Wesley Corpus

To Jasper Winscom Date: CORK, May 9, 1785. Source: The Letters of John Wesley (1785) Author: John Wesley --- DEAR JASPER, - You are in the right: that ground would be too small. Either have a proper place or none at all. If you have any magistrate that is resolved to do justice, he will soon make those rioters afraid to move a finger; and those that support them will soon be weary of the expense. The Justice will quickly make an end of your valorous women; for they may send women rioters to jail as well as men. The law makes no distinctions. But if you have no resolute magistrate you have another way. Let any man that was struck order a King's Bench writ against him that struck him, and arrest him immediately. And he may refuse an insufficient bail. This will soon make them weary of their bad work. But you must take particular care not to make it up with the rioters till they have made good all the damage which has been done by any person whatever from the beginning and given sufficient security for their future good behavior. Unless you do that, you do nothing at all.' Prosecute them not on the Toleration Act, which allows only twenty pounds' damage, but on the Riot Act, which brings their wishes in question. - I am, dear Jasper, Your affectionate brother.