19 November 1807

William Wilberforce, near London, to John Ryland, Jr., Bristol, 19 November 1807.

Near London, Nov. 19, 1807.

Dear Sir,

Since I wrote last, I have conversed with my relation and friend Mr. Stephen, who, I find, has been professionally consulted concerning the late Jamaica law. He is of opinion decidedly that the bye law is illegal, and ought therefore to be resisted in a legal course.  Still the colonial courts and juries may suffer the obnoxious religionists to be persecuted illegally; but so they might also if the bye law had never been made. The bye law, being illegal, will not be alllowed in any court or country which is governed by law, to protect from prosecutions and penalties any judges, justices, magistrates and officers, who may punish any man, under colour of its authority. Still, in such a community, it is difficult to say what may not be done with impunity. As to your question concerning the probability of Dr. Coke's ordination being more respected than an ordinary license, I really can give no decided opinion. Persons who have resided in that island would be better able to judge. But I am inclined to believe that preachers in a white skin would be likely to be treated better and respected more than black ones. This is all I can now say. When the meeting of parliament shall bring me within reach of West Indians again, I will try in private to soften the prejudices of some leading men connected with that country; but I fear that the prejudices of the resident colonists, and their irreligious habits, are such as to render all attempts to soften them unavailing. May the Almighty open a door which no man can shut!

I am, in haste, dear Sir,

Yours sincerely,

W. Wilberforce

Cox adds that Ryland wrote the following at the foot of the letter:  

"I cannot but think it is of great importance for us to send out some one speedily. I have waited with great anxiety several years for some one to send."

Text: F. A. Cox, History of the Baptist Missionary Society, from 1792 to 1842, 2 vols. (London: T. Ward & Co., and G. and J. Dyer, 1842), vol. 2, pp. 20-21.