fol. 127.  MS letter from William Crabtree, Bradford, to William Wood, Leeds, 14 June 1792.

To the Gentlemen of the Committee

Worthy Gentlemen

        As I had the honour of being chosen a member of the Committee, It has afforded me much edification and pleasure to meet with you in Christian friendship as often as I was able.  At present I labour under an embarrassment – a Rumor circulating in many parts of the nation, relative to the Societies formed in many places, and under various descriptions, are inimical to the British Constitution; – many of our people are struck with the alarm; and firmly of opinion that our Connection is of the same nature and tendency – I am therefore in the most pressing manner desired and even insisted on to drop the Connection immediately –  Now though I am far from having contracted the most distant Idea of the kind, yet, for the sake of peace in my own Congregation, I am constrained to drop it.  At the same time I most sincerely wish harmony and success may attend you in every lawful attempt to promote the welfare of the Dissenting Interest.  I rest with great respect your friend and Brother.

                                                                Wm Crabtree