TALBOT9603

[on mourning paper]

22 Arundel Street
Strand, London W.C.
6 January 1870

Dear Sir,

The liberty I take in thus trespassing upon your kindness I am prompted to by a very long standing connection between the family of Captain Meredith RN and my own. I trust it may be pardoned by you when I state, that the unfortunately fast-declining state of my Friend the Capt^ns health renders it necessary for him to resign the appointment of Chief constable of the County of Wilts:, which Appointment he has held for a period of upwards of thirty years.

The sole object I have now in view, dear Sir, is, to ask permission to submit to your favorable consideration the enclosed copy of the several Testimonials of Commander Hugh McNeile Dyer – RN. – as a candidate for the office of Chief Constable of Wilts: to succeed his Relation Captⁿ Meredith – whose place has now, I presume, become vacant.

I am much interested in Capt. Dyer’s welfare, and beg to assure you that my knowledge of his character I believe fully justifies the recommendation I take leave to tender on his behalf, to the Magistracy of Wiltshire

I am, very truly, Dear Sir Your obliged & faithful Servant
John G Stilwell

I was staying for a few days in the Month of November last at Captain Merediths – and I did myself the pleasure of leaving my card at the Abbey
J G S

W. H. F. Talbot Esq^re
Lacock Abbey, Wilts.