AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED, TO JOHN BROWN FRANCIS, ON BEHALF OF THE DEMOCRATIC STATE COMMITTEE, FEBRUARY 14, 1840, CONFIRMING THAT THE DEMOCRATIC STATE CONVENTION HAD ACQUIESCED IN FRANCIS'S DECISION TO DECLINE THE PARTY'S NOMINATION FOR GOVERNOR

Providence, 1840. 8" x 10". Written in ink on the first page of a folded sheet, and signed "T.W. Dorr for State Comm." Addressed to Francis on the final blank, with Providence postal cancel. Small tear at seal [no text loss], Very Good.

Dorr is unhappy with Francis's decision to desert the ticket. "The surrender of so fair a prospect is made with feelings of the deepest regret." Dorr urges Francis to draft his letter of declination in a manner that will diminish the embarrassment to the Party and its prospects. "Your letter will furnish the explanation."
The Letter permits insight into Dorr's political skills and the evolution of his (truncated) political philosophy. Two years later, he would lead the Rebellion against Rhode Island's restrictive franchise. But on the date of this letter Dorr, a Democrat and radical Jacksonian, hoped to draft former Governor Francis to thwart Whig Governor King's re-election bid. When that effort failed, the Democrats named Thomas F. Carpenter in his place. King easily won the April election with 59 percent of the vote.
To the chagrin of conservative Democrats like Francis, Dorr became head of the State Democratic Committee. After Whig presidential candidate William Henry Harrison won by a landslide in November 1840, Democrats were more willing to join a Suffrage Party devoted to expanding Rhode Island's electorate. Dorr, of course, led this effort. (Inventory #: 36648)