To James Madison from John Dawson, 7 July 1790
From John Dawson
Richmond July 7th. 1790
Dear Sir!
The Gentleman who will hand you this is a Mr. Austin, whom I take the liberty of introducing to your attention.1
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 some2 or other—& I am confident you will forward that wish so far as from the statement he shall make it appears to you to be advantageous. With much respect & esteem Yr. friend & Serv
J Dawson
RC (DLC).
1. The bearer of this letter was Stephen Austin, older brother of Moses Austin (1761–1821), whose son was Stephen F. Austin (1793–1836) of Texas. Originally from Connecticut, the Austin brothers had recently leased the Chiswell lead mines in southwestern Virginia. Congress responded to their request for aid by laying a duty of one cent per pound on imported lead (, V, 186; Beverley Randolph to Jefferson, 10 July 1790, , XVII, 23 and n.; , I, 180).
2. Dawson omitted a word here.