E. H. Jackson, Ripley, Derby, to Clevis B [Minerton?], 17 April 1875.

My dear Friend,

         Long labor meeting crowded to the door—Bergen did not come, but sent Potter of Sheffield who to the surprise of all his friends admitted that I proved by references to law and history these three points

Property national

Church political institution

Tithe originally as to  1/3 part the property of poor

He said contrary was twaddle and if Bergen said otherwise he should not.  But he challenged me to public discussion on the further question.  Is it right to take the property from the Church and apply it to other uses.  I instantly accepted the honour of the flag required it and that is enough for me.

         Potter writes to me to day proposing terms.  And I accept them with slight modifications.  As for instance to wind up with quarters each instead of 10 minutes as he says—And to discuss the whole question of Disestab & Disendow instead of just Disendow as he proposes.  I am trying to get Cox for my Chairman, the Vicar is his, and for the rest all will go well, for though he will say the most daring things his neighbours cometh after him and sifteth him.  For hee agrees to take the affirmative.  He completely gave me Bergens case, and relies upon the expediency & justice part of the question as it regards the nation. 

                                 Yours

                                             E. H. Jackson

P.S.  Neither Potter nor Bergen are gentlemen and they are both mixed up with a savy of Derby lambs who go about with them. The same faces I saw again together with others.  The thing that pleases them best is to prevent our getting a hearing, and the next best thing is to throw dust into the eyes of the half educated and ignorant, those roughs persistently sang Rule Britt and prevented my reply to Potter at the end.  Who pays the expenses of these meeting roughs from Derby.

Text: ENG. MS. 861, fol. 30, Thomas Raffles Collection, John Rylands University Library of Manchester. Minorton[?] was a lecturer for the Liberation Society.