepared, as far as you can to resist, or rather to make any attack improbable by being quite ready – There must be many people in the Parish & particularly in the village, ready & willing to defend their Houses &^ca & it would seem therefore to be adviseable to enroll them – tradesmen, shop keepers & Farmers I mean, & such laboring men as can be trusted – next to appoint, signal of alarm, either the church or abbey Bell, & a place of meeting when the alarm is sounded – [illegible deletion] the persons enrolled, should they exceed a certain Number, may be divided, into small parties to be directed by particular individuals – when it is known, that you are all perfectly determined & prepared to defend your property, I feel convinced no attack will be made. – I have been all over the Town to get 2 Police men, to send to you tomorrow morning – but before tomorrow night they cannot go – unless I hear something to make me suppose it unnecessary – they will be at Lacock Sunday Morning early – It will quiet your Mothers ² uneasiness – they will be of great use in organizing your means of defence, & the reputation of having such additional strength, will be of great service, in attracting volunteers to your side – & you can send them off when they are no longer in your opinion necessary – Doubtless it will require a good deal of exertion on your part & energy to overcome the reluctance & timidity, of the people & to induce them to arm & prepare for their defence There is a delay in sending off the special commission owing to Form – which is unlucky –

Y^r aff
C. F