Moses Dawson Correspondence | University Archives and Special Collections

Introduction

Xavier University is pleased to present the digitized and transcribed collection of letters from politicians of the Jacksonian era. The collection documents candid discussion about the most controversial issues of the era, from some of the most powerful men in the country. The letters were written to Moses Dawson (1768-1844), editor of the Cincinnati Advertiser, a direct predecessor of today's Cincinnati Enquirer. Dawson was a well-connected figure, and these letters reflect his friendships and associations with many politicians including four United States presidents (Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren, James K. Polk, and William Henry Harrison); several senators, congressmen and governors; military personnel; and other notable individuals.

The Collection

The collection consists of 182 letters written between 1811 and 1844.

Source of Acquisition

The Moses Dawson Correspondence was donated to Xavier University in 1934 by Joseph Debar, a prominent alumnus of Xavier University whose spouse was a descendant of Moses Dawson.

Credits

Participants in the project from Xavier University included Amy Ensor, former Director, University Library; Marty Ferrell, Head, Collection Development, Special collections, & Preservation; and Marcia Poggione, Head, Web Services & Open Access. Teresa Chupp, a volunteer who devoted countless hours reviewing transcriptions and uploading files, was an indispensable member of the project team and we appreciate her contribution. We thank our digitization partner, the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County; and our transcription vendor, Backstage Library Works. The digitization and transcription of the collection was made possible through a grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), awarded by the State Library of Ohio in 2010.

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James K. Polk letter to Moses Dawson

James K. Polk

Letter from Polk (Columbia, Tennessee) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding electoral victory in Ohio, Maryland, etc.; Clay's future political standing; situation in Tennessee; strategy of delaying the nomination till the last minute; allow opponents to nominate first, and then secure the opposition of all democratic aspirants.

10-19-1842
Martin Van Buren letter to Moses Dawson

Martin Van Buren

Letter from Van Buren (Kinderhook, New York) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) thanking and congratulating Dawson for efforts in Ohio; thanks and remembrances to all those who made the journey pleasant; belief in great example to be shown the rest of the country in the Ohio elections next Monday.

10-25-1842
Levi Woodbury letter to Moses Dawson

Levi Woodbury

Letter from Woodbury (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding extra copies of the census, the political situation of the Whigs, and Democratic ideals.

1-24-1842
James H. Ewing letter to Moses Dawson

James H. Ewing

Letter from Ewing (Representative Hall, Columbus, Ohio) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding the election of Hamilton County delegates to the legislature, public debt and canal fund Commissions, and amendment to city charters.

12-21-1841
Andrew Jackson letter to Moses Dawson

Andrew Jackson

Letter from Jackson (Hermitage) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) noting that Jackson's bad health prevents him from writing for the public, and suggesting that Dawson needs to do it for him. Jackson shares arguments to be used against paper money system advocates.

9-28-1841
Andrew Jackson letter to Moses Dawson

Andrew Jackson

Letter from Jackson (Hermitage) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding Jackson's views on currency and his poor health.

12-16-1841
Levi Woodbury letter to Moses Dawson

Levi Woodbury

Letter from Woodbury (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding the currency question and bank losses. Woodbury writes that Fiscal Bank Bill no. 2 will be vetoed if passed by the Senate.

8-29-1841
Thomas Hart Benton letter to Moses Dawson

Thomas Hart Benton

Letter from Benton (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding Dawson's paper taking the lead in bringing forward Martin Van Buren for president in 1844, Benton also early in this move. Benton mentions that he was first public man not originally for Jackson to come out for him in the winter of 1824-1825.

1-9-1840
Thomas Hart Benton letter to Moses Dawson

Thomas Hart Benton

Letter from Benton (Senate Chambers, Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding early activities on behalf of Martin Van Buren for president in 1844, Van Buren's good health, and arguing that the cause and the man [Van Buren] is worthy of help.

