The Dorr Letters Project

Ann Parlin to Thomas Wilson Dorr:
Electronic Transcription

Introduction

In this important letter, the fiery Ann Parlin describes a meeting of Democrats that she attended in New York City. See the full text of Parlin’s speech here. Parlin states that she hopes to see Dorr soon in Pawtucket, which was then part of Massachusetts. Marcus Morton (Democrat), a supporter of Dorr, would go on to win the gubernatorial election in Massachusetts. Radical labor reformer and newspaper editor Levi Slamm was in Chepachet in June 1842. Slamm edited the New York Plebeian. Parlin is critical of suffrage men who will not act. Note: The pig roast that Parlin refers to in the letter took place in the spring of 1841 in Providence.

Letter

New York Nov 6th 1842
To his Excellency Thomas W Dorr,
Dear Sir,

I am aware that 
I owe you an apology for so long a silence, but I think 
you will forgive me, when I tell you that various duties
 have occupied the whole of my time for several weeks
past. I have been exceedingly busy, but not for one mom-
ent have I forgotten your Excellency in your retirement 
or the great cause which we have so much at heart. 
I have been in this City two weeks, & shall stay one 
week more longer. The people are still interested in the 
RI affairs - it has stimulated them considerably
 by seeing a female taking so much interest in
 state affairs, as I have, & a meeting was called on 
Friday evening for me to address. I will send you
 a paper containing the remarks, & I hope you it will
meet your approbation. 

 

I have seen many of your friends here, who express 
warm feelings for you. Gen. Storms, the Hon. Eli
Moore, Maj. Hopkins, Mr. Slamm & many others 
all wish to hear from you, & wish to see you in 
Providence & occupying the office which rightfully 
belongs to you. I presume you have heard of the
 late proceedings in our state, therefore I need not tell
you that they go on as usual, regarless of all 
that is just & right. I am almost discouraged 

at times, but we can judge better of the matter 
when the Elections have taken place. I am cheered 
with the prospect of New York & Massachusetts.
Daniel Webster is now here, and perhaps it will
 do as much good to our party as that of the Whigs.
 it will serve to stimulate the sleepy ones, to say 
the least.

My husband’s case of false imprisonment will 
shortly be brought before the Court in this City
& I presume my appearance here, will have some
little effect in his favour. O’Sulivan, Vanderpool 
and Maj. Devizac are his counsel.

I hope to see you in good health & spirits at Paw-
tucket, as soon as Gov. Morton is elected - & should that
 be the case, I most confidently anticipate a success-
ful reaction, were it possible, I would wish our
 people to commence another action, & fight it 
out, if they would - or if they do, I will pledge 
myself to lead the army to death or victory.
In case that we are not heard in Congress this next
 session, there will be a movement on the part 
of the women - which will necessarily move the 
men to action, for the present state of affairs
cannot much longer be tolerated, & if I remain
in RI, I may yet have the honour or disgrace
 of striking the first blow. I shall not be a silent 
spectator, one half of our valiant men in peace 

are cowards in war, & they often tell me, that
 I judge too hard, but I am sure, had they 
shown as much courage last spring & summer as
they did at the roasting of the Ox - they would 
not have been imprisoned - I saw in the last paper 
from RI that our poor fellows had to 
wait ‸in prison now until the 12th of December, before 
they can have their trial - I am anxious to see 
some of our men & learn their feelings upon
this last movement. 

Since I commenced this letter, Mr. Slamm has given me 
his journey to Providence, in detail, which was very 
amusing, has just informed me that your brother
 was at our meeting the other evening, I believe 
he (Mr. S) is writing to you to send at the same time
 with this. 

You will please to give my regards to the Families 
whom I am acquainted with in your neighborhood, 
& when it is convenient for you to write to me
 without interfering with more important matters
 I shall be happy to hear from you, & will endeavour
to answer you sooner than I now have, but I do not 
wish to write to you, unless I have something 
worth telling you. 

Most respectfully your humble friend A. Parlin

Questions

Why do you think Parlin traveled to New York City?

How would you characterize the speech Parlin delivered to the large crowd?

What do you think Parlin hoped that the U.S. Congress would do in regards to the Dorrite cause?

Who is the Daniel Webster mentioned in the letter?