Aaron Weekens, Essex, to Willam Wood, Leeds, 22 May 1789.

Sir 

     Since the above no steps have been taken by the dissenters in Essex, it being judged improper to attempt any other movements till the issue of the application by the committee in London should be known—that issue indeed is now known, but nothing is yet determined farther—The Dissenters in Essex however, in general are firm friends to the removal of all penal laws respecting Religion, and there is reason to believe that the number of Dissenters both in Town & Country who wish that if any farther steps be taken in this business, it may be on the above extensive scale, & with the concurrence of the Dissenters at large thro’ the Kingdom, is greatly increasing.—Is there no way by which the Dissenters in the different Counties in England could communicate their Sentiments to each other on this subject?  I should be very glad to receive by Letter the views of our Brethren in Yorkshire on this head, from Mr Wood, if he would oblige me with a Letter on the subject.  If directed to me at Dunmow Essex, it would come safely by Post.  Our Friends here think it now too late to address—addresses having become as common as to lose their weight & it would be yet a considerable length of time before addresses from Dissenters thro’ the Kingdom could be ready—nor have we any reason to think that Dissenters in general are now disposed to it.”     

                            Yours very respectfully

                                                Aaron Weekens

Dunmow May 22 1789.

Text: Test Acts Papers, no. 5, Unitarian Collection, UCC 3/6/6, John Rylands University Library of Manchester.