Introduction

Former Democratic Governor William Gibbs wrote to Francis to inform him of the support for the Landholders' Constitution in Newport County. Gibbs also wanted information on the vote projections in Kent County where Francis lived. Gibbs is critical of the actions of Newport lawyer Dutee Pearce and Providence lawyer David Parmenter, who were giving speeches in favor of the People's Constitution all across the state. According to Gibbs, there was a faction of conservative Democrats who wanted to support the People's Constitution in order to break the hold the Whig party had on the reins of political power in the state. Gibbs did not share this mindset.