Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-06-01
LErrEa FRoM THOMAS W. Don
To ~, Psorls o, Rnops ISLAND,

OF the events OF thc present week. IN Nhich yo'
have fei so deep interest. shall perform at &C
OF duty to myself and to the cause Of the people Q
our State.
Upon my return to Providence from the City o
New York. on the 18th OF May, I was received a
the Chief Magistrate elected under the Peoples
Constitution, With the most honorable and crafty
ing demonstrations OF The respect and confidence oil
my fellow -citizens, who assembled ina great con-
course, to welcome me TO the station from winch j
had been for a few days absent. n mission To pro-
mote their interests other States, and ut the seat
OF the National Government. Among other de-
monslrations not 10 be mistaken on this OCCASION,
was the presence OF a military force oil nearly 400
men in a respectable state OF discipline, and whose
port and spirit indicated to oil observers that they
were ready, in the last resort, TO sustain the Peo-
pies Constitution, and the government duly elected
under It, by all necessary means. AT the close OF
the ceremonies Of the day, the great assembage OF
citizens was addressed by me concerning the posi-
ton Of affairs and the duties which the present
ox,gency might demand. when repeated the well
known declaration under which we had so long
nc,cd-"rhe People are sovcreign-thelr Constitu'
ton is adopted and shall be maintained"-the uni
versal enthusiastic response, with one heart and
with one voice, that 1t shall he maintained, seemed
10 he the pledge Of final success TO the Peoples
cause.
when the military were dismissed, thirty men re-
manned at the house OF b. Anthony, my head quar-
ters as a guard against any inroad on the part OF
our opponents, which might be directed 10y the
Charter government, and to communicate the ne.
csss,ry Summons for further aid, occasion should
require.
The omission to occupy the State House in Pro-
vdence and other State property, on the day oil the
FIRST session OF the General Assembly, was regard
ed by many, both at home and abroad, IN very dh-
ferent light from an act of moderation, as 1t was
prompted by c desire TO avoid unnecessary collision;
and II seemed TO them indicate, the part OF the
Constitutionalists, want of the confidence neees-
sary TO carry into operation the government which
they had established. Ii is well known to many OF
YOU that difference oi opinion occurred at the IN
auguratlon of the government on the Sd OF May,
rs to the propriety OF Immediately taking posses
SION of the public property. | expressed the OPT
mon that the ume had arrived to do so, and that
such a step would prevent difficulty, and the use of
srelier force at later period. n decisive action
like this was deemed premature, and | yielded TO
the wishes Of my associates. They however pass
ed a resolution, requiring oil persons having charge
or possession of any public property, TO deliver II
TO the officers severally authorized TO receive -
This resolution was proclaimed by me, and II was
apart OF my obligation to enforce equally with
the other laws Of the State.
The point of time seemed now TO have arrived,
which the general Deciaton required, that some
action should take place TO vlndeate the righiiul
authority OF the Peoples Government. On the 18th
day Of May, four days previous. one OF the largest
meetings ever held in the city had assembled
Providence, and had resolved, without dissent>
ing voice, that farther arres:s should be PERM,
ted under the law of pains and penalties Of the Char
ter Government. The same determination to repe
force by force was expressed IN the proclamation
issued by me on the 18th inst. The requisltion to
surrender the public property had not been complied
with. The powers vested in me by the Conslltu
ton 10 reclaim this property had not yet been eX ,
ercised. Complaints were made at the delay; and
farther, the Chief Magistrate OF the State a
prisoner in the hands Of his friends, requiring con-
slant military protection for his personal security
ngainst the violence of the opposing party. This
state of things could not longer continue. Further
delay on 'he part Of the government had become in
compatible with respect for itself, and felt myself
obliged to appeal TO The power OF the State, to give
TO MS government an existence IN fact as well as IN
right.
