Dorr Rebeliion- Burgess letter to Governor Fenner

Dorr Rebellion, 1842.

Letter from Mayor of Providence Thomas M. Burgess to Rhode Island Governor Fenner regarding a planned attack by Dorr on the arsenal.

Burgess, Thomas Mackie, 1806-1856

Rhode Island State Archives

1842 May 18

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eng

Mayor of Providence at the time of the Dorr rebellion 1842 –

My dear Sir,
I have just learned that Dorr has
determined an attack on the Arsenal tonight and
also other outrages – This has been determined against
the Counsel of every leading political friend he has
in Providence: the only possible chance for the failure
of his undertaking is the refusal of his military to obey.
I learn that among the rash enterprises
he talks of is an attack upon yourself personally although
I do not believe it yet it may be well enough for you to
know it, that you may keep some one awake.
Things look very bad tonight.
Respectfully
Yours
Thomas M. Burgess
To
Gov. Fenner
____________________________________________

[Reverse side]
Thos. M. Burgess
Mayor of Providence
notifying me of a
personal attack on
me by Thos. W Dorr
and his desparadoes.
Rec’d on the evening
of the 18th of May ‘42

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