This was in the summer of 1785.
In the course of the autumn of the same year I experienced similar impressions.

I walked frequently into the woods, that I might think on the subject in solitude, and find relief to my mind there.

But there the question still recurred, "Are these things true ?" Still the answer followed as instantaneously "They are." Still the result accompanied it, "Then surely some person should interfere." I then began to envy those who had seats in parliament, and who had great riches, and widely extended connexions, which would enable them to take up this cause.
Finding scarcely any one at that time who thought of it, I was turned frequently to myself.

But here many difficulties arose.

It struck me, among others, that a young man of only twenty-four years of age could not have that solid judgment or knowledge of men, manners, and things, which were requisite to qualify him to undertake a task of such magnitude and importance;--and with whom was I to unite?
I believed also, that it looked so much like one of the feigned labours of Hercules, that my understanding would be suspected if I proposed it.