On the l7th May, direction issued TO the
military of several OF the towns IN the county Of
Providence 10 repair forth with to the head quarters
and 20 await further orders. In the evening OF that
day council. Of military officers held, TO whom
plan Of operations was submitted and whose ad-
vice was freely asked and received.-'rhere was
no difference OF opinion among them 10 the
cessi,y Of immediate action; but some question arose
as to the point at which II should be commenced.
on view of all circumstances, the arsenal IN Pro.
violence, seemed TO be the position 10 which our
attention should first be directed; and decided
accordingly. delay till past midnight occurred
in waiting for the arrival Of the military from the
country towns; and 10 this time some OF the city
volunteers had retired.
Il was not until an early hour on "Wednesday
morning that the force assembled consisting OF $50
men OF all arms, was put IN motion. At the meet
ing Of officers, | was requested TO remain Z, head
quarters; but deemed i my duty 10 direct the
operations IN person; and accompanied our men on
foo, 10 the field. On the line Of march, and when
the Iaeuoss Of the hour I'D not admit OF any fur
theT delay, was informed that, only two Of the
four pieces OF artillery ordered by FOR the service
lad been bought forward, one OF the heaviest
pieces having been lefi behind. On reaching the
ground demand was made through an officer. for
the surrender OF the arsena., which was answered
rka 4 4 -.
ed in bringing the guns into the positions desgn.t-
ed Tor them, 10 consequence Of dense fog, IN which
We were envelopsd, and which prevented the dis
comment Of objects beyond short distance. The
arrangement OF placing the pieces at distant points
from each other changed In conseq uencs; and
ley were brought into position al point norheas,
IN the building, and within close range ot the ar.
tiiAery. la the mean time tie companies compos-
Ing our ioice had become separated and partly dis
organized. IT, consequence OF the confusion thus
occasloned, the transmission Q: orders was inter
ruped, and had 10 regret the early absence ofone
more officers from the field, whose presence was
OF importance TO the execution OF the plan proposed
was under the necessity Of traversng the field 10
endeavor TO bring the companies into their position.
and TO restore them 10 their proper order with par
tial success. A Intellectual attempt was made 10
FIRE the pieces OF artillery which were flashed only.
They were properly loaded and served for the oc. |
clson by men OF undoubted bravery and competen- /
cy. Such failure a matter Of surprise TO all. /
return 10 head quarters. found, 70 be plugged
with wood and iron 10y whom, il is not known, /
certainly not by sny one IN charge OF them.
Daylight was now approaching, TO disclose the 1
scattered condition OF the men; nnd, upon the susges
ton Of The officers, who deemed il improper 70 press
the attempt further az present, order was gwen
10 withdraw the guns, with the understanding lhai
The attempt would he renewed under more favorl-
bic circumstances. This demanded ~ the |
officers and men, who were brave md true, bui |
wanted only more thorough organization. The !
greater pnn Of the men separated for the presen'
on leaving the field; the reminder accompanies me
10 head quarters.
Information was soon received that On af'ackun
on a. projected, and would he attempted early
IN me forenoon No time was lost ny me IN making |
oil the preparations 10 meet % ofTectuaiIy. Severr
gent emen ~ known experience accepted appoin' !
ments Tor he time Co Az in ihe defence The Of |
Is were directed TO place their men m the Proc.
stations 10 protect the urullety ond SIX guns he
agreed signal for rally heod ouariers were FREQ
ot seven o'clock. The future Of the attempt upon |
the Arsenal was cause Of momentsry discour.pe-
men; but our men al head quarters soon recovered
from It, and had doubt that, upon the re assem-
bling Of their companions by the sigma guns, such
on attack would be prevented, or that q successf.
resistance would bc made to I'll the forces that con
be brought against position. But contrary 10 nv
expectations, lew only Of our friends, in the cour
OF the hour ensuing, responded TO the coll which hi
heen made upon them.
"A principal cause Of their absence Uns rs u |
afterwards appeared, the publication Of handful
lcarng the names ~ two Senators, and OF NM
Representatives Of the CRY Of Providence, (aII VII,
hal not fcsgncd) m which they resigned the,
omc,s' protested against the employment OF force Nv