1From James Madison to John Dawson, 24 June 1790 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 24 June 1790. Acknowledged in Dawson to JM, 4 July 1790 . JM has attended to Dawson’s business with Nathaniel Twining.
2From James Madison to John Dawson, ca. 15 April 1798 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 15 April 1798. Mentioned in Dawson to JM, 8 May 1798 . Requests that Dawson deliver a letter from Dolley Madison and pay $10 to Benjamin Franklin Bache.
3From James Madison to John Dawson, ca. 5 May 1798 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 5 May 1798. Mentioned in JM to Jefferson, 5 May 1798 . Requests from Dawson a small balance—between $30 and $40—to be given to Jefferson.
4From James Madison to John Dawson, 15 January 1794 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 15 January 1794. Acknowledged in Dawson to JM, 23 Jan. 1794 . Mentions two causes of opposition to JM’s resolutions on commercial discrimination.
5From James Madison to John Dawson, ca. 16 February 1794 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 16 February 1794. Acknowledged in Dawson to JM, 25 Feb. 1794 . Reports that the House of Representatives on 5 Feb. postponed consideration of JM’s commercial discrimination resolutions until the first Monday in March.
6From James Madison to John Dawson, 7 April 1794 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 7 April 1794. Acknowledged in Dawson to JM, 14 Apr. 1794 ; mentioned in JM to Jefferson, 14 Apr. 1794 . Encloses newspapers with accounts of the diplomatic correspondence that Washington submitted to Congress on 4 Apr. Asks Dawson to have JM’s letters to Jefferson taken out of the Richmond post office and forwarded privately to Monticello, since the mail has ceased to move...
7From James Madison to John Dawson, ca. 3 August 1797 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 3 August 1797. Acknowledged in Dawson to JM, 13 Aug. 1797 . Gives opinion on the Blount conspiracy.
8From James Madison to John Dawson, 1 April 1787 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 1 April 1787. Mentioned in John Dawson’s letter to JM, 15 April 1787 . Apparently concerned the congressional resolve of 21 March 1787 which urged states to repeal all acts repugnant to the peace treaty of 1783 with Great Britain.
9From James Madison to John Dawson, 31 December 1793 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 31 December 1793. Acknowledged in Dawson to JM, 20 Jan. 1794 . Discusses the proposed naval force against Algerine corsairs and probably mentions the resolutions on commercial discrimination that JM plans to present to the House of Representatives.
10From James Madison to John Dawson, 31 January 1790 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 31 January 1790. Acknowledged in Dawson to JM, 26 Feb. and 14 Mar. 1790 . Says the official reports of Hamilton and Knox have led to a variety of reactions.
11From James Madison to John Dawson, 3 January 1801 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 3 January 1801. Acknowledged in Dawson to JM, 29 Jan. 1801 . Mentioned in George W. Erving to Monroe, 25 Jan. 1801 (DLC: Monroe Papers), and described in James Gunn to Alexander Hamilton, 9 Jan. 1801, as follows: “I have Seen a letter from Mr. Madison to one of the Virginia Representatives, in which he Says that in the event of the present House of Representatives not...
12To James Madison from John Dawson, 23 January 1794 (Madison Papers)
On yesterday I recievd your letter of the 15. & on the day before wrote to you. The opposition made to the resolutions which you presented to the house can only arise from the two causes which you mention, & from the spirit of that party, which I am persuaded is ever ready to sacrifice the interest of the country, for the advancement of individuals. I trust it will prove abortive. If it does...
13To James Madison from John Dawson, 10 July 1797 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 10 July 1797. Mentioned in JM to Jefferson, 2 Aug. 1797 . Informs JM that James Monroe should be in Virginia within two weeks.
14To James Madison from John Dawson, 2 March 1794 (Madison Papers)
The last evenings stage brought me your letter & a paper of the 21. of the last month. Before it was not doubted here, that M. Fauchet was appointed to succeed Genet—had arrivd with the fleet at Norfolk & immediately proceeded on to Pha. & yet by the paper of the 21. it appears that he has not arrivd, & doubts are started as to this appointment. This affair appears involvd in some obscurity,...
