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The Dorr Letters ProjectChristopher Allen to John Brown Francis: |
Introduction
Christopher Allen served in a Charter government militia company that went to the village of Chepachet in late June 1842 to put down Thomas Dorr’s ragtag army. Allen was surprised at the level of hatred many of his fellow militiamen had for Thomas Dorr.
Letter
Centreville, Monday Augt. 1 42
Gov. Francis
My Dear Sir,
You will no doubt
be glad to hear that your friend C.A. has been a true
loyal subject during the late war – took up arms in
favor of the present government. I did not feel
quite as ferocious as some of the soldiers – who wanted
nothing short of Dorr’s liver on the point of the bayonet.
I am thankful that I never feel this sort of
ferocity towards political opponents – you & I are rather
poor law & order men – we are not blood thirsty enough
to pass well with the ultra of that sect – to see men whose
sympathies were all on the side of Old England during the
war of 1812. So extremely ferocious towards their own
flesh & blood & some as decent respectable men as any in
the state – it is enough to make ones heart sick.
Poor Tom Remington has made a bad business of it
in failing I fear - these farmers when they do fail
hate wonderfully to give up the land. When L. Hughes - you
know he failed & broke some half dozen others and
been the means I suppose of the death of Edward
Pike, of the firm of Green & Pike near the Lippitt
factory. Mr. Pike with the colic on Friday
eve & died last eve about 9 o’clock brot on no doubt
by mental excitement in consequence of the loss of
his property by endorsing for Hughes. Such feelings
bring on that sort of pain – is known to me from experience
for I felt it a great many days & nights during
’37 and I will take credit myself for promptness in
yielding up my property for the payment of my debts
& how I have been persecuted by political opponents & by
^some of my creditors is a caution to any one - but I have ^ never repented the step I
took & should do it again under like circumstances.
I rec’d a letter on Saturday from Sprague who says he
is encouraged with regard to a tariff, thinks it not improbable
we may have one this session. The Senate will pass the
Hover bill & the President will veto it, but there will
be another bill got up in the Senate in which the
import will be adhered to but the valuation will be
so high that it will find ample protection to the
manufacturing interest. Should this be the
case there will be a temporary rise in price of
almost every article either raw or manufactured
– your wool will sell at a good price before next
May day. Let us hear from you. God bless you &
yours.
Questions
What happened at Chepachet?
Did a battle take place?