Introduction

North Kingstown Democrat Christopher Allen wrote to John Brown Francis after he saw a circular (broadside) calling for support for the Landholders' Constitution with Francis' name affixed to it. Allen did not know if Francis consented to have his name used on the circular or not, but in his letter Allen questions the motives of those who solicited Francis' signature and also condemns the Rhode Island Whig party. The Whigs, according to Allen, "will touch nothing that is done by the people" and "treat every body with contempt" for favors free suffrage," until they find they are like[ly] to lose political power” if they do not find a way to meet the demands of the people.