Thomas Mullett, Bristol, to Edmund Burke, Bristol, 15 April 1775. 

   Mr Mullett presents his respectful compliments to Mr Burke. He has no desire to engage in any controversy. He wishes to be understood, and not to have his meaning misconstrued. Two circumstances attract Mr Mulletts attention and demand a reply. He is represented as having frequently opend his mind to Mr Burke on the subject of the late Election. Mr Mullett never conversd with Mr Burke but once on that Subject, and the reception he then met with determined him never to revive it again. Mr Mullett would think himself fully justified in retorting the accusation of incivility on Mr Burke, whose style on that occasion greatly disappointed Mr Mullett and he confesses he did not consider it as altogether obliging. Mr Mullett never represented the City of Bristol as having been disposed of. Such an idea is infinitely more applicable to those insignificant Boroughs which are under the absolute controul of our Great [?]. Two Parties have an existence in the City of Bristol. Thro’ the interest of one of those Parties Mr Burke obtained his Election. Mr Mullett never ascribed it to an individual. He has only said that Mr Burke was originally applied to by Mr Peach to become a Candidate, and that on Lord Clares desiring Mr Burke would not have been nominated if that Gentleman had witheld his Consent. Mr Burkes Particular friends in Bristol acknowledge the fact without reserve, and also that it was thro’ the assistance of Mr Crugers particular connections the Election was secured. Mr Peach and his friends utterly disclaim the idea of disposing of the City of Bristol. They act on public motives – they form a respectable association – they have a considerable interest and the late exertion of it reflects no dishonor even on a Gentleman of Mr Burkes consequence and abilities.

   Mr Mulletts idea of secondary considerations, if he express’d any such idea, probably arose from an Agreement which Mr Burke has seen, and in which his friends declare they Consider him only as the Second Object. Those Gentlemen can best explain their own meaning. Mr Mullett has no concern with Mr Burkes obligations. Mr Burke has a right to acknowledge them to whom, and when he pleases. From a thorough knowledge however of most of the late transactions Mr Mullett can form an opinion to whom they are more particularly and personally due. Mr Mullett does not admit that he has a right to represent this matter as he pleases. He has neither a right nor a disposition to represent it falsely. In every conversation respecting it whether public or private he has stated it fairly and fully. It is a Conduct he will uniformly observe. Having acted from disinterested motives he has no private interest to gratify. He is sorry Mr Burke appears so much disgusted with the Truth, and so evidently disposed to discredit what the most Sanguine and partial cannot disprove. Mr Mullett takes his leave of Mr Burke for the present, as well as a final leave of this Subject with a hope that any future intercourse may be productive of more mutual satisfaction.

April 15. 1775.

Text: Sheffield City Archives, Correspondence and Papers of Edmund Burke, 1729-1797, WWM/Bk P/1/684.