Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1842-06-02
MIR. WlllPPI.E'S LETTER.
To The Editors of The Providence Journal:

\ GlNTLEMeN 81 have been shown n com
muncaion in the Express Otto. day, signed by
burlington Anthony, which though correct in
most of it's details, does not give to the whole
transaction its proper complexion. received
letter while in New York, on Friday morn
ing the l:}Ih instant, from Mr.. Webster, by
the hands, Mr.. Anthony, urging me, IN strong
terms, to bring about concl'iaiory measures IN
Rhode Island towards the suiIiagc party, and
Immediately called at the As,or House and
held long conversation with him (Mr. Web.
s,er) upon the subject. AT second interview
with him Mr.. A. was present. In both these
interviews it was stated that ! had been nam.
ed to the Cabinet at Washington as n suitable
person to cndcavonr to bring about n recon.
citation honorable to both parties. In both
interviews stated that had no authority ,o
act IN the matter, but OF the same time frli
that ] could not decline request coming
fiom authority SO friendly to our cause. II
was accordingly agreed in the presence OF
Mr.. w. that we shonld meet at the Howard
House at one O'Clock, and afterwards see Mr..
w. together. ] was at the Howard House q,
the time, but, owing to n mistake OF the bar.
keeper, the meeting did not take place on
that day. Ia the evening, and again on Sat.
urday morning, Mr.. Harris, called at my odg.
ings, but was not at home.
| On Saturday, at 10 o'clock, | met Mr..
| Anthony, Mr.. Webster. and Mr.. Penrce at
the Howard House. After long convcrsa.
ton, it was proposed by Mr. Pearcc to submi,
the question of the legality of the Peoples
Constitution TO the Supreme Court of tho
United States, and for our Legislature 10 re.
peal what he termed the Algcrine law. ! in.
formed him hat although considered myself
The mere bearer Of proposllons,at at the request
OF Mr.. Webster, yet, that would not carry
any proposition to my friends that ! would
not accept myself, and that | could never
agree that the constituted authorities Of r.
Island should recede an inch from the ground
they had taken. They accordingly so modi.
fed the proposition that every thing should re-
mnn IN its then proper state that the consti
tuted authorities should continue to exercise
the powers OF government. to which there
was 10 be peaccable submission.and that I'M
al the decision of the question OF the validity
Of the Peoples Constitution, no further prose.
culions should take place. considered this
n fair proposition, and consented 20 be the
bearer OF ii To our friends in Rhode Island
] accordingly returned TO Providence on
Saturday night. Mr.. A., Mr.. H., aud Mr.
Dorr were in the same boat with myself, and
in a conversation with Mr.. A. on the passage,
we both agreed that the terms offered by
them could, IN no proper sense, be called n
compromise OF the main question. ] arrived in
this city carly on Sunday morning, and laid
these propositions before those Of our friends,
whose position rendered it their duty to de.
eide upon them. ] also stated that had
acted as bearer Of them nt the urgent so.
licitation Of Mr.. Webster, and that for one,
was ready to accept them; because, being
convinced that there was not single man
among their leaders who could have any
hope Of favorable decision from any court
of law, could view the propositions in no
o her light than ns n mode Of backing out. /
and that for one ] was ready to open n door
through which they might quietly retreat.
| received prompt aud decisive answer
against accepting such propositions ut that
time, aud at hali-past two O'Clock on the same
day, ] communicated the answer To Mr.. An.
tbony ~ the presence Of friend, in the very
language ~ which received il. This fact
is omitted IN the statement Of Mr.. Anthony.
Mr.. A. returned from Stonng,on on Mon /
day morning, and, from his wagon in the
street, called me to converse further upon this
subject. The conversation related mainly Il
II not entirely, 10 the views aud feelings ol
his party Us to tho proposition. From the |
first to the last expressed my strong doubt
as to whether their terms would be accepted. |
lnnsmuch as they required suspension ofn
further arrests. including Dor, against bom
the public indignation was so just, that an
exemption or him could hardly be expected. !
I informed Mr.. Anthony, however. that tho
Governor aud oil his Council we're 10 meet
ON Wednesday, aud that these proposiiions
would probably be lad before them. Bu, he
- wholly mistaken ~ saying that had no
dpub, but that they would bc accepted.
Tborc " nncihrr wrong impression which
his letter Is calculated ~ make upon The pub /.
lie mind From that letter II is fairly TO be /