Introduction

In this letter, Catharine Williams, president of the Ladies Benevolent Suffrage Association, writes to congratulate Thomas Dorr upon his release from prison. Overall, Dorr spent twenty months in jail with the last twelve months in the state prison on Providence’s cove.

Letter

The Ladies of the Benevolent Suffrage Association beg leave to
present their sincere congratulations to Gov Dorr on the occasion of his restoration
to Liberty, & to the Society of his kindred & Friends, & while they lament the grudging
& nigardly manner, in which the precious boon of personal freedom, has been accorded by
those whom fear alone of the consequences has most reluctantly compelled to bestow - we
yet lift up our hearts in thankfulness to the great ruler of the Universe, for all that he has
done, is doing, & will most surely bring to pass, in behalf of our heroic Friend! & for
the principles of Liberty & Eaqual Rights for which he has so nobly contended.
We beg leave to assure Gov Dorr, that his Counsel & example, has not been lost
upon us. By the one, we have been instructed with respect to those great Principles,
upon which our Republic is founded, & which we hope to transmit to our childrens
children; & by the other, we have learnt how to suffer, with dignity - when these Princi
-ciples are assailed. convinced that when the good cause demands it - “He that humbleth
himself shall be exalted.”

While adressing the “noblest Roman” our Country can now
boast, we feel as though words were inadequate to convey the sentiments of reverance
& admiration, which the character & conduct of our Exalted Friend has inspired us
with. We feel as though adressing one - round whose head a halo of glory is beaming -
attesting he has already earned the Crown of Martyrdom. For though Hero’s may have
fought & bled in the sacred cause Liberty, none but him, have yet dared to descend to
to the Dungeons of a Rhode Island Bastile, none else, has ventured to tread its gloomy
Portals, & few minds would have withstood the united horors of imprisonment cold
dampness, starvation, & the still more trying attacks, of petty & insulting persecution,
which the narrow minded Despots of that place, had the power to inflict.

We congratulate Gov Dorr, that the effect of his complicated sufferings, has been
a general blessing to the Country. That Liberty Patriotism, & just & upright princeples,
has not been so grossly outraged in his person, without exciting sentiments of holy in
dignation, that has been heard in thunder tones throughout the length & breadth of our
Country, & that upon emerging from his living Tomb, he has had the happiness to find
the Country far more prosperous, & the Government in better hands than he left it.
That the lethargy that had for so many months weighed down the eylids of our Coun
-trymen, & came so near sealing them in the sleep of death, has been shaken off, &
that the great body of the American People have awaikened to a sense of their rights,
& an enlightened understanding of the great princeples upon which _^^our Republic is
based.

When thinking of those whose constant

prayers have ascended for him, while in the House of Bondage; of those who have
felt as though bound with him, & who would have sacrificed all but His honour
to have released Him, we beg that we may not be forgotten. We only ask to have
a place in his remembrance. It has not been in our power to penetrate his dungeon
walls & succor him in _^^{pain &} sickness, but we feel assured, that like his Great Master,
whom we sincerely believe, he has endeavoured to imitate; haveing done it to the least
of his friends, he will esteem as done unto himself.

In conclusion, we cannot forbear
to express our thankfullness, that the deliverance of our beloved Friend, has not been
effected by violence & bloodshed. That the Almighty, has stayed the hand of persecution,
just in time, as we believe, to prevent so direfull a catastrophy. That in his wisdom, he
has caused us to suffer with long forbearance, in order that the silent triumph of principle
should prevail, & eventuate in far more glorious results, than though vindicated by the
sword.

Questions

Catharine Williams relates that the country is now in a better position than when Dorr entered the state prison. What do you think she is referring to?

What is the historical reference Catharine Williams makes with her claim that the state prison in Providence resembled the “Bastille”?

Why does she label Dorr a “martyr”?