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The Dorr Letters ProjectThomas Wilson Dorr to George Turner: |
Introduction
In this letter to George Turner, Dorr warns the Newport attorney not to be fooled by the lawyers representing the state. Dorr’s old political nemesis from the 1830s, Richard Ward Greene, was apparently lending a hand to John Whipple (Dorr’s former legal mentor) and Daniel Webster (former Secretary of State under President John Tyler). Dorr informs Turner that it is in the interest of the Defense for the case to be argued quickly; the Dorrite hope would only come with a continuance. Dorr references Robert Walker, former U.S. Senator from Mississippi and Secretary of the Treasury under Polk, who was assisting Turner, along with Massachusetts attorney/journalist Benjamin F. Hallett. Dorr references New York politics, referring to a multi-year campaign by reformers to petition the legislature for a constitutional convention. The legislature responded by passing such an act on May 13, 1845. New York voters approved the call for a constitutional convention at the polls that November. Towards the end of the letter, Dorr expresses pleasure at learning of the death of Brown University Professor William Giles Goddard, an old opponent of free suffrage.
Letter
Providence, Feb. 17th, '46
Afternoon
GeorgeTurner Esq:
Dear Sir,
Yours of the 13th has just come to hand, &
has been read with interest. It is quite evident that the opposite
counsel, through their fit agent, R. W. Greene, intended to play a tick
upon you, & to draw you into a premature motion for the continuance
of the case of Luther. If the Court do not reach the case before
the period of adjournment, it will well go over to the next term under
all circumstances. Should the case be reached,
or should there be a strong probability that it will be, it becomes
your duty to make & urge to the utmost a motion for continuance till
another term, when we can expect to go to trial before a
full court, and without hazarding the great question of popular
liberty now in issue. The counsel for Dfts are well assured that
the present is the time for them. It is possible that, before another term,
there may be a change in the government of this State, and that
the successors of the present Algerine incumbents may not feel any
particular urgency upon them to support a number of “Algerine gentlemen”
at Washington, in combating the Declaration of Independence.
Whipple, Webster & Co in behalf of the Dfts are therefore strongly interested
to press their case at the present time. With one vacant seat on the
bench, one absent from sickness, and the Chief Justice in feeble health,
and constantly liable to be detained from court, you will go to your
work with great disadvantage. We have nothing to apprehend, and much
to expect, in waiting for the next term. The grand movement of the New
York Convention will by that time have reached its consummation, & can
not fail of a deep impression upon the Supreme Court, as affirming , by a
powerful example, the principles contended for in R.I.
though in not precisely the same form.
These matters are all familiar to you; and certain
justice will be done to the case of Luther, I trust, even if Mr. Walker
should be hid away & lost in the impenetrable of his office, as you
intimate he is in danger of being. In this matter of the motion
for continuance, it will be wise to move precisely at the right time, &
not too soon.
A grand old fashioned snow storm descended upon us on
Sunday, with a depth of about 15 inches, and the roads are
so much filled up, that all the members of the democratic Convention
may not reach their destination here for tomorrow evening.
The Algerine Party met with a great loss yesterday in the
sudden death of Ex Professor William G. Goddard. He sat down
as usual to dinner; and, after partaking of meat, rose up hastily, saying
he was choked, walked to & threw up a window, fell back & breathed
his last. His son attempted to relieve him with the handle of a fork; but
without success. Some suppose that the rupture of a blood vessel was
the cause of Mr G.’s death. The fact will probably be determined by
a surgical examination.
Using old words, with a variation, we say of the departed –
“Alexander the coppersmith hath done” us, politically, through his literary
abilities, some “harm.” “The Lord reward him,” not, “according to his works.”
Tho's W. Dorr
Yours of Jan. 29th, Feb 2nd, &
Feb. 11th were duly received.
Questions
Do you think Dorr was concerned about the top legal minds in Rhode Island working against him?