1To James Madison from John Dawson, [25 March] 1812 (Madison Papers)
I do think that the appointment of federalists to command both the regiments in Virginia will give discontent, and the rejection of one Major, and nomination of others, whose pretentions are not higher, will increase that discontent. You will readily appreciate the motive from which this opinion is given, and will believe me to be sincerely Your friend RC ( DLC ). Docketed by JM. Undated; date...
2To James Madison from John Dawson, 20 June 1810 (Madison Papers)
It is reported that congress will be convend during the summer. I will thank you for information on this point, thereby to govern my summer movements, as well as upon any other. With much Esteem Your friend RC ( DLC ). Several newspapers printed a report to this effect. The source of the story was given as the N.Y. Evening Post , which made the claim shortly after the frigate John Adams...
3To James Madison from John Dawson, 16 November 1809 (Madison Papers)
The unfortunate death of Go: Lewis leaves that office vacant. I have some thoughts of accepting the appointment shoud I be calld to it, altho I shoud wish to see you before it is made. No person knows better than yourself how far I am capable of discharging the duties and what my claims on the public are. With sincere regard Your friend RC ( DNA : RG 59, LAR , 1809–17, filed under “Dawson”)....
4To 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.
5To 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...
6To James Madison from John Dawson, July 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From John Dawson. July 1806. “Mr. R. Hackley has made known to me his wish to receive a consular appointment to some of the French ports—altho a countryman of ours you may be unacquainted with Mr. Hackley; I have long & well known him, & feel a pleasure in recommending him to you as a gentleman who woud, with advantage and credit, fill any such appointment to which the President shall think...
7To James Madison from John Dawson, 5 July 1806 (Madison Papers)
I have on this morning seen a letter from the Marqs. de Yrujo, the contents of which, it seemeth to me, ought to be made known—it is written to General Dayton, and, agreeably to request forwarded to Colonel Wm Smith, under an impression that his son, who is with Miranda, had been capturd by the Spaniards. He begins by stating, that notwithstanding he had some political differences with Mr....
8To James Madison from John Dawson, 26 June 1806 (Madison Papers)
I spent some hours on yesterday in the company of Govr. Mc.Kean; Mr. Dallas, Mr. Rodney and others—most of the conversation turnd on Miranda, and on the propriety of your attending the Court on the 14th. of the next month—there was one decided opinion, that, both legally and politically, you ought to attend. I mention this under a belief, that shoud it be determind not to come, some measures...
9To James Madison from John Dawson, 15 June 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From John Dawson. 15 June 1806, Fredericksburg. “I inclose you one hundred dollars which you lent to me on my leaving Washington, with many thanks for your kindness, & regret for the delay in returning them which has been caus’d by the uncommon scarcity of money. “It is probable that I shall have the pleasure to see you in a week on my way to the north.” RC ( DLC ). 1 p.
10To James Madison from John Dawson, 28 May 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From John Dawson. 28 May 1806, Fredericksburg. “I take the liberty to present to you Docr. Wellford, who, with his daughter, proposes to pass a day in this city, on their way to the north—and to pray your attention to them, as the young lady is anxious to see any thing worthy notice.” RC ( DLC ). 1 p. This was probably Robert Wellford (1753–1823), a physician who came to America with the...
11To James Madison from John Dawson, 28 April 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From John Dawson. 28 April 1806, Fredericksburg. “I take the liberty to present to you Mr Morales consul general from the Batavian republic for the Southern states.” RC ( DLC ). 1 p.
12To James Madison from John Dawson, 23 April 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From John Dawson. 23 April 1806. “I call’d to see you on this morning, but you were engag’d. I am much push’d for some money to clear out and if you can lend me one hundred dollars it Shall be returnd with many thank [ sic ] on the day I arrive at Fredericksburg.” RC ( DLC ). 1 p.
13To 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...
14To James Madison from John Dawson, 9 October 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From John Dawson. 9 October 1805. “I have pleasure in presenting to you Mr. Fuller—a gentleman, and a member of the legislature of S. Carolina, who, with an amiable lady, has been on a visit to the Eastern states, and is now on his return. I pray your civilities to them and a belief in the regard of Your friend & Sert.” RC ( DLC ). 1 p. This was Christopher Fuller (1777–1818), a physician...
