Item #11642 Report of the Trial of Thomas Wilson Dorr, for Treason Against the State of Rhode Island, Containing the Arguments of Counsel, and the Charge of Chief Justice Durfee. Dorr Rebellion, Joseph Pitman, tory.

Report of the Trial of Thomas Wilson Dorr, for Treason Against the State of Rhode Island, Containing the Arguments of Counsel, and the Charge of Chief Justice Durfee

Boston: Tappan & Dennet, 1844. Wrappers. Octavo. 132 pages. Very Good+. Original printed salmon-colored wraps over sewn binding, with minor edge rubs, a diagonal crease to lower fore corner of front cover, and short separations of covers at spine ends. Some foxing to first and last leaves.

Frustrated by Rhode Island's outdated landed property ownership requirement for voting, and by the inability to change the system legislatively, Thomas Dorr and his supporters essentially tried to set up a separate state government and capture the arsenal at Providence. These efforts were thwarted by Governor Samuel Ward King and the Charter government. Dorr was arrested and tried for treason. This is a record of the trial testimony and verdict. Despite his setbacks, Dorr's efforts resulted in Rhode Island's adoption of a new constitution in 1842 which removed the property restriction and otherwise greatly liberalized voting requirements in the state.

Item #11642

Price: $250

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