TALBOT3440

Chippenham ¹
25^th Jan^ry 1837

Dear Sir /

I now feel quite satisfied that there is nothing to be apprehended on the subject of the Gates at Bewley Common ² – the Clerk of the Roads does not claim the right to prohibit their erection – as heretofore – from any recent local Act of Parliam^t – but in consequence of their being considered a general nuisance –

If this is proved to be the case, of course it will be fair for the Commissioners of the Road to call on the Leazeholders of the Common to keep a person at each Gates, at reasonable Hours – & this may be done at a trifling expence – by an old person in a Sentry Box – as in the Neighbourhood of M^r Ashe’s House at Langley Common – but to suppose that the Commissioners would have power to prevent the Common being [illegible] during the Summer (w^ch must be the case if there were no Gates erected) is quite out of the question –

I have had what I suppose to be a slight attack of Influenza & was afraid of going to Lacock on Monday, but sent one of my younger Sons with the Plan of the Railway – thinking you were there – & he left it with Admiral Feilding ³ – who talked of sending it to you in a Parcel – the lower Line in red is the new one & it does not appear to take more of your Land, than the original Line, & M^r Osborne ⁴ appears disposed on the part of the Company, to offer every thing that is liberal in the way of compensation – & it is fortunate with respect to your Property – that the Line of the Railway is entirely behind Inwood ⁵ & away from the Village –

I have £100– ready to pay on account of Arrears – & will trouble you to mention when you write next – where you would wish it paid – M^r Gundry ⁶ asked me the same question with reference to a small Balance of yours in his hands –

I am Dear Sir Y^r obliged Ser^t
W. H. Awdry

P.S.
M^r Coombs in a Letter this morning received asks for your present residence, and whether you are likely to remain there for a few days – I have replied that you are at Sidmouth
W: Awdry.

H. F. Talbot Esq
Post office, Sidmouth
Devon