Ref: British Library ADD Manuscript 37069 folio 232-3
To Richard Lowndes Esq., MP at Hillesden
North Crawley December 29th 1771
Dear Sir,
By yours which I was favoured with last night, you seems to express that I am for pushing on ye out for the inclosure of North Crawley. It is necessary we should rightly understand one another. I declare I am quite indifferent whether it is inclosed or not. The morning your gentleman left Newport it was understood on all lands the Bill was to go forward.
As I declared at breakfast at Newport I think the dissenter Fosketts voice very immaterial your tenant Barratt says, Foskett since told him that if he was not cursed for not agreeing to the Bill while he lived, his son would curse him hereafter.
I believe in general it is the small proprietors that are the greatest objectors to inclosing.
Thomas Lowndes
p.s. I wish I could find time before I leave ye county to wait on you at Hillesden and desire my best respects to Miss Lowndes and Miss Molly so to Major and family when you see them.