The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-05-16
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT.
WASHINGTON Cry, May I, Il

WASHINGTON CITY, May 7, 1912.
Sin Your letter of the 4th instant, transmitting
resolutions of the Legislature of Rhode Island in
forming me that there existed in that State certain
awess assembages of potion of the people, for the
purpose OF subvering the laws and everlhroaing the
existing Government, and calling upon the Executive
forthwith to interpo'e the power and authority of
the United States to suppress such insurrectonary
and lawlcss assembases and to support the existing
government and laws and protect the State from do
mestlc violence, was handed me yesterday by Messrs
Randolph and Potter
have to inform your Excellency in reply, that my
opinions to the duties of this Government to pro-
tect the State of Rhode Island against domestic VIC
lence, remain unchanged. Yet, from information re-
ceiyed by the Executive since your dispatches came
to hand am led to believe that the awless assem-
bages to which reference is made have already dis
persed, and that the danger of domestic violence is
hourly diminishing, if it has not wholly disappeared.
have with difficulty brought myself at any time to
believe that violence would be resorted to- or an ex-
gency arise, which the unaided power of the State
could not meet; especially as have from the first
felt persuaded that your Exceency as well others
associated with yourself in the administration of the
government, would exhibit n temper of Cancellation
well as Of energy and decision. To the insurgents
themselves it ought to be obvious, when the excite
ment of the moment shall have passed away that
changes achieved by regular and, if necessary, re-
peated appeals to the constituted authorities, in
country much under the influence Of public opni-
more likely to ensure lasting blessings than those
accomplished by violence and bloodshed on one day,
and liable to overthrow by similar agents on another
freely confess that should experience great reuc-
lance in employing the military power Of this Govern
ment against any portion of the people, but, how
painful the duty, have to assure your Excelen
cy that if resistance is made to the execution of the
laws Of Rhode Island by such force the cira posse
shall be unable to overcome, it will 90 the duty Of
this Government to enforce the constitutional guaran
tea guarantee given and adopted mutually by all
the original States, of which number Rhode Island
one, and which, in the same way has been given
and adopted by each Of the States since admitted into
the Union. And if exigency Of lawless violence
shall actually arise, the Executive Government of
the United States, the application Of your Excel
lency, under the authority of the resolutions of the
Legislature already submitted, will stand ready to
the authorities of the State their efforts to
MAINTAIN due respect for the laws. sincerely hope
however, that such exigency may occur, and that
every citizen of Rhode Island will manifest his love
of peace and good order, by submitting to the laws
and seeking redress of grievances by other means
than intestine connections.
tender to your Excellency assurances of my dis
tinguished consideration.
JOHN TYLER
TO the GOVERNOR
Of the State Of Rhode Island