TALBOT2694

Chippenham ¹
8^th May 1833

Dear Sir,

I attended the adjourned Vestry at Lacock yesterday – respecting the Plan of a Workhouse &c – & I have now to report Proceedings, for your consideration –

M^r John Awdry ² was in the Chair – He very much wished that the thing should be deferr’d till it was known, whether the government would be able to do any thing in regard to the Poor Laws – as he said, it appeared to him undesirable to begin any system, just at the Moment when something on a national plan might be looked for & as Lord Althorp ³ had announced that something would be attempted, he thought a Parochial Plan would be likely to work better, if begun in conjunction with one, emanating from government – I believe I have detailed as nearly as possible, the purport of his observations –

on the other hand, M^r Harman ⁴ & the rest of the Vestry thought it most adviseable, [sic] to commence building the Workhouse this Summer – M^r H considered that it was very improbable government would be able to do much in the present Session at all events & he thought under any System that could be proposed, it must be very essential to have a Workhouse in the Parish, in order to check idleness &^c – & Tho^s Moore ⁵ considered that the Money would be well laid out, even to pay interest, for that there was so great a want of House room for the Poor, at present – he was sometimes obliged to put a family who were brought home from another Place, into a public House – as a temporary accomodation & it was considered that the Place House would always fetch the Money expended, if to be let for Cottage residences –

M^r John Awdry was consequently in a Minority of one, w^ch he bore with great good humour & the Vestry would I believe, have proceeded immediately with the consideration of the Contract – but as we had not heard from you since the time when you wished the Contract to be postponed – I did not feel myself satisfied to go further, until I had reported the present Proceedings for your consideration – & M^r Harman being about to go to Town for a few days, said he would endeavour in the mean time to ascertain, whether Ministers had any Plan in contemplation at present & it was finally agreed, to hold another Vestry, on the 27^th Ins^t – when they proposed to decide upon the subject – Previous to this time, they will feel obliged by a communication of your sentiments & they will also I think be glad to receive any report which you may be able to procure as to the intentions of Government on to do anything in the present Session – it may enable them to weigh one against the other w^ch is sometimes advantageous –

I am Sir Y^r obliged Sev^t
W. A. Awdry

W H F Talbot Esq M. P.
29 Albemarle Street ⁶
London