TALBOT2786

Chippenham ¹

4^th Feb^y 1835

Dear Sir,

I was aware that M^r Clark intended to apply to you upon the subject of his Rent – as he has mentioned it to me, more than once & I understood that the chief ground of his application, was the great difference of in the price of Farm Produce since the time of his entering upon the Estate – I fear that this is very considerable, as far as it may affect the Rent – & that it will be necessary to consider the subject. Clark is so good a Farmer that I am confident he can afford to give as good a Rent as the Estate is worth, & therefore, that you may not risk the loss of such a Tenant, I will, with your permission, before giving him any answer, take the opinion of some disinterested Person, as to the present Value of the Estate – & it is in such a good state of repair & of cultivation, that I have no fear of letting it for its full value, with reference to the price of Produce – We have all the summer before us, for this purpose – as there could be no notice necessary on either side before Mich^{s 2}next – & by that time you may be enabled to judge whether the Rent is, or is not, too high –

I have for many years past employed a Tailor at Melksham ³ named <Fricker?> – who is also employed by half a dozen other Awdrys, at least – & we consider him a very good Tailor & very reasonable –

I am Dear Sir
Y^r Obliged Sv^t

W. H. Awdry

P.S.
I have said, as above, supposing you wished a Tailor for yourself, but if it is for Servants Cloaths, we have a very respectable man here named George Tanner, near M^r Wilmot’s ⁴ who would answer the purpose

W. Henry Fox Talbot Esq^re
Lacock Abbey