15To James Madison from John Dawson, 6 December 1793 (Madison Papers)
Your session no doubt commencd on the last monday & the communications which you will have it in your power to make to your friends for some time will be very interesting. I feel great anxiety to learn what direction the politiks of the present congress will take & must solicit a renewal of our correspondence. The general assembly will probably adjourn in two days. Those resolutions relative...
16To James Madison from John Dawson, 28 June 1807 (Madison Papers)
The recent outrage near our capes has excited an indignant feeling which extends to every description of persons in this place. Agreably to the inclosd notice the citizens assembled on yesterday, and appointed a committee to prepare an address to the President declaratory of their feelings, of their confidence in the administration, and determination to support our rights &c. By many it is...
17To James Madison from John Dawson, [18 September] 1789 (Madison Papers)
By yesterday’s post of receiv’d your two letters dated on Monday and Wednesday. The legislature of this state have pass’d an act granting to Congress the Jurisdiction of ten miles square on any part they shall please, not [ sic ] have said nothing relative to the Susqh. I lament with you the decisions of the Senate on the subject of amendments. This circumstance added to the combination formd...
18To James Madison from John Dawson, 18 February 1788 (Madison Papers)
It is now several months since I was honord with a letter from you. During the recess of Congress, while your attention was not closely confind to public business, and while the situation of the Union must have furnishd you with daily information which woud have been interesting to you, I flatterd myself you woud not have neglected your friend. The approaching elections are the subject of...
19To James Madison from John Dawson, 7 September 1797 (Madison Papers)
I left Philaa. on the 1st. & arrivd here on the 5. In the morning I shall go to Richmond for a few days to arrange some private matters. The result of the enquiries of the committee has been more favourable than I expected, and will be a bitter pill to the British minister, our Secretary of state & their faction. We have deemd it proper not to make our proceedings public, untill laid before...
20To James Madison from John Dawson, 27 November 1792 (Madison Papers)
I am honord with your favour of the 21st. inst., for which youll be pleased to recieve my thanks. I inclose you a list of the Electors of our state agreeably to the returns to the Executive. The member from the Berkeley district is the only one who will be in favour of the present Vice President, & he is indebted to the bad day for his election as he was opposed by Colo Smith. All the others...
21To James Madison from John Dawson, 1 August 1790 (Madison Papers)
I am favour’d with your letter of the 24 ulto. with a paper inclos’d, for which I beg you’ll accept my thanks. I am sorry that this assumption business is again reviv’d, altho in a less exceptionable shape than it at first appear’d. To my mind it is hideous in any form; & the zeal & perseverance of the eastern members discover how much that part of the continent is interested in its adoption....
22To James Madison from John Dawson, 13 August 1797 (Madison Papers)
By the mail on Thursday I recievd your favour of the Int. On the 12 of the last month we sent a messenger to Tennessee for some persons & papers, & have good reason to conclude that we shall get some material testimony from that quarter. For his return I wait, & shall on it set out for Virginia, if I can escape the fever which is pretty prevalent here, notwithstanding the heavy rains which we...
23To James Madison from John Dawson, 1 February 1800 (Madison Papers)
This will find you on your farm & I hope with restord health. According to practice we have had a bankrupt law before us for many days. The final question on it is pospond untill tuesday week, & the fate of it uncertain —tho I much fear that it will pass—you well know what they can do by time—there was a majority of 20 agt it when introducd. You observe by the papers that there is a small...
24To James Madison from John Dawson, 18 January 1795 (Madison Papers)
We have an account here that France has made peace with Prussia, which seems to gain belief—the enclosd hand bill I receivd from a friend at Norfolk & is taken from a letter to Mr. Pennock of that place. We also hear that the duke of York has met with another severe defeat—that he lost great part of his army, & that the rest savd themselves by flight. At what time do you expect to adjourn?...
25To James Madison from John Dawson, 5 April 1798 (Madison Papers)
I have recievd your favour of the 26th. ultimo, & now enclose you an insurance & a letter for Mrs. Madison, to whom I beg you to present me with much respect. You have seen that on the 19th. of the last month the president sent to us a message, & that in consequence of a request from our house his instructions, & all the despatches from our commissioners were sent to us confidentially —for...
