TALBOT244

Winter Villa ¹
Stonehouse
Plymouth
Jan. 23^d

My dear Uncle Henry

My Father, ² instead of dictating to you in his own name, has begged me to write & send you the enclosed – Lord Talbot ³ h is an old friend of his, & he could not therefore refuse to name the subject to you – but if it be true that you are reluctant to give the deeds – he, in ignorance of your motives can have nothing to say upon the subject – Independent however of his desire to further Lord Talbot’s wishes, he cannot help himself feeling desirous that the property in question should be administered by a protestant rather than expended upon the papistical objects to w^h so much of it was devoted by its late possessor – Each day furnishes more astonishing instances of the incomprehensible advance of conversions to that faith – I do not know where you now are but will send this to my Mother ⁴ to forward – She is in London for the wedding festivities –

I have also been up there, & attended two entertainments at the palace – but came back here yesterday to stay with my Father during the absence of all the rest of the family.

Please give my love to Aunt Constance ⁵ & my cousins – who are I hope flourishing & believe me

Y^r aff^te nephew
Valletort

Instead of sending you the letter reffering [sic] to Lord Talbot’s case, I have merely copied out the necessary part, as my Father has been requested to return the letter itself without delay –

It is from a lawyer employed by Lord Talbot – who says:

"I have discovered another form of evidence which is very important for us to get – It is a settlement, dated in 1683, on the marriage of a son of Sir John Talbot ⁶ of Lacock, & is, I have every reason to expect in the hands of M^r Fox Talbot of Lacock Abbey who is a descendant of Sir John’s in the female line – the son of Sir John’s daughter having taken the name of Talbot."

I must add that I know my Father would be very happy to hear that his intervention has been successful & that you have been able to assist Lord Talbot in this matter.