from the Providence Institution for Savings "The Old Stone Bank" History of Rhode Island, Vol. III by John Williams Haley, "The Rhode Island Historian" published by Providence Institution for Savings, 1939. pp. 201 - 203: "THE BATTLE OF CHEPACHET. In 1840, the population of Rhode Island had grown considerably, and by the latter part of that year, the question of a State Constitution to replace the King Charles Charter, still in force, began to assume a serious nature. It was contended by many that something was needed to establish a new and fair basis for representation in the General Assembly. Under the existing franchise, which allowed voting privileges to freeholders alone, many of the most capable men in the State were debarred from office holding or voting. In fact, only about ninety-five hundred out of the total population were voters. The first opposition to this state of affairs came in the organization of suffrage societies in the cities and towns. Thus began a long bitter struggle, that found, in May 1842, little Rhode Island supplied with two organized political governments each claiming the exclusive right to the exercise of legislative functions. The People's Party composed of those who wanted to change the existing order of things declared their constitution was the supreme law of the State and proceeded to nominate their own State officers for election, naming for Governor, Thomas W. Dorr, the militant leader of the movement to liberalize voting rights. An election was held, peaceably enough; and shortly afterwards, the regular election of the Landholders under the old charter also took place. Governor King was reelected. Then the question of which party was to rule was brought to the boiling, or should one say, the bursting point. The People's Party, or Dorr's forces, held their inauguration at the old Hoyle Tavern and directed their officers to take possession of the State House and all public property. With the danger of violence imminent, the Landholders twice applied to the President of the United States for military and finally received assurance of support from the national government." continued in part 2.