James Madison Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/01-12-02-0273

To James Madison from John Dawson, [27 September] 1789

From John Dawson

Sunday. [Philadelphia, 27 September 1789]

dear Sir!

By yesterday’s post of receivd your favour of Friday.1 Shou’d Trenton be substituted by the Senate I apprehend that your house will not agree to the amendments, and consequently the bill will be lost,2 and the question as to the permanent seat left open. This I have expected for some time woud be the fate of the business, and upon the whole I do not know but it is the best course it can take. The prospect of acquiring strength by N. Carolina, and the manner in which Potomac has been brought forward and treated, will I think ensure its success at a day not far distant. Whether it will be politic to remain at N. York or to remove to a more Southern position as the temporary seat is doubtful in my mind. I shoud however prefer the latter. The Susqh. appears to be relinquish’d in this place, Mr. Elmer, who pass’d through a few days since having declared that it woud be rejected by the Senate.

I shall leave this on some time tomorrow; will write you from Baltimore on Mr. Jones’ business—shall be happy if you will continue your kind communications & Am, with esteem & respect Yr: Friend & Sert

J Dawson

RC (DLC). Mistakenly dated 13 Sept. 1789 in the Index to the James Madison Papers. Dawson clearly wrote this letter after the House had passed the residence bill (see n. 2).

1Letter not found.

2Passed by the House and sent to the Senate on 22 Sept. (DHFC description begins Linda Grant De Pauw et al., eds., Documentary History of the First Federal Congress of the United States of America (3 vols. to date; Baltimore, 1972—). description ends , III, 222).

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