26To James Madison from John Dawson, 18 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
This will be handed to you by Capn. Barney, who believes, and I believe with him, that he has been treated very ill by the post office department. As that will, I expect, soon fall under your superintendence, I recommend him to you, as a person worthy any encouragement which you can afford him. Yrs, RC ( DLC ). Docketed by JM. See Barney to JM, 27 Apr. 1801 . John Dawson (1762–1814) was an old...
27To 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...
28To James Madison from John Dawson, 17 August 1800 (Madison Papers)
I[t] behoves us to be on our guard, for you may be assurd, that notwithstanding the known view of this state, our opponents are making every exertion, & are not without hopes to carrying the approaching election against us, either by fair or foul means—on yesterday I was informd by one of the party, that they had a well concerted plan, (which was a secret) which woud give them the vote of this...
29To James Madison from John Dawson, 25 September 1787 (Madison Papers)
On my arrival in this town, on the last evening, I was much disappointed in receiving no letter from you. The proceedings of the Convention have been forwarded by Mr. Randolph to Messrs. Mercer and Monroe, and are at this moment the subject of general conversation in every part of the town, and will soon be in every quarter of the state. Opinions have already been deliver’d, and that work,...
30To James Madison from John Dawson, [27 September] 1789 (Madison Papers)
By yesterday’s post of receivd your favour of Friday. 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, 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....
31To James Madison from John Dawson, 20 March 1789 (Madison Papers)
When you were in this town I took the liberty of mentioning to you that I expected a bill from Mr. Ambler, which I thought might be forwarded to New York. This bill has not come to hand and my finances being rather low I have taken the liberty of drawing on you in favour of Colo Coles for seven Guineas; a liberty which I hope you will excuse, and may be assurd that I will forward a bill on New...
32To James Madison from John Dawson, 5 February 1799 (Madison Papers)
By the saturdays mail I recievd your favour —the one due on today is not yet in, altho it is evening, owing I presume to the badness of the roads. Within the last ten days we have had several petitions for the repeal of the alien & sedition laws, & have reason to look for more, & from quarters where least expected. Hartley is in an unpleasant situation, his district having in general petitiond...
33To James Madison from John Dawson, 28 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
You will be pleas’d to accept my thanks for the Journals receivd a few days since by mr. Hopkins, from whom I learnt the different subjects which engage the attention of Congress and the variety of opinions on some of them. You have it in contemplation, I hear, to adjourn in August. Surely you will not do this without recommending those alterations which have been so ardently desird by many of...
34To James Madison from John Dawson, 18 December 1800 (Madison Papers)
The votes of all the states are now assertaind except Kentucky and Tennessee, of which a doubt does not exist—there will be 73 for Jefferson, and the same number for Burr. It then becomes our duty to select—the feds have it in contemplation to support the latter, not from a wish to elect him, but to prevent a choice by withholding a majority of the states , as Vermont will be divided and...
35To James Madison from John Dawson, 23 February 1800 (Madison Papers)
We have passd another law prohibiting the intercourse with France & her dependencies, & fear we shall have a bankrupt system—the bill has gone up to the Senate by the vote of our speaker, where it woud have been rejected on the first reading had not Mr. Pinckney been absent, & Mr. Cocke, who is opposed to it, voted in favour of it—on its third reading in our house an equall division took...
36To James Madison from John Dawson, 2 May 1804 (Madison Papers)
The inclosd was handed to me on yesterday with a request that I woud forward it to you. The election of Governor has been contested in this state with uncommon warmth & exertions. The result will be highly flattering to Mr. Lewis. Yrs, with much esteem RC ( DLC ). The enclosure has not been identified. For Morgan Lewis’s defeat of Aaron Burr in the New York gubernatorial contest of 1804, see...
37To 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...
38To James Madison from John Dawson, 14 July 1787 (Madison Papers)
It is now some time since I was honourd with a letter from you. Either your engagements in public business, or the want of something new, I presume has been the cause of it. Nothing has taken place in this state worth communicating. The people in general appear much discontented. To make property receivable in payment of debts appears to be the most favour’d plan at present. The people of this...
