“Sir—­I have been seriously asked from what motive I published my Calm Address to the American Colonies?  I seriously answer, Not to get money; not to get preferment; not to please any man living; least of all to inflame any; just the contrary.  I contributed my mite towards putting out the flame that rages.  This I have more opportunity to see than any man in England.  I see with pain to what a height this already rises, in every part of the nation.  And I see many pouring oil into the flame, by crying out, ’How unjustly, how cruelly, the King is using the poor Americans; who are only contending for their liberty, and for their legal privileges.’

“Now there is no possible way to put out this flame, or hinder its rising higher and higher, but to show that the Americans are not used either cruelly or unjustly; that they are not injured at all, seeing they are not contending for liberty (this they had, even in its full extent, both civil and religious); neither for any legal privileges; for they enjoy all that their charters grant.  But what they contend for is, the illegal privilege of being exempt from parliamentary taxation.  A privilege this, which no charter ever gave to any American colony yet; which no charter can give, unless it be confirmed both by King, Lords, and Commons; which in fact our Colonies never had; which they never claimed till the present reign; and probably they would not have claimed now, had they not been incited thereto by letters from England.  One of these was read, according to the desire of the writer, not only at the Continental Congress but likewise in many congregations throughout the Combined Provinces.  It advised them to seize upon all the King’s officers; and exhorted them, ’Stand valiantly, only for six months, and in that time there will be such commotions in England that you may have your own terms.’  This being the real state of the question, without any colouring or exaggeration, what impartial man can either blame the King, or commend the Americans?  With this view, to quench the fire, by laying the blame where it was due, the ‘Calm Address’ was written.

Your humble servant,

JOHN WESLEY.”

City Road Chapel Begun

1777.  April 21.  The day appointed for laying the foundation of the new chapel.  The rain befriended us much, by keeping away thousands who proposed to be there.  But there were still such multitudes, that it was with great difficulty I got through them, to lay the first stone.  Upon this was a plate of brass (covered with another stone) on which was engraved, “This was laid by Mr. John Wesley, on April 21, 1777.”  Probably this will be seen no more, by any human eye; but will remain there, till the earth and the works thereof are burned up.