Printed notice by Edward Jeffries of a meeting of the London Committee at Dr. Williams’s Library, 13 May 1790, announcing the proposed plan of union and the dispersal of the 42 country delegates by counties and districts.

Along with this is a report of the Committee’s meeting on 20 April 1790.  The report notes the prejudicial tactics used by the other side prior to the vote, which went against repeal, 294 to 105.  Despite this, the report argues, “Nevertheless, upon a full consideration of the whole of the circumstances attending this debate, we are confident, notwithstanding the issue of it, that it has essentially confirmed many of our friends; that it has softened or gained over many who were hostile to us; that it has excited no fresh enmity to us; and, that the question has obtained a general attention throughout the kingdom, which, considering the misconceptions found to be prevalent respecting ourselves and our cause, is a most desirable event in favor of religious liberty.” The report notes that when the new national committee is formed, the present London committee will consider itself disbanded.  Also in this printed document is a letter “To the People of England.  An Address from the Committee of Protestant Dissenters, appointed to conduct the application to Parliament for the repeal of the Test-Laws,” dated 11 May 1790, and signed by Jeffries [this is the same one described earlier, f. 95].

Text: Test Acts Papers, no. 100, Unitarian Collection, UCC 3/6/6, John Rylands University Library of Manchester.