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The Dorr Letters ProjectWilliam Sprague to John Brown Francis: |
Introduction
Senator Sprague wrote to John Brown Francis after receiving word that Thomas Dorr, the “supreme dictator,” had disbanded his forces and fled the state. Sprague related a heated exchange that he had with President Tyler about the necessity of sending federal troops to Rhode Island. Sprague ardently believed that Tyler should have released a statement pledging full support to Governor Samuel Ward King. Tyler eventually did agree to send Secretary of War John Spencer to Rhode Island, but by the time Spencer arrived, Dorr’s forces had disbanded and many of his followers were wallowing in prison.
Letter
*I forgot to stop your paper, please say if you
now wish for me to do it, if so I will attend to it
with pleasure. Washington 4th July 1842 Dear Sir,
I congratulate you
upon your safe deliverance from this
second attempt of Dorr to establish his
government and reighn himself as supreme
dictator of R. Island. As I told you
I intended to have gone to Newport on
Thursday but I was taken very much
unwell and for this reason did not go.
Being somewhat better on Thursday I went
into Prov. and at one o’clock went on
board of the boat with the intention
of going to Newport. I there saw Gov
King, the Mayor and some other gentlemen
who were very anxious for me to return
immediately to Washington for the purpose
of receiving the aid of this government.
I felt anxious to stay at home a few days
as there seemed to be trouble in the camp
but I found it necessary to yield to their
wishes, although I know that I could not do
any good here by returning. That evening I
started for this place and arrived here just
32 hours from the time I left Prov.
with the other delegates from our State. I called
on the Prest and some of the Secretaries and
requested the interposition of this government
for our protection but could not obtain
it. Capt Tyler refused to act because the
Legislature did not make another call altho
he said in his former letter that he would act
under resolution passed by the legislature
at the May session when he was informed by the Gov that the
exigency had arrived. Nothing but a letter
stating that the call must be made by the
Legislature could be obtained from the
Capt. As I felt much fatigued Mr. Cranston
returned with this letter and as you know
arrived in Prov. on Tuesday last. On Monday
last we made another attempt. We delivered
a paper signed by Simmons, Tillinghast and
myself stating the reasons why we thought
this government was bound to act.
The Capt. appeared much embarrassed disconcerted
and angry. Thought he had been unkindly
treated and professed indecently, and after
much conversation we left him, but could
get nothing but a distinct refusal to
do any thing. Being anxious to procure aid
as the news on Tuesday was more warlike
I went to see Spencer and Webster. Spenser
appeared to be as anxious as I was to have
something done but said it would be impossible
to get the Capt willing. Webster was cold
and in a bad temper, saw no necessity for
acting, thought our Legislature fools and
the delegation panic struck and ridiculously
importuning. Being aroused by his insulting
language I flung off all restraints and told
him what I thought of the administration.
That it regarded our State as of no consequence
in the political game it was playing to retain
the control of this government. That Dorr’s men
said that they has assurances that it would
not use force against them, and from what
I saw and heard I believe it, and that
it appeared to be acting on the same principle
to manage matters here which governed Dorr
and his infernal followers in R. Island.
feeling. He saw that browbeating for once had
a bad effect and endeavored to conciliate
matters but I would not be reconciled
and left him in a disdainful and
contemptuous manner. I may have acted
too precipitously and disrespectfully but
feeling that I was insulted grossly I could
not restrain myself. And perhaps after all
it had some effect for on Wednesday a Cabinet
meeting was called, a Proclamation agreed
on, and orders issued to the forces and Spencer
sent off in great haste to R. Island where
he arrived after the affair was over.
Had this been done when I arrived here
the Administration would have gained much
credit. The Proclamation and orders would
have arrived in Prov on Monday morning
and been circulated, and the dispersion
of Dorr’s troops on Tuesday would have been
attributed to this cause. But as it is I
think the Administration has grossly failed in the
performance of its duty and ought to receive the
severe rebuke of the community at large.
What I have said relates to what is past but
as I thought it would not be uninteresting
to you I have put it on paper.
We are in a sad situation here so far as
the tariff is concerned. Tyler’s veto creates much
sensation particularly as it indicates that he will
veto the main bill. In the opinion of a great many
legal men there is now no duties on imports
and if there is, no way provided to collect them.
What will be the final result of this matter
no one can tell, but from the confused and
distracted state of political affairs no good
may be expected.
Wm Sprague
Questions
What reasons does Sprague give for why President Tyler did not take immediate action? See the three orders Thomas Dorr issued on June 25 [cross ref]