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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Moses Dawson letter to David T. Disney

Moses Dawson

Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) to Disney regarding an answer to Disney's request to have access to the files of Dawson's newspaper. Dawson responds that only one set exists, but because a refusal would be unfairly used, they will be placed at the disposal of a trusted mutual friend. Created between 1818-1844. Copy.

1836
William Ewing letter to Moses Dawson, E. S. Haines, and Lewis Parry

William Lee