To James Madison from John Dawson, 20 July 1785
From John Dawson
Springhill July 20. 1785
Dear Sir
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 make a house, I am informd that, in all probability, it will this fall.1
I wish to have my Name mention’d for the Collectorship of this river, & therefore have wrote to you on the occasion, well knowing of what Assistance you can be to me on the occasion, if you think proper to advocate my interest; I scarce need add, that I shall ever retain a Grateful Sense of the favour. Receive the Compliments of Mr. Jones, and accept the same from, Dear Sir, Yr. Hm: Sert
J Dawson
RC (DLC). Cover missing. Docketed by JM.
1. A bill to amend the 1783 act “for the appointment of Naval-Officers, and ascertaining their fees” was presented at the Oct. 1784 session of the House of Delegates and although it passed three readings it apparently was never approved by the Senate ( , XI, 258–64; , Oct. 1784, p. 106). JM did introduce “a bill for appointing naval officers” at the Oct. 1785 session, but it was among the many measures planned for the code revision that were not acted upon before adjournment. Dawson was elected a delegate to the General Assembly in Apr. 1786 from Spotsylvania County ( , p. 25).