Thomas W. Dorr Collection (MSS 391)

Historical note

Thomas Wilson Dorr, is well known as the leader of the Dorr Rebellion. A Providence lawyer, Dorr had become the leader of the Law and Order Party that had a platform of suffrage reform. At the time, Rhode Island was still operating under the colonial charter of 1663, which stated that only landowners had the right to vote. Dorr's party sought a more democratic constitution which would give voting power to the landless. The party held a convention and adopted a "People's Constitution," which was unofficially ratified by voters in 1841. In 1842, Dorr and his followers held unofficial elections and Dorr was elected Governor. However, the Rhode Island legislature did not recognize Dorr's legitimacy. Dorr formed an army and attempted to take power by force but suffered two humiliating defeats. With these failures Dorr fled Rhode Island, only to turn himself in a year and a half later. He was tried in 1844 and sentenced to life in prison. Dorr was released in 1845 due to a legislative act that freed all prisoners sentenced for treason. In 1854, Dorr's record was expunged as some of those in power came to believe he had been wrongly convicted.