British politician, evangelist, and philanthropist (1759-1833) who played an important role in the movement to abolish slavery. ALS signed “W. Wilburforce,” three pages on two adjoining sheets, 7.25 x 9, April 17, 1789. Addressed from London, a handwritten letter from William Wilburforce to an unidentified recipient, in full: “A letter was put into my hands the day before yesterday relative to the proposed application to parliament for the repeal of the corporation and test acts; it is signed by Mr. Beatson as chairman of the meeting but as there is no date or either of place or time, observing together with the names of some others of your family, or of my friend that your signature is affixed to it. I think it best to address my reply to you, to which I confess I am strongly incited by the consideration that I can speak to you on this as on any other subject with perfect frankness, and without danger of offence, or misconstruction: at the same time, if you think I had better return an answer to Mr. Beatson directly than thro' you, I beg you will tell me so, and I will do it without delay. Remember only you must inform me where to direct to him, and in the meantime secure me the credit of wishing to treat the application in the most respectful manner.
What I have to say shall be comprised in few words indeed. I rather rejoice that I have not leisure to enter into that full discussion of the business in question, without which in a matter of this importance and extent it is better not to discuss at all. Few topics, if any, have been agitated in Parl't which have been productive of more uneasiness than this: when it was last brought forward, I considered it in all its bearings, and at last, tho' with extreme reluctance and concern, I found myself compelled to resist the dissenters' application; the only point of consequence I think in which my worthy colleague and myself ever differed. The application is not I find to be resumed: I know you too well not to be sure you would esteem me unworthy of the situation I hold if I were capable of suffering my conduct in a case of this magnitude to be influenced by any considerations of parliamentary interest, or personal gratitude: I will speak openly to you: I trust, which way so ever I shall decide, I shall continue to enjoy the good opinion and support of you and your family: yet were I sure these were at stake, I would not suffer them to weigh a feather in the balance. The Protestant dissenters have a right to require of me (and their claim comes strongly enforced by your joining in preferring it) that I should carefully reconsider the affair. This I will do with all seriousness and impartiality: no mistaken notions of consistency shall operate with me, but I will ponder and review the question to the best of my judgment, and act according to the dictates of my conscience. More I am persuaded you will not ask - tho' as what I have written will have abundantly testified, I am a good deal pressed in point of time, I cannot lay aside any pen without congratulating you on his majesty's recovery. I recollect few events wherein the hand of a gracious providence has been more plainly to be seen. I beg my best remembrances to all friends, and I remain always yours.” In fine condition.
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