12-9-1840
Francis Preston Blair letter to Moses Dawson

Francis Preston Blair

Letter from Blair (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding a proposed condensed life of Martin Van Buren and Col. Johnson; correspondence between William Henry Harrison and Colonel Groghan; the Sandusky affair; aid for Dawson's Life of Van Buren; and anxiety for Federalist interpretation of certain articles.

6-8-1840
K. Duncan letter to Moses Dawson

K. Duncan

Letter from Duncan (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding action on request for information of the political successes of Van Buren. Duncan writes that the paper was supplied by the President himself; other questions not understood.

6-17-1840
Thomas Holt letter to Moses Dawson

Thomas Holt

Letter from Holt (Paris, Kentucky) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding wrong interpretation of remarks in recent speech; did not refer to Duncan and Tappan of Ohio as abolitionists; Whig misrepresentations; request for materials to fight against Bank in Kentucky.

8-6-1840
Andrew Jackson Jr. letter to Moses Dawson

Andrew Jackson Jr.

Letter from Jackson Jr. (Hermitage) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) discusses Andrew Jackson Sr.'s trip to New Orleans.

1-7-1840
Andrew Jackson letter to Moses Dawson

Andrew Jackson

Letter from Jackson (Hermitage) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding the Democratic National Convention in Baltimore and the fight against monetary power.

4-22-1840
Andrew Jackson letter to Moses Dawson

Andrew Jackson

Letter from Jackson (Hermitage) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) about Miner Kilbourne Kellogg's portrait of Jackson, the presidential election, and candidates for vice-presidents.

4-1-1840
Andrew Jackson letter to Moses Dawson

Andrew Jackson

Letter from Jackson (Hermitage) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding the Jackson's illness, General William Henry Harrison's candidacy for president, and Martin Van Buren's military policy.

8-10-1840
Miner K. Kellogg letter to Moses Dawson

Miner K. Kellogg

Letter from Kellogg (Hermitage) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding a portrait of Jackson soon to be finished and predicting its success. Letter also addresses Jackson's health, character, and opinions; presidential campaign in Tennessee; and a projected portrait of Polk.

4-17-1840
Amos Kendall letter to Moses Dawson

Amos Kendall

Letter from Kendall (Cincinnati, Ohio) to Dawson, William Burke, and others (Cincinnati, Ohio) declining invitation to attend the Friends of Free Principles dinner in Cincinnati, Ohio on March 4, 1836 and expressing hopes for ultimate victory.

11-14-1840
Samuel Medary letter to Moses Dawson

Samuel Medary

Letter from Medary (Columbus, Ohio) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) about a quarrel between Buchanan and Lloyd. Medary says that Dawson should put the matter right in Cincinnati.

2-13-1840
James Wilson & Co. receipt

James Wilson

Receipt from James Wilson & Co. (Cincinnati, Ohio) for money received from Andrew Jackson as payment for a cotton press delivered to his son's Mississippi plantation.

1-14-1840
Levi Woodbury letter to Moses Dawson

Levi Woodbury

Letter from Woodbury (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) about the second edition of Holland's Life of Van Buren printed in 1836 and the political situation in Ohio.

8-13-1840
Levi Woodbury letter to Moses Dawson

Levi Woodbury

Letter from Woodbury (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) about a letter from Mr. Smith that was stolen and published. Woodbury writes that there was fraud at polls in Pennsylvania, New York, and Virginia, but victory is expected.

11-1-1840
Levi Woodbury letter to Moses Dawson

Levi Woodbury

Letter from Woodbury (Treasury Department, Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding two copies of commercial statements for the past year.

9-5-1840
Andrew Jackson letter to Moses Dawson

Andrew Jackson

Letter from Jackson (Hermitage) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) about victory over Whigs and Federals, Henry Clay's election victory, Mississippi election results, and negotiations for the purchase of a cotton press for Jackson's plantation in Mississippi.

11-25-1839
Andrew Jackson letter to Moses Dawson

Andrew Jackson

Letter from Jackson (Hermitage) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding the purchase of cotton press, Jackson's ill health and failing eyesight, and remarks that his banking reform ideas are for Dawson's eyes alone.

12-9-1839