By His Excellency Samuel Ward King, Governor, Captain General, and Commander-in-Chief of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. A Proclamation. Whereas I have this day received from His Excellency John Tyler ... a communication touching the political affairs of this State

[Providence: publisher not identified, 1842.]. Folio broadside (approx.19¾" x 11¾"), text in triple column, wood engraving of the R.I. State seal at the top of the first column; some wear and spotting, previous folds; all else very good. Contains President Tyler's letter to King detailing the position of the federal government relative to the situation in R.I. in 2 columns; the third column prints a letter from John Whipple to King. President Tyler's letter of April 11, 1842, promised that American troops would support Rhode Island's regular government against insurgent Dorrites; and John Whipple's Letter warned that, if the Dorrites succeed, "the same sure law of force will inevitably prostrate every State Government in the Union." Whipple led the anti-Dorr Party. "The Dorr Rebellion focused national attention on the question whether or not a majority of the people may rightfully frame a new government regardless of the provisions of the constituted government. Leaders of the disfranchised populace in Rhode Island had met and framed a 'People's Constitution' and proceeded to elect a government independent of the incumbent regime" (Peterson, The Great Triumvirate, 338.) Acting under his constitutional duty to "guaranty to every State in this Union a republican form of government", Tyler asserted that the United States would continue to recognize "the existing Government of the State" as the lawful government of Rhode Island "until I shall be advised in regular manner, that it has been altered and abolished, and another substituted in its place, by legal and peaceable proceedings..." American Imprints 4273; DeSimone & Schofield 27; OCLC locates the Clements copy only. Item #55762

Price: $1,500.00