William Turner, Newcastle, to William Wood, Leeds, 24 January 1790.

[Turner is informing Wood about activities in Northumberland and Scotland; he has sent him from Newcastle a letter to the editor from a Newcastle clergymen (signed “Vindex) attacking the repeal effort, and evidently George Walker. Turner has responded in a letter of his own (signed “Vigilianus”) printed in the Newcastle Courant; he thinks Walker may want to respond in his own defense as well.]

Dear Sir

         I thank you for your curious communication; from which I suppose you do not apprehend any very dreadful consequences. –  As for our general meeting, it will not be held till the 24 of next month: previous district meetings are summoned in Westmoreland, Cumberland, and the north of Northumberland, from which deputies only are to come to our meeting.  This was thought the only practicable way of uniting in one body, especially at this season of the year. –  We have printed some small pieces (chiefly taken from the Birmingham Test Act Magazine) to circulate as extensively as possible in the four Counties.  Some copies I will send into Yorkshire the first opportunity.

        I have written this (indeed I intended to trouble you with it at any rate) upon the blank leaf of News Paper Squib which has this day appeared in our NC Papers.  The Scurrilous thing on the first column appeared last Saturday: and as the answer to it was set before the former paper was taken to pieces, I had an inclination to get a copy or two struck off for the amusement of a few friends; particularly for our friend George Walker, who seemed to have a right, as the chief party concerned, to know what was going forward among us.  Besides, he might think himself not sufficiently defended: and in that case he might choose to add something, to be printed in some future paper.

        The Church of Scotland is seriously to be mov’d next Tuesday: The pamphlet you heard something of the party propose to have ready for publication by way of backing their overture (as they call a motion in Scotland) – but nothing must be said about its coming from a Dissenter.

        Mrs Jer. Dixon is reporting something here about some violent thing Dr Priestley has published in this business.  I shew his sermon whenever I hear of these reports: and it is lucky that on this acct I found on my return a dozen sent me by Mrs Russell.  She cannot scarcely refer to his letter to Pitt: But she is violent enough, perhaps, to look so far back.

        Mrs T. joins me in best compts to Mrs Wood, the Walkers, Mesrs Simpson (who I hope is better) Parsons, Langdon &c    

                                    I am       

                                            Dear Sir

                                                            yr’s very truly

                                                                            Will.  Turner

Text: Test Acts Papers, no. 67, Unitarian Collection, UCC 3/6/6, John Rylands University Library of Manchester.