39To James Madison from John Dawson, 7 December 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From John Dawson. 7 December 1805, Washington. “I inclose a letter [not found] from Mr. Poinsett of South Carolina with whom I am well acquainted and believe him to be a young gentleman of much merit —if you think proper to comply with his request you will be pleasd to forward your letter to me.” RC ( DLC ). 1 p. Joel Roberts Poinsett (1779–1851) was born in Charleston, South Carolina, and...
40To James Madison from John Dawson, [22 March] 1789 (Madison Papers)
You will be surpris’d at the receipt of a letter from me dated at Philadelphia on the 22d March. I have been detaind here much Longer than I expected, but shall set out on wednesday. I trust I need not apologize to you for mentioning that, if in the general arraignment, there shoud be any office, worthy my attention, and the duties of which you think me adequate to, you will have my name...
41To James Madison from John Dawson, 2 March 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
2 March 1803. “The Danish claim is referrd to Morris, Tracy and Jackson, and I suspect will be lost if not explaind by you to some of our friends.” RC ( DLC ). 1 p. Dated “Wednesday.” Date here assigned on the basis of internal evidence. On 2 Mar. Gouverneur Morris, Uriah Tracy, and James Jackson were constituted a Senate committee to report on the act allowing restitution to the owners of the...
42To James Madison from John Dawson, 30 March 1800 (Madison Papers)
I am favourd with your letter without date, & will attend to your observations relative to the post office—as some new arrangements are to be made, & Wyatt I learn is about to quit it is to be hopd that the evils of which you complain may be cur’d. I hear with much pain that you will not again go into the legislature—accounts from the different parts of the Union are favourable to the crisis...
43To James Madison from John Dawson, 29 November 1808 (Madison Papers)
I received the enclosed letter a few days ago, and learn from the Secretary of the navy that there is not any vessel which will soon sail for N. Orleans. I have advised the writer to take a passage in a private vessel. I will thank you for any farther information, if you have any. With sincere Esteem Your most Ot: DLC : Papers of James Madison.
44To James Madison from John Dawson, 4 July 1790 (Madison Papers)
I am favourd with your letter of the 24th. ulto, & request that you’ll accept my thanks for it, & for your attention to the business with Twining. I fear that my chance for payment from that quarter is a very bad one. Shoud the bill give him any money I must repeat my request to you to secure some for me as realy it is an object of some consequence, & a debt which ought to be paid. I am sorry...
45To James Madison from John Dawson, 18 May 1797 (Madison Papers)
I am sorry to find all your apprehensions verified by the Presidents warlike speech —to it we shall reply in a day or two in a stile rather more pacific, I trust —tho we are very equally divided, & there is reason to fear that Mr. Rutledge, of the committee, will take a course different from what was expected, & to be wishd. We have no late accounts from Monroe, but expect him daily &...
46To James Madison from John Dawson, 7 July 1790 (Madison Papers)
The Gentleman who will hand you this is a Mr. Austin, whom I take the liberty of introducing to your attention. He is interested in the establishment of a shot manufactory in this state, which the legislature has thought proper to encourage, & which promises to be productive of considerable advantage. Hi[s] wish is to get assistance from the general goverment in some or other—& I am confident...
47To James Madison from John Dawson, 12 February 1794 (Madison Papers)
It was with much pleasure I heard by the last evenings stage that the first of your resolutions had pervaild by a majority of five in the house of representatives, & most sincerely do I wish that they may ultimately succeed, fully convincd of this important truth “that the nation which commands our commerce, will have a weight in our public counsels.[”] The thing cannot be otherwise. Some of...
48To 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...
49To James Madison from John Dawson, 24 March 1794 (Madison Papers)
I am much surprisd at some resolutions which I see in the papers brought forward by Sedwick. It woud appear that the fiscal party have all at once changd their ground. They seem to oppose the interest of that country, which heretofore they have advocated, & to provoke a war. The public mind appears a good deal agitated about war—all appear to which [ sic ] to avoid it if possible—but shoud G....
50To 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...