TALBOT5258

[fragment?]

May 23^d 1845.

Private.

Dear Sir

I think you are wrong in considering that there is any new offer to negotiate on my part and consequently that it is late – when I last had the pleasure of communicating with you I said that I had no data whereon to proceed but that M^r Driver ¹ or somebody on the part of the Company ² sh^d look at the property. ³ You concurred in this & wrote to me suggesting that M^r Driver should meet your steward or land agent ⁴ on the spot. I requested M^r Driver to do so – his engagements prevented his doing so for a week or fortnight – the instant I heard of his return & before I had seen him or received his report I wrote to you ⁵ stating that I was now prepared –

Of course if Lord Brougham ⁶ intends to attack the bill in the House of Lords he will do so and an offer to negotiate may be considered by his Lordship as an aggravation – I will confess to you that I individually am only anxious to show you who were formerly a warm supporter ⁷ and most usefull friend to the Great Western Railway Company and to prove to your noble relative & neighbour Lord Lansdown[e] ⁸ who was also a supporter of the G^t West. R^y in its younger days that the Company are desirous of acting gratefully & liberally although they may be compelled to act contrary to your wishes in passing through your property. I held the same language

which it was certainly not meant to be. ⁹

I shall of course be prepared to meet your agent but I anticipate very little result – if he knows & feels that he is acting for a party determined to oppose whatever may be the result.

I am dear Sir Yours very truly
I. K. Brunel