R3/4009

Letter mainly regarding Dunstable encroachments, Lord Alford's election address, Poor Law, Bedford election etc.

2 July 1837

From: 1837 To: 1837

Reads- Davis thinks the Dunstable encroachments may be most summarily disposed of under the Highway Act; we will discuss it with Hooper. Lord Alford has issued his [election] address; proper for Lord Chas. to announce intentions. Tavistock's speech has given great satisfaction in county; the working of the law has been so wonderful that the attacks made on it have little effect on the agriculture classes; but Guardians feel gratified T. & others should defend the law. Saw Sharman after conference with Bailey; he will hold aloof & neither vote nor interfere in town election; this may allow the return of 2 Tories, but there is so much local feeling with which public politics have nothing to do that it is impossible to unite Whigs & Rads. for Crawley, who cannot back out; however he has a powerful party; & if he does as much as Stuart, Polhill will be turned out. Mrs. Thomas has changed her mind. Sharman says Tories still anxious to get a 2nd man for the county. Parsons carry little influence; if true that Orlebar is a seceder, his example is worse than a good many parsons.

item

Davis (d),
Hooper,
Alford,
Russell, Charles James Fox,
Tavistock,
Sharman,
Bailey,
Crawley,
Stuart,
Polhill,
Thomas,
Orlebar

encroachment, DUNSTABLE, Highways Act 1835, Bedford elections, Poor Laws, AGRICULTURE, class issues, Tory, political parties, Whigs, vicar