15To James Madison from John Dawson, 7 May 1804 (Madison Papers)
Some private business brought me from New York, & will hurry me back in three or four days. I met Mr Cutts & his lady at the North river & they were well. It is reported that Mr. Monroe, Mr. Livingston and perhaps Mr. Pinkney are about to return—shoud that be the case & the administration shoud think proper to appoint me I will go, & shoud prefer France. Accounts are receivd on this morning,...
16To 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...
17To James Madison from John Dawson, 29 October 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 October 1803, Washington . “Some time ago I intimated to you my willingness to go to New Orleans, and reflection has not chang’d that disposition, provided I can be plac’d in a situation not subordinate.… The length of time I have been in public life, the situations I have been placd in, and the conduct and principles I have supported are well known to you and to Mr. Jefferson.” RC ( DNA :...
18To James Madison from John Dawson, 7 August 1803 (Madison Papers)
I am favourd with your letter of the 31. ulto, for which I thank you. I find that efforts are making in the eastern states and in N. Jersey to form an opposition to the ratification of the convention with France—the ground taken is, that it will be impolitic to give 15 million of dollars, for that which will prove injurious to those states, by withdrawing their inhabitants and thusly giving...
19To James Madison from John Dawson, 29 July 1803 (Madison Papers)
I arriv’d here about an hour ago—soon after I saw Commodore Barney, who presented to me Mr. Dalbart, on the latter’s withdrawing, the commodore informd me that he was Jerome Bounaparte, who was here with his Secretary, and a son of General Reubell on their return to France—they stay at Barney’s, whose character you know. He has purchas’d a carriage and horses for them, and Reubell has already...
20To 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...
21To James Madison from John Dawson, 8 August 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 August 1802, Fredericksburg. “At the request of some of the lawyers and merchants at this place I state to you that they recieve great inconvenience for the want of some commissioners of bankruptcy, and to mention John Minor, Hugh Mercer, Benjamin Day, Stephen Winchester, and Thomas Goodwin as proper persons, shoud it be determind to appoint. I expect to leave this today & will thank you to...
22To James Madison from John Dawson, 8 March 1802 (Madison Papers)
I am very sorry for the information which you came on the last Evening relative to Skipwith’s claim. I fear it will prove very injurious to him, as he has drawn bills, counting on this fund, which will be protested. I have written to Mr. Purviance to come to this place, under an expectation that he can give some usefull information. On conversing with the Secy of the treasury I find, that some...
23To James Madison from John Dawson, 5 August 1801 (Madison Papers)
My letter to “the Secretary of State,” of this date will inform you of the ratification of the convention. The probable causes of the delay will be communicated when we meet. The ultimate result may be attributed to the first Consul, and I am happy in the reflection that my honest endeavours to serve my country have not been without their effect. After the departure of the ship which takes the...
24To 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...
25To James Madison from John Dawson, 27 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 27 May 1801, Paris. Mentioned in JM to Levi Lincoln, 25 July 1801 , and JM to Monroe, 25 July 1801 . Appearances indicate the convention will be ratified by France, but stage for formal ratification has not been reached.
26To James Madison from John Dawson, 21 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
I regret that we did not meet before my sailing, which I expect will be on tomorrow. My trip will, I hope, prove usefull to my country, and advantageous and agreeable to myself. I shall return early in the fall, and expect that it will not be attempted in the district to take an advantage of my absence, or shoud it be that the attempt will be resisted by my friends. My wishes are to obtain...
27To 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...
28To James Madison from John Dawson, 12 February 1801 (Madison Papers)
I am much hurt that I cannot communicate to you, and to my other friends in Orange and Madison the pleasing information which I anticipated in my last—the enclosd paper will shew to you our proceedings —on today we met at twelve and gave one vote, the result of which was the same as before—we then suspended voting untill tomorrow at eleven, and all other business is prohibited by a rule. What...
29To James Madison from John Dawson, 29 January 1801 (Madison Papers)
I thank you for your favour of the 3d: Int. and wish you had continu’d your communications on the subjects therein treated on—I cannot say with certainty what will be the result on the 11th. of the next month, however I think nine states will be found decided for Mr. J. and that the others will give way—you shall be informd at the earliest moment, and I wish you to collect as many gentlemen as...
30To 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...