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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Samuel Medary letter to Moses Dawson

Samuel Medary

Letter from Medary (Columbus, Ohio) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding bill for mail contract, Whig reactions to elections, and hopes for Democrats from Hamilton County.

8-16-1839
Samuel Medary letter to Moses Dawson

Samuel Medary

Letter from Medary (Columbus, Ohio) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) about the case of Jonah Martin before the Public Works Board.

3-14-1839
Levi Woodbury letter to Moses Dawson

Levi Woodbury

Letter from Woodbury (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding public revenues, recent elections, and Maine and Vermont going Democratic.

9-16-1839
Thomas Hart Benton letter to Moses Dawson

Thomas Hart Benton

Letter from Benton (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding chance for the sub-treasury, the influx of specie, the passage of the resumption note bill, and telling Dawson that he can send any number of copies of speeches required.

4-20-1838
Thomas Hart Benton letter to Moses Dawson

Thomas Hart Benton

Letter from Benton (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) concerning Robert Lytle and the nomination and confirmation of Haines.

6-6-1838
Andrew Jackson letter to Moses Dawson

Andrew Jackson

Letter from Jackson (Hermitage) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding Jackson's poor health and Democratic strength throughout country.

4-10-1838
Richard Mentor Johnson letter to Moses Dawson

Richard Mentor Johnson

Letter from Johnson to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) discussing the Democrats of Hamilton County.

4-12-1838
Levi Woodbury letter to Moses Dawson

Levi Woodbury

Letter from Woodbury (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) about Major Neville's reappointment and the general political situation.

7-30-1838
Levi Woodbury letter to Moses Dawson

Levi Woodbury

Letter from Woodbury (Treasury Department, Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) discussing the fate of the Independent Treasury Bill.

1-31-1838
Levi Woodbury letter to Moses Dawson

Levi Woodbury

Letter from Woodbury (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding an appointment to the Cincinnati Land Office; Woodbury's friends in New Hampshire want him back.

6-4-1838
William Allen letter to Moses Dawson

William Allen

Letter from Allen (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) about the resolutions of Democrats of Hamilton County and the contest for civil liberty.

10-5-1837
William Henry Harrison letter to Moses Dawson

William Henry Harrison

Letter from Harrison (North Bend, Ohio) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding his failure to answer the letter about the press; on visit to Cincinnati found no one at Dawson's home; became sick, and returned home immediately. Proposed address before the Historical Society of Ohio; may not be able to get to Columbus; will sell press for as much as possible in cash or short time credit.

12-12-1837
Andrew Jackson letter to Moses Dawson

Andrew Jackson

Letter from Jackson (Hermitage) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding Jackson's injury on his right arm and shoulder, his effort to block the recharter defeated in the Senate, Pennsylvania report on Biddle's bank, constitutionality of paper credit system, and Dawson's forthcoming public address.

5-26-1837
Andrew Jackson letter to Moses Dawson

Andrew Jackson

Letter from Jackson (Hermitage) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) discusses political policy in Nashville favorable to the shinplaster party; Jackson's warnings have been unheeded; Hope for Tennessee's return to the Republican fold; Presidential message; Biddle's activities; Republican lack of confidence in all banks; Separation of government from both churches and banks; Answer to Richmond Enquirer's charges against the administration; Praise for Dawson's work; and controlling banks at least from issuing small notes.

8-31-1837
Andrew Jackson letter to Moses Dawson

Andrew Jackson

Letter from Jackson (Hermitage) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) discusses the separation of the treasury from the banks, temporary victory of Federalists, the return of conservatism to the Republican Party, New York elections, Van Buren's recommendations to Congress, and his justification of the use of state banks and the advantages of constitutional legislation.

12-17-1837
Hiram Powers letter to Moses Dawson

Hiram Powers

Letter from Powers (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding dispute between the New York Committee and President Van Buren; reminiscences of hunting around Cincinnati; old friends; Dawson should write; Powers has secured a writer's job in Washington; getting ready to return to Boston; will be in Cincinnati next June or July.

5-2-1837
Martin Van Buren letter to Moses Dawson

Martin Van Buren

Letter from Van Buren (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding his gratitude to Dawson.

12-23-1837
Levi Woodbury letter to Moses Dawson

Levi Woodbury

Letter from Woodbury (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding the treasury bill and democracy.

10-30-1837
Levi Woodbury letter to Moses Dawson

Levi Woodbury

Letter from Woodbury (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding the National Bank.

10-9-1837
William Allen letter to Moses Dawson

William Allen

Letter from Allen (Columbus, Ohio) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) declining Dawson's invitation to the Friends of Free Principles dinner in Cincinnati, Ohio on March 4, 1836.

3-1-1836
Samuel Beardsley

Samuel Beardsley

Letter from Beardsley (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) declining an invitation to the Friends of Free Principles dinner in Cincinnati, Ohio on March 4, 1836 with regret and commenting "Triumph marred by sinister cloud in Pennsylvania."

2-23-1836
Thomas Hart Benton letter to Moses Dawson

Thomas Hart Benton

Letter from Benton (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding the Life & Trust case; Benton's published opinions upon banking system; the confirmation of Robert T. Lytle as surveyor general; and an opinion of a Georgia judge on bank charters (enclosed newspaper clipping).

1-3-1836
Churchill Caldom Cambreleng letter to Moses Dawson

Churchill Cambreleng

Cambreleng (Washington) writes to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) declining invitation to Friends of Free Principles dinner on March 4, 1836 in Cincinnati, Ohio with regrets and expresses his opinions on paper currency and ending the banking regime.

2-10-1836
Lewis Cass letter to Moses Dawson

Lewis Cass

Cass (Washington) writes Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) that public duties will not allow his acceptation to the Friends of Free Principles dinner in Cincinnati, Ohio on March 4, 1836 and expresses that "Public Sentiment - the last and safest appeal in a Republican Government."

2-13-1836
William Conclin letter to Moses Dawson

William Conclin

Conclin (House of Representatives, Columbus, Ohio) writes to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) that public affairs, etc. force him to decline the invitation to the Friends of Free Principles dinner in Cincinnati, Ohio on March 4, 1836. He expresses his views on old money system, arguing that freedom from all such systems is all for the good of the United States.

2-22-1836