Introduction

In this letter, Elisha Potter, Jr., ever the student of political history, reminds John Brown Francis that the doctrines of the Rhode Island Suffrage Association resemble ideology that was used during the debate over Michigan’s admission to the Union. Potter rejoices at the fact that the Whigs, the conservative party in his view, were in control of the U.S. Congress. Potter wanted concessions to be made as quickly as possible. He actually indicated that he thought the People’s Constitution could succeed.