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The Dorr Letters ProjectThomas Wilson Dorr to Dutee Pearce: |
Introduction
In this exuberant letter written from the Providence office of the New Age and Constitutional Advocate, the organ of the Suffrage Association, Thomas Dorr informs his political ally, Dutee Pearce (1789-1849), a prominent Newport attorney, that the Landholders' constitution had been defeated. Dorr mentions that his opponents tried to rally supporters by reading a jury charge delivered a few days before by Rhode Island Supreme Court Chief Justice Job Durfee (1790-1847). Dorr informed Pearce that 5,000 copies of a "Statement of Reasons" supporting the People's Constitution had just been printed to counter Durfee's charge.
Letter
Providence Mar. 15, '42 10 o’clock P.M.
Dear Sir,
Yours of the 13th has been received;
and I hasten, at this late hour, in reply, to say that
we have just witnessed in Market Square one of those gath
erings of the People, in their strength, which sends a thrill of
exaltation through the heart, and gives us the glorious ass-
urance that victory is [...] ours. 3500 is the least num-
ber calculated by our friends; and I believe it to be correct
from a view which I took of the Mass meeting from the win-
dows of the New Age office. The meeting was addressed
by several of our friends and their speeches were received
with the utmost enthusiasm. The most perfect order prevailed
throughout: and nothing occurred to occasion a report
or to furnish the smallest item of political capital to our Tory
opponents. I have no time to go into particulars: but will add
that the Tory tide has reached its height; and we see the
symptoms of a reaction too plain to be mistaken. I believe that
our friends abroad may now dismiss all fears as to the result
in this city; and that the mark at which I placed it is a
moderate one – we had as usual an overflowing meet-
ing last evening at the Town House, who did me the honor
of a patient listening to a reply at large to Mr. Whipple’s
argument in the afternoon. We shall hold another meeting
in the same place tomorrow evening.
The best accounts are received from the towns of
this county. Johnston is the only one which seems to need more
zeal & spirit in the cause: and this ‸
town I trust will yet be brought into
line, and do her duty to the cause.
I gave an address in Warwick on Saturday evening;
and found our friends there in the best spirits & full of work
and activity. Rice is more determined than ever since Sprague’s
letter has been published. It was thought there that this pro-
duction would do us more good than hurt, and would bring
out some voters, who dislike being on the same side with the
writer of it.
The Tories are making a tremendous effort: but,
as Rice said to me, they have apparently done their worst;
and with the right exertions this week, we shall turn their tables
upon them. They are evidently chagrined and dispirited by
the poor success of their various appliances and are frequently
heard to say that if we beat them, we shall gain nothing;
for they are determined to fall back upon the Old Charter!
To draw a house this evening it was announced
by them this afternoon that Judge Durfee’s charge to the
Grand Jury at Bristol would be read to the audience!
The “Statement of Reasons” demonstrating the
sovereign Right of the People to make a Constitution, as they have done,
is in the press. 5000 copies will be struck off. I
send you one herewith, and hope that the quota of Newport
will reach there tomorrow.
10,000 tickets are printing here, according to the Sec-
retary’s form; and they will be immediately distributed. -
Go on in the good work – Balance Newport Co.
if you can; and Providence Co. & Kent Co. will foot up the
majority.
Two fifths of the Young Men’s Meeting here, of which
Gen. G. speaks, were our men. 1000 majority for us here is
a mod‸erate estimate.
It does not appear to me to be of so much
importance who is your Moderator in Newport; whether chosen
by Freemen or the People at large, if he is an honest man, and
will see that the polls are fairly conducted. I hope you will
get along without any trouble, and without making any capi-
tal for the enemy to be used on the 2nd & 3rd days of vo-
ting.
Yours Truly,
T. W. Dorr
Questions
Why do you think the vote for the Landholders' constitution was so close?
Did Dorr seemed concerned by the closeness of the vote?