No further arrests under the law of pains and penalties, which was repealed by the general assembly of the people at their May session, will be permitted.  I hereby direct the military, under their respective officers, promptly to prevent the same and to release all who may be arrested under said law.

As requested by the general assembly, I enjoin upon the militia forthwith to elect their company officers; and I call upon volunteers to organize themselves without delay.  The military are directed to hold themselves in readiness for immediate service.

Given under my hand and the seal of the State, at the city of Providence, this 6th day of May, A.D. 1842.

[L.S.]

THOMAS W. DORR,

Governor and Commander in Chief of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

By the governor’s command: 
  WILLIAM H. SMITH,
    Secretary of State.

PROVIDENCE, R.I., May 25, 1842.

The PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

SIR:  Since my last communication the surface of things in this city and State has been more quiet.  The complete dispersing of the insurgents and flight of their leader on Wednesday last, 18th instant, seem to have broken their strength and prevented them from making head openly in any quarter.

But another crisis now appears to be approaching.  By the private advices received by myself and the council from our messengers in the neighboring States we learn that Dorr and his agents are enlisting men and collecting arms for the purpose of again attempting to subvert, by open war, the government of this State.  Those who have assisted him at home in his extreme measures are again holding secret councils and making preparations to rally on his return.  Companies of men pledged to support him have met and drilled in the north part of this State during the present week.

From the forces which he can collect among our own citizens we have nothing to fear.  Our own military strength has once scattered them, and could as easily do so a second time.  But if the bands which are now organizing in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York should make the incursion which they threaten, with Dorr at their head, we have reason to apprehend a civil war of the most destructive and vindictive character.  Our own forces might be sufficient to repel them, but having little discipline and no officer of military experience to lead them, they could not do it without the loss of many valuable lives.

For the evidence that such forces are organizing in other States, I refer Your Excellency to a letter from Governor Seward, of New York, and to a statement made by one of our messengers to the council, which will be handed you.  Other messengers confirm to the fullest extent the same intelligence.