Dorr's Rebellion, named for its leader, Thomas W. Dorr, was directed against the government of Rhode Island, which was still operating under the charter of 1663. The legislature had failed to liberalize the constitution by extending voting rights, enacting a bill of right, or reapportioning the legislature. The Dorrites held an extralegal convention, drafted a new constitution and submitted it to the electorate, whose numbers had been enlarged by the new Dorrite provisions. Simultaneously, on April 18, with Gov. samuel W. King legally still in power, Dorr was named governor in a so-called election. King imposed martial law. On May 18 Dorr and a contingent of followers unsuccessfully attempted to seize a state armory. In 1843 Dorr was sentenced to life imprisonment, but was fully pardoned after serving one year. Reforms in the state constitution were quickly adopted.