Introduction

In this letter to Newport attorney George Turner, Thomas Dorr, recently released from prison in Providence, is requesting Turner’s immediate assistance in helping to orchestrate an appeal of his 1844 treason conviction to the United States Supreme Court. Dorr was the first person in U.S. history to be convicted of treason against a state (the murdering abolitionist John Brown would become the second in 1859). Dorr spent over a year in prisons in Newport and Providence before the General Assembly released him. Turner, as well as Walter S. Burges, assisted Dorr in his defense to the charge of treason in 1844.

Letter

We have no reply from you to
Mr Burges’ letter of the 28th, requesting you to come up,
on urgent business relating to the cases at Washington.
Your affidavit is wanted as to the omissions in the
record of my case; the judges having, as I am informed,
left out my most important offerings in defense, & other
matters. It is of importance to me that the copy of
my case should be no longer delayed in its way to
Washington; and you will very much oblige me by coming
up without delay on the receipt of this. The
subject of an associate counselor in the Luther cases
also requires immediate consideration. Come therefore
without fail. A happy new year to you in advance.

Questions

Why do you think Dorr wanted to appeal his treason conviction to the U.S. Supreme Court even though the Rhode Island General Assembly had released him?