Introduction

This long letter written by Thomas Dorr after the collapse of the People’s Government provides a detailed summation of the events of May and June 1842. This is the first known letter written by Dorr following his defeat and demonstrates the depths of his thoughts and mood. Feeling deserted and in some cases betrayed by members of the suffrage movement, Dorr notes to Providence newspaper editor William Simons that his spirit is not broken, but his health has suffered.