Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Tyler, John, 1790-1862 to Elisha R. Potter

Order a pdf of this item here.

A high-resolution version of this object is available for registered users. LOG IN

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01131 Author/Creator: Tyler, John, 1790-1862 Place Written: Washington, District of Columbia Type: Letter signed Date: May 20, 1842 Pagination: 3 p. : Height: 26 cm, Width: 20 cm Order a Copy

Written at the height of the Dorr controversy, when Thomas W. Dorr's followers who wanted to put a new Rhode Island state constitution in place to expand suffrage, illegally elected Dorr the governor. Tyler explains his response to the affair, his desire for amnesty, peace, and to undercut public sympathy for the Dorrites who invoked the right of rebellion. Concedes that "Dorr's recent proceedings have been so extravagant a character as allmost to extinguish the las hope of a peaceable result." Notes that the developments make it difficult for Rhode Island Governor Samuel Ward King to yield gracefully. The Dorr rebellion followed. Probably in the hand of one of Tyler's sons, John Jr. or Robert, who served as secretaries. Marked "private." Potter was a Rhode Island jurist and political leader.

Tyler, John, 1790-1862
Potter, Elisha R. (Elisha Reynolds), 1811-1882
Dorr, Thomas Wilson, 1805-1854
King, Samuel Ward, 1786-1851

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources