Sunday, August 6.--At one I proclaimed the glorious gospel to the usual congregation at Birstal1 and in the evening at Leeds. Then, judging it needful to pay a short visit to our brethren at London, I took the stagecoach, with five of my friends, about eight o'clock. Before nine, a gentleman in a single-horse chaise struck his wheel against one of ours. Instantly the weight of the men at top overset the coach; otherwise, ten times the shock would not have moved it. But neither the coachman, nor the men at top, nor any within were hurt at all. On Tuesday, in the afternoon, we were met at Hatfield by many of our friends, who conducted us safe to London.
Monday, October 30, and the following days, I visited the little societies in the neighborhood of London.
Saturday, November 11. I made some additions to the Calm Address to Our American Colonies. Need anyone ask from what motive this was written? Let him look round: England is in a flame! a flame of malice and rage against the King, and almost all that are in authority under him. I labor to put out this flame. Ought not every true patriot to do the same? If hireling writers on either side judge of me by themselves, that I cannot help.
Sunday, 12.--I was desired to preach, in Bethnal Green Church, a charity sermon for the widows and orphans of the soldiers that were killed in America. Knowing how many would seek occasion of offense, I wrote down my sermon. I dined with Sir John Hawkins and three other gentlemen that are in commission for the peace; and was agreeably surprised at a very serious conversation kept up during the whole time I stayed.
Monday, 27.--I set out for Norwich. That evening I preached at Colchester; Tuesday, at Norwich; Wednesday, at Yarmouth.
About this time I published the following letter in Lloyd's Evening Post:
"SIR,-l have been seriously asked, 'From what motive did you publish your Calm Address to the American Colonies?'
"I seriously answer, not to get money. Had that been my motive I should have swelled it into a shilling pamphlet and have entered it at Stationers' Hall.
"Not to get preferment for myself or my brother's children. I am a little too old to gape after it for myself: and if my brother or I sought it for them, we have only to show them to the world.
"Not to please any man living, high or low. I know mankind too well. I know they that love you for political service, love you less than their dinner; and they that hate you, hate you worse than the devil.
"Least of all did I write with a view to inflame any: just the contrary. I contributed my mite toward putting out the flame which rages all over the land. This I have more opportunity of observing than any other man in England. I see with pain to what a height this already rises, in every part of the nation. And I see many pouring oil into the flame, by crying out, 'How unjustly, how cruelly, the King is using the poor Americans who are only contending for their liberty and for their legal privileges!'
"Now there is no possible way to put out this flame, or hinder its rising higher and higher, but to show that the Americans are not used either cruelly or unjustly; that they are not injured at all, seeing they are not contending for liberty (this they had, even in its full, extent, both civil and religious); neither for any legal privileges; for they enjoy all that their charters grant. But what they contend for is the illegal privilege of being exempt from parliamentary taxation. A privilege this which no charter ever gave to any American colony yet; which no charter can give, unless it be confirmed both by King, Lords, and Commons; which, in fact, our colonies never had; which they never claimed till the present reign: and probably they would not have claimed it now had they not been incited thereto by letters from England. One of these was read, according to the desire of the writer, not only at the Continental Congress, but likewise in many congregations throughout the Combined Provinces. It advised them to seize upon all the King's officers and exhorted them, 'Stand valiantly, only for six months, and in that time there will be such commotions in England that you may have your own terms.'
"This being the real state of the question, without any coloring or aggravation, what impartial man can either blame the King or commend the Americans?
"With this view, to quench the fire by laying the blame where it was due, the Calm Address was written.
"Sir, I am,
"Your humble servant,
"John Wesley."
1 Correct