The Dorr Letters Project

Elisha R. Potter Junior to John Brown Francis:
Electronic Transcription

Introduction

In this short letter, Elisha R. Potter Junior , informed John Brown Francis of a rumor involving Thomas Dorr’s possible arrest. Potter was hopeful that conciliatory measures could be reached. He also clearly believed that the moderates within the Suffrage party could be persuaded to compromise.

Letter


Monday April 25, 1842
Dear Sir,

I learned last night that messengers
were here from the Governor to call the Legislature
togetherand that Dorr was to be arrested this evening. If you think I could do any good in
the way of conciliation I would come up one day,
but do not wish to come at all as our business
is pretty urgent at home.

The principal object of the agitators now
is to get their affairs before Congress and to get
such an expression of sympathisers in New York & elsewhere
as will prevent the President sending troops
here. I do not think they will commit
violence unless it is an accidental outbreak
which of course no one can foresee.

Besides I think even now they
would desist if proper conciliatory measures
were adopted.


Yours truly,
E. R. P. *

I have written to Thurston to come over
Election week. The more of the moderate
friends of the suffrage cause attend
there, the better chance of some compromise.

I charged $75 for our journey thinking that
that would not much overpay all little expenses
of soda candy etc.

Questions

Based on what you know about Elisha R. Potter Junior , do you think he would have supported the arrest of Thomas Dorr?

What does Potter believe is the “principal object” of the Dorrites?