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The Dorr Letters Project
Thomas
Wilson
Dorr
to
Suffrage Ladies of Providence: |
Introduction
In this letter Thomas Dorr expresses his gratitude to the women of Rhode Island who were actively keeping the suffrage reform cause alive while he was in exile. Dorr fled Rhode Island in late June 1842 after disbanding his small military force assembled in the village of Chepachet.
Letter
Westmoreland, NH Aug. 24th
'42. My Dear Friends,
On emerging from the great wave
which has lately passed over the People’s cause and its supporters,
I cannot describe to you the pleasure with which I have discovered
that the first “hailing sign” was given by the women of R. Island.
You have most nobly occupied the sphere which is usually claimed
by the other sex, in endeavoring to reanimate this good cause with the
breath of life; while you have not failed to cheer the desolate & the op-
pressed with your visits & deeds of mercy. I pray you to persevere in the
good work which you have commenced as suffrage women. The men can-
not safely remain far behind when the women lead the way; and
I trust that all those, who were not able, or willing, or ready to main-
tain the Constitution of the People in the hour of need, have derived
such a stimulus from the rude discipline which has been exercised over
them, that they are now ready, under your auspices to engage, with new
vigor, and with a more steadfast devotion, in the work of securing the
just and equal rights, which have been so long withheld from them.
The People’s Constitution may yet survive Algeirs. Let it not be
given up, while there is a plank left to stand upon. The defects
of the cartridge-box, may perhaps, be remedied by the ballot box. Every
thing seems now to be promised to the union of all suffrage men,
of every name, for the good of all. The uncommon people have had
a long day in Rhode Island. Let us hope that that of the com-
mon People is approaching. You will, I doubt not, have a noble
and most cheering collection of our friends, on Tuesday next; and
I send you my best wishes for this festive occasion.
You have my most cordial thanks for the generous
remembrance, which accompanies your letter. I have received it,
you may be assured, with a lively appreciation of your very kind
intentions; and I herewith transmit, by the bearer of your letter, the
amount that you enclosed, desiring that it may be appropriated
to those of our brethren, who are confined in prison, for the sake of our
cause. They need it more than I do; and I shall be very happy
to learn that they are receiving the benefit of it, dispensed by your
own hands.
sincerely, Yours
T. W. Dorr
I hope you will not permit any of our suffrage men to vote for getting up another Old Charter Constitution for the State.
Questions
Where did Dorr send this letter from? Why was he there?
What did the women enclose in their letter?
Why do you think Dorr sent this item back to Rhode Island?