From Bristol, to [John] Horton in Wood Street, London. On 26 June 1772 Mark Davis interrupted his journey to Wales, to meet with Charles in Bristol to discuss the possibility of his joining the Wesleys in their work. They went riding together and talked the matter over until 16 July. Charles believed that much depended upon Davis's loyalty to the Church of England, and his being 'a man of grace & of a single eye. I therefore endeavoured …to stir him up and provoke him to love & good works'. Charles was very open with regard to the rift with his brother, attributing it to the fact that John's first loyalty was to the Methodists followed by the Anglican Church, while with Charles it was the other way round - these differences in temperament resulting in differences in their judgement of people - 'his all hope & mine all fear'. Charles does not blame his brother for inviting Davis to join them, 'although I could not do it myself, fearing my own ignorance & short-sightedness & believing that he [Davis] ought to be fully persuaded in his own mind'. He answered Davis's questions as best as he could, but Davis left Bristol still apparently undecided.
In his letters from Wales, Davis raised further doubts which Charles answered as fully as possible, describing with equal emphasis the virtues and faults of the Methodists.
At the beginning of December 1772, Davis voiced a new objection, namely his understanding that twelve lay-preachers would apparently have authority over him. This misunderstanding, Charles corrected in no uncertain manner in a letter of 10 December [DDCW 1/61].
In Davis's reply, he 'mentioned an impossible condition "If he was sure Mr Fletcher would succeed my brother", I replied in a few words, "There is all reason to HOPE that JF will succeed JW…I HAVE NO MORE TO SAY UPON THE SUBJECT. You must be fully persuaded in your own mind'.
Charles then gave up all expectation of Davis joining them, and was therefore surprised to receive another letter stating Davis's firm intention to enter the work, regardless of the risk of offending his benefactress Lady H. [Huntingdon]. Charles questioned whether this was wise, and also mentioned leaving for London, without however inviting Davis to accompany him.
Charles arrived in London on 25 February 1773, and met Davis at the Foundery quite unexpectedly on 10 March. In the presence of Mr Ley, Davis declared that he did not wish the committee to discuss the question of his salary, and that indeed he did not wish to have anything to do with them. [John] Horton therefore prevented the committee from considering the matter of Davis's pay, saying that J W would decide the question himself. Charles agreed to Davis's demand for £80 per annum, promising to write to his brother, who he was sure would also agree.
On Sunday 14 March, Davis assisted Charles in the chapel, and every Sunday following until Easter. He left for Wales on 13 or 14 April, after agreeing that his salary would commence from when he had arrived in London.
On 1 May in his first letter from Wales, Davis asked for an advance to cover his removal expenses to London, and the committee agreed to send him £40. Some of the committee pointed out that considering Davis did not want them to discuss his salary, J W could perhaps explain upon his arrival in London, why Davis was being paid so much. [John] Horton terminated this discussion by saying that J W had 'reserved this matter to himself'.
Charles decided to delay his return to Bristol until after Davis's return to London, which he promised would be no later than Whitsunday. He also informed Davis of his disclosure to the committee that J W had initially only offered a salary of £70, which he subsequently increased to £80. In a letter of 28 May, Davis thanked Charles for his kindness in staying on.
Charles decided to further delay his departure from the capital until 14 June to see Davis firmly settled in to his new situation. He nevertheless pointed out to Davis that nothing should delay his return to London.
On 8 June 1773, Davis arrived at [John] Horton's house with his wife, children, and maidservant.
From the above information, Horton should be able to answer the questions contained in Davis's letter.
Charles's urgent letter to Davis was no more than a strong reminder that he should keep his word. The longer Davis stayed away from London, the louder would be the complaints about the size of his stipend. Charles was also shocked at Davis's demand that if the £40 sent to cover the removal expenses were not regarded as a gift rather than an advance of salary, he would look for an Anglican curacy.