Wesley Corpus

But I think they are not one jot worse than those that went before them; nor than any set of Ministers who have been in place for at least thirty years last past. I think they are not a jot worse than their opponents, than those who bawl the loudest against them, either with regard to intellectual or moral abilities, with regard to sense or honesty. Set twenty against twenty, or ten against tem; and is there a pin to choose? “However, are not these commotions owing to the extra ordinary bad measures they have taken ? Surely you will not attempt to defend all their measures !” No, indeed. I do not defend General Warrants. But I observe, 1. The giving these, be it good or bad, is no extraordinary measure. Has it not been done by all Ministers for many years, and that with little or no objection? 2. This ordinary measure is of exceeding little importance to the mation in general: So little, that it was never before thought worthy to be put into the list of public grievances: So little, that it never deserved the hundredth part of the outcry which has been made concerning it.- I do not defend the killing of Mr. Allen. But I would have the fact truly represented. By the best information I can gain, I believe it stands just thus: About that time the mob had been very turbulent. On that day they were likely to be more insolent than ever. It was therefore judged proper *o send a party of soldiers to prevent or repress their violence. Their presence did not prevent it; the mob went so far as to throw stones at the soldiers themselves. One of them hit and wounded a soldier; two or three pursued him; and fired -at one whom, being in the same dress, they supposed to be the same man. But it was not; it was Mr. Allen. Now, "though this cannot be excused, yet, was it the most horrid villany that ever was perpetrated? Surely, no. Notwith standing all the tragical exclamations which have been made concerning it, what is this to the killing a man in cool blood? And was this never heard of in England? I do not defend the measures which have been taken relative to the Middlesex election.