John Clarke, Plymouth, to Joseph Angus, 6 Fen Court, Fenchurch Street, London 27 February 1843.

Plymouth
Feby 27th/43

My dear Bro,

  I should greatly delight in seeing you, and also Mr Hanson for an evening in London, but it seems impossible at present—I hope Mr Hanson will not have left ere I return to London in April—My views about the Steamer I have given hastily to Mr W. Stanger—I have [an] interesting letter from Mr Clark of Brown’s Town, & from Mr Francies, but hear nothing at all from Mr Hewett—My mind is very uneasy on account of his conduct—not so much on account of the matters themselves, as on account of the view it gives me of character, but I must not judge too hastily—

  The conduct of the Presbyterians & Independents is disgraceful in the extreme—Mr Jameson of Goshen has published a letter in Jamaica newspapers giving up his connection with the Af. Civ. Society, because they offer to encourage our Mission at Fernando Po, when I have so rashly baptised in 13 months 13 persons, & allow these to do what they can to bring others to Jesus!!  What does such a man say of the conduct of Andrew & of Philip? & of Jesus himself in sending the cured demoniac to his father’s house!!!

         In haste I remain your affectionate Br

                                                            John Clarke

P.S. I had four engagements yesterday & was most excessively tired, & worn out in mind—I feel a little recovered today—I stop at Mrs Ignare’s—Miss E. Ignare is a devoted friend to the Missionary Cause—

Text: Timothy Whelan, Baptist Autographs in the John Rylands University Library of Manchester, 1741-1845 (Macon: Mercer University Press, 2009), pp. 309-10 (annotated version); also MAW, Box 39 (BMS 2755), John Rylands University Library of Manchester.