William Wilberforce to the Committee of the two Congregations of Dissenters at Rotherham, 10 April 1789.

Sir

        I shall not take up your time, or consume any of my own stock of eye sight, which at present is but small, by explaining to you the mistake which has hitherto prevented my writing to you.  I trust you do too much justice to the sentiments of respect I feel for the body on the part of which you have addressed me, and to my sense of the importance of the subject of your application, to have imputed my silence to inattention.  In truth, notwithstanding the hurry of business in which I am plunged, and the great matter that now approaches to a decision [slave-trade bill?], your letter has been very much in my mind, and I must confess has been the source of no small uneasiness to me.  I will not now enter into the discussion of the question to which under my present circumstances I could not do justice and therefore all I can say is that when it last came before Parlt (though with much reluctance, and I must add for reasons different from those which were alleged by any one in the debate)* I thought it right on mature reflection to vote against the Dissenters application.  I promise, and this you have a right to request of me (I trust I shall not offend you by my frankness, when I say you have a right to no more) that when the business shall be again brought forward, I will reconsider the grounds of my former determination and will carefully ponder every circumstance, and decide according to my conscience as in the sight of God, uninfluenced by political connection, or personal regards.  I beg leave to assure you that I am with great truth and respect your faithful and most obedient Servant

                                                                                             W. Wilberforce

C. Middleton’s near Maidstone

10th April 1789

*Wilberforce is referring here to the March 1787 vote.

Text: Text Acts Papers, no. 7, Unitarian Collection, UCC 3/6/6, John Rylands University Library of Manchester. The committee meeting was apparently chaired by William Wood.