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Introduction
William Wheaton was a member of Rhode Island’s Constitutional Party, a political party comprised mainly of Whigs. The party was formed in March of 1834 in Providence and used the Northern Star and Constitutionalist newspaper to promote its cause. From the outset of his political career, Thomas Dorr became connected with this party and helped to push for the organization of a constitutional convention. In 1837, Dorr ran unsuccessfully as a candidate for Congress as a Constitutionalist.