Introduction

In this letter to Providence attorney Walter S. Burges, Thomas Dorr repeats many of the things he mentioned in his letter to Aaron White, Jr. (see previous letter of the same date). However, there are several important points that Dorr brings up in his letter to Burges that he omitted in his letter to White. Most significantly, Dorr outlines the growing controversy and threat his ideology on the people's sovereignty posed to the institution of slavery. Dorr also informs Burges that he has received verbal commitments of military aid if federal troops are sent to Rhode Island.