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1782 Providence, Rhode Island Letter – John Innes Clark to Benjamin Bourne
Featuring Founding Fathers Jonathan Arnold & David Howell | Revolutionary War Era Politics
Offered here is a rare and highly desirable April 17, 1782 handwritten letter from John Innes Clark of Providence, Rhode Island, to Benjamin Bourne, Esq., a future U.S. Congressman and Federal Judge. Written during the final year of the American Revolution, this document provides a firsthand look at local election polling and directly references two Continental Congress delegates and Founding Fathers.
Full Transcription
Providence, April 17th, 1782
Sir,
In consequence of your favor of this day, it was mentioned in Town Meeting that you proposed serving as State’s Attorney, provided the Freemen thought proper to give you their votes. At present, you are twenty-odd majority, and I imagine there will be more.
Polling is about 80 majority. Doctor Arnold, I cannot justify afterwards, but I believe he carries two hundred or upwards. Mr. Howell about two hundred and forty.
This is the nearest best information I can give you at present.
I am, most respectfully,
Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
John Innes Clark
To Benjamin Bourne, Esq.
Historical Context & Biographies
John Innes Clark (1745–1808)
A leading Providence merchant and shipowner, Clark co-founded the firm Clark & Nightingale, which traded extensively and engaged in privateering during the Revolutionary War. His business and family ties placed him at the center of Rhode Island’s political and commercial elite.
Benjamin Bourne (1755–1808)
A Harvard-educated lawyer and statesman, Bourne later served as U.S. Representative from Rhode Island and as a Federal Judge, appointed under Presidents Washington and Adams. At the time of this letter, he was being considered for State’s Attorney, a pivotal legal post in post-Revolution Rhode Island.
Dr. Jonathan Arnold (1741–1793) – Founding Father
A physician, Revolutionary patriot, and delegate to the Continental Congress, Arnold played a direct role in the governance of the colonies during the Revolution. His inclusion in this letter firmly places it within the Founding era of the United States.
David Howell (1747–1824) – Founding Father
A lawyer, Brown University professor, and delegate to the Continental Congress (1782–1785), Howell later became a U.S. District Judge. His presence in this correspondence is especially notable, as he was serving in Congress at the exact time this letter was written.
Letter Summary
This letter captures a moment of active civic decision-making in Revolutionary-era Providence, detailing vote margins and polling outcomes for a local election. Clark provides insider information on the standing of several candidates, including two men who helped govern the United States at its founding. The phrase “polling is about 80 majority” reflects period election terminology and clarifies that vote counts—not a person’s name—are being discussed.
Condition
Original 1782 laid paper with visible chain lines
Clear brown ink and strong signature of John Innes Clark
Expected mailing folds and light age toning
No text loss; excellent legibility and display quality
Significance
This is an exceptional Founding Era political manuscript, directly referencing two Continental Congress delegates, alongside a future U.S. Congressman and Federal Judge. Letters that tie local Revolutionary politics to national Founding Fathers are scarce and highly sought after.
An outstanding piece for collectors of:
Founding Father manuscripts
Revolutionary War–era Americana
Rhode Island history
Early American political correspondence
