TALBOT2153

Private

Corsham House ¹
March 22 1831

Dear Talbot

Many thanks for your kind promise of support when “Time serves” At present I am out of the question.

I went to Chippenham ² after I had been at Lacock talking you over yesterday, and found out neither Neild ³ or his friend have any chance in consequence of opposing Reform.

I only know if I could stand for Chippenham myself, the County being out of the question, I would do so. “How happy could I be with either” but one is as impossible, I found, as the other while I represent Majesty ⁴ itself.

In short I think the chance fair, but you must not lose one moment in leaving London on the receipt of this. Of course as Sheriff I can do nothing openly and this Letter is strictly confidential. Any thing I can do for you in decent secrecy is perfectly at your service on the reciprocal terms of your entire concealment of my exerting myself beyond what I ought to do as Sheriff.

If a Sheriff has a right to do any thing in a Borough Election I shall be most happy to do it for you. I really do not know how this is and only wish to guard myself against the appearance of promising more than I am at liberty to perform

Excuse haste and Believe me Dear Talbot always very truly yrs
Paul Methuen

Fielding, Moore, ⁵ and, I hope, Pamphlet Scrope, ⁶ dine with me today I wish you were here to join us.

To/
Henry. Fox. Talbot Esq^re
31 Sackville S^t
London