Introduction

William Rhodes wrote John Brown Francis out of concern for the security around weapons at the Pawtuxet arsenal, that was just a few miles from Francis’ home, Spring Green, in Warwick.

Letter

Yr favr. Sunday evg. I did
not get until Monday evg. too late
send to yr. friend Mr. Allen you enclosed.
It was however done yesterday and
Gen. Carrington said that he would aid
in securing an (sic) removing the guns.

The only great gun down
the village is a six pounder belonging
to the estate of James Rhodes and
formerly to R.H. & Smith purchased
by them some thirty years ago at
Nantucket. Said to have been
found from some ship wrecked
on that Island.

The ship guns borrowed
of you or as supposed of Brown
& Ives when returned they where
mounted for ship guns and fired on
the Px. Bridge. I think more
than 30 years ago.

P.S. The Woonsocket assemblage
was in no wise alarming.
We have in this village a
more determined set than any other that I know of.

Questions

Why was Rhodes concerned about security surrounding the weapons?

How does this compare to the taking of two cannon at the United Train of Artillery’s arsenal the day before the attack on the Providence arsenal on May 18, 1842?