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The Dorr Letters ProjectThomas Wilson Dorr to Dutee Pearce: |
Introduction
In this short letter to Newport attorney Dutee Pearce (a prominent leader in the effort to establish a written constitution), Thomas Dorr, a former state assemblyman and prominent attorney, discusses the growing support for the recently drafted People’s Constitution. Dorr writes just before a three day plebiscite calling for the ratification of the People’s Constitution was set to take place. He notes his close friend, Walter S. Burges of Providence, will underwrite the cost of sending a person to New Shoreham (Block Island) with election tickets. Dorr stresses the need to secure support for the People’s Constitution even in far off Block Island. The People’s Constitution was approved a few days later in an extra-legal plebiscite by a vote of 13,947 for and 52 opposed.
Letter
Providence, Dec. 22, 1841. Evening
Dear Sir,
As one of the proofs of the increasing zeal
felt here in the cause of the Constitution, I would say at
this time, that Walter S. Burges will be responsible for
$25 toward the expenses of an agent to Block Island, to
arouse our fellow citizens of that place, and to bring them
into action next week. I hope you will take up with this
offer, and send over a suitable person with a sufficient
number of tickets. If this sum be not sufficient to pay the
expenses of an agent, I have no doubt that the balance can
be raised here. We want all the votes of the Island.
Our accounts from all parts of the are most encouraging,
so much so in fact that we can hardly credit them.
Glocester is set down by Atwell at 500! Go ahead!
T. W. Dorr
Questions
Why do you think Dorr had such a high level of optimism for his cause at this point in late 1841?