121To James Madison from John Dawson, 17 December 1789 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty of forwarding to you two resolutions which have pass’d both houses, on the subject of the permanent seat of the General Goverment. To the first of these there was considerable opposition from the South side of James river, under an apprehension that it woud not be advantageous to that part of the State; and from some of the Antis who considerd it as a favour to Congress—they...
122To James Madison from John Dawson, [ca. 10 November] 1787 (Madison Papers)
Accept my thanks, my dear Sir, for your two favours of the 21st. and 28th. of the last month, which, with the enclosures, came to hand in due time. On the receipt of a letter from you, some time since, I calld the attention of the Legislature to the Act of the last session, which is the subject of Mr. Vanburkels complaint. That it is a violation , tho not an intended one, appears to be the...
123To James Madison from John Dawson, 12 December 1799 (Madison Papers)
I am favourd with your letter of the 4th. for which I thank you. On yesterday we finishd the business of ceremony with the president & appear at a loss what to take up next —the Senate in their answer take no notice of the mission to France, altho it was modifid according to their wishes, & I am assurd that thirty odd eastern members in our house woud have voted for expunging the clause which...
124To James Madison from John Dawson, 10 December 1797 (Madison Papers)
Since my return to this place I have delayd to write to you from a hope that I shoud have it in my power to communicate something new or interesting. In congress we move on very harmoniously & do very little. The report of the committee on Blounts affair producd some long faces, & shewd that it was not a French plot with Mr. Jefferson at the bottom, as has been industriously circulated in the...
125To James Madison from John Dawson, 15 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
I am honourd with your letter of the 1 Int. and must request you to receive this, not as a piece of cold formality, nor simply as a return for yours but as a testimony of a much dearer principle; a principle of honest friendship—our acquaintance I esteem too high ever to forget it—I wish it continued. I wish it cultivated. I flatter myself the desire may be mutual and with pleasure did I...
126To James Madison from John Dawson, [13 September] 1789 (Madison Papers)
You’ll be pleased to accept my thanks for your two letters with the inclosures, which I receivd on thursday & saturday. By the papers I discover that the bill for fixing the Seat of Goverment &c was not reported on Friday morning, and I have been assurd by a Gentleman in this place , that the committee appointd woud not bring it in untill they had collected, and sworn in all their forces. The...
127To James Madison from John Dawson, 25 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
Before this you are fix’d at the seat of goverment and I hope in a manner agreeable to yourself and to Mrs. Madison, to whom I pray you to present me with much esteem. I have just seald a letter directed to the Secretary of state. This is intended for yourself, and our friend Mr Jefferson. A strange and mysterious delay has taken place relative to the ratification to the causes of which I am...
128John Dawson to Thomas Jefferson, 22 April 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
Louisiana having become a sister-state I take the liberty of inclosing to you a copy of her constitution, and at the same time, stating to you, with candour, my future plans, and counting, with confidence on your friendly offices, to which I feel that I have a just claim. You are pretty well acquainted with the history of my political life, which while it has secur’d the approbation of my...
129To James Madison from John Dawson, 13 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
Accept my thanks for your letter of the 20th. uto. which I have recievd. By the death of our very worthy friend Colo Grayson it became the duty of the Executive to appoint some person to fill the vacancy in the Senate. Application was made to Mr. Henry and on his refusal to serve Colo Mason was unanimously appointed—he also declind and then Mr. John Walker was chosen—who I presume will be in...
130Circular 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...
131To James Madison from John Dawson, [ca. 6 January] 1789 (Madison Papers)
Since I wrote you nothing worthy your attention has presented itself; We have now six states on the floor viz Massachusetts-bay, New York, New Jersey Pennylvania S. Carolina and Virginia; and a member from Rhode Island, North Carolina & Georgia—another member from Rhode Island is on his way and one from N. C. in Pennylvania. Connecticut, you know can come in at any time; we therefore expect in...
132To James Madison from John Dawson, [12 June] 1787 (Madison Papers)
After an absence of near three weeks I have just return’d to this place and am favourd with your letter of the 27 of May. The prospect of a general convention of the States appears to me very faint, and I wish to be informd, whether the states assembled, or those that probably will meet, will proceed to any business. I apprehend that nothing decisive can be done, without the concurrence of the...