1To 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...
2To 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,...
3To 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...
4To 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...
5To 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...
6To 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...
7To 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...
8To James Madison from John Dawson, 30 September 1788 (Madison Papers)
A spraind wrist, which is by no means well, has prevented my answering your two letters receivd in due time. The attention of every person in this place has been taken up by one Willet and Lindley, men who were some days since apprehended, and committed to goal on suspicion of counterfeiting continental final settlement certificates. On Friday last they were try’d by the court of this...
9To James Madison from John Dawson, 20 August 1788 (Madison Papers)
I have not been honour’d with a letter from you since your return to New York, for which I must express my disappointment, altho I am more willing to attribute it to the many engagements which you have than to any other cause—the want of something new has prevented my writing. The rejection of the constitution by the State of N. Carolina, at this period, has been the cause of as much surprise...
10To James Madison from John Dawson, 20 July 1785 (Madison Papers)
Your goodness will excuse me, for addressing this letter to you, when you consider of what consequence it may be to me. The General Assembly, at their Session in October last, I find, had it in contemplation to pass an Act respecting Naval Officers, by which Collectors are to be appointed to the several Districts; and altho it did not then pass for want of a sufficient number of members to...