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The Dorr Letters ProjectThomas Wilson Dorr to George Turner: |
Introduction
In this letter to George Turner dealing with historical research that could be used by George Turner and Benjamin Hallett in the Luther case to fully explain the Dorrite position, Dorr references the Providence Gazette edited by John Carter during the Revolutionary era. As was the case throughout 1841-42, the Dorrites linked their ideology to their understanding of the doctrines of 1776. Dorr also makes references to the U.S. Supreme Court Justice Robert Grier who he believes will in the end come around to the Dorrite position based on Grier’s relationship with justice Levi Woodbury of New Hampshire, an old ally of Dorr's. In the end Grier ruled against the Dorrites.
Letter
Providence, Feb. 8th, '47
Morning
GeorgeTurner Esq.
Dear Sir,
Mr Smith has attended this morning
to the copies of acts, relating to the right of Roman Catholics
etc., which ^copies accompany this letter. He will also furnish the
votes given for State officers at different periods to be compared
with ^those at later elections, when the population had become greatly
Increased. [See U.S. Census & Burke’s Rep. p.471.]
I have spent the morning in looking over two
volumes of Carter’s Gasette, in search of the supposed report of the
Committee appointed ^by the Gen. Assembly in ’76 to report on the changes rendered necessary by the Revolution, in the form of government, - but thus
far without success. Will try again in the afternoon.
The latest whig authority from Washington announces
that Mr Luther’s counsel are very busy and quite confident
of success. But it is added that Mr Justice Grier is “a fine
old Dutchman, wholly opposed to the New York radicals, who ^he says have
done a great deal of mischief in his own state of Pennsylvania”.
Put these two things in your pipe, and see how they draw together.
Grier I should take to be a man who would pin his faith to the
sleeve of Woodbury or some other leading member of the Court.
Afternoon
A further search in the Carter papers, but to no purpose.
The statement of the votes Mr Smith says has been already furnished
to Mr Willard for your use.
T. W. Dorr
Questions
Why did the “doctrines of 1776” remain so vital for the Dorrite ideological cause?