21To James Madison from John Dawson, 7 January 1799 (Madison Papers)
I have recievd your two favours of the 16 & 28 of december, & their enclosures, to which I paid immediate attention. You observe how slowly we move on in congress—the criminal absense of nine of our members, while they are on the floor to a man, has prevented our attempting any thing, & it is matter of astonishment that they have not effected every thing—a declaration of war might be obtaind...
22Circular Letter from John Dawson, 20 March 1798 (Madison Papers)
After fourteen days delay, on yesterday the President sent to us the inclosed important, intemperate, and unconstitutional Message, which is referred to a Committee of the whole on the State of the Union. Circumstances prove clearly to my mind, that the fixed policy of our Administration will involve us in the war on the part of Great-Britain—an event which I very much dread, but which I fear...
23To James Madison from John Dawson, 15 January 1799 (Madison Papers)
We have no mail on this morning, which prevents my hearing from Virginia. The president has not yet made the promisd communication, nor can we account for it—attempts made to cast censure on Logan for his trip to Europe have recoild on the authors, whose conduct has been wonderfully imprudent & unwise —at present we are engagd on the old subject of a Bankrupt law, which after taking up much...
24To James Madison from John Dawson, 29 March 1798 (Madison Papers)
I have recievd your favour & attended immediately to its contents. We are now in committee of the whole on the president’s message of the 19th. Int., on which three resolutions which I presume you have seen, have been brought forward & I believe will be agreed to—it certainly will be highly important to collect the sentiments of the people, & forward them as soon as possible. New England...
25To James Madison from John Dawson, 28 July 1800 (Madison Papers)
On the first monday in October the legislature of this state is to be chosen, & the contest in all the counties is uncommonly warm, it being understood, that shoud they obtain a majority, which I think more than probable, they will be immediately calld together, for the purpose of appointing electors of president themselves—this will give the whole vote to Adams & Pinckney & will endanger the...
26To James Madison from John Dawson, 17 December 1800 (Madison Papers)
Before this you have returnd to Orange, & I trust in good health. We are placd in a very unpleasant situation—the accounts which have been recievd from different states place Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Burr on an equall footing. Kentucky and Tennessee are not in, but we have good grounds to conclude that the votes will be equall. Shoud this be the case an effort will be made to prevent an election...
27To James Madison from John Dawson, 5 July 1798 (Madison Papers)
On tuesday I recievd your letter of the 25 of the last month. Mr. Jefferson I presume calld on you & inform[ed] you of our movements here—since he went away we have been going on in the old way—today we have passd resolutions for raising 12 additional regiments of infantry & 6 companies of horse—on which a bill is orderd in, & will doubtless pass. The sedition bill, under the name of an act to...
28To James Madison from John Dawson, 12 April 1798 (Madison Papers)
I herewith enclose you a copy of the late communications from our envoys [in] Paris —& send a copy of the instructions to your brother William—both have been publishd by the Senate contrary to the sense of a very large majority of our house—I leave it to you to determine on their object. Altho things have an unpleasant aspect, owing in my judgement, to the infamy of some individuals, & to the...
29To James Madison from John Dawson, 28 November 1799 (Madison Papers)
I came to this place on Tuesday & shall go on to Philadelphia on tomorrow, from whence I shall write to you fully. The choice of the President seems to engage the attention of every person already—it is difficult to say how the vote of this state & of New York will be—the republicans are sanguine in both, & I think not without reason—district elections woud secure a majority, & a general...
30Circular Letter from John Dawson, 19 July 1798 (Madison Papers)
After a session of somewhat more than eight months, congress adjourned on Monday last, to meet on the first Monday in December. The senate was detained on Executive business; and have adjourned to day. Many laws have been past, a list of which I enclose to you, and send a copy of those which are printed to your court for the use of the county—Some of these are highly important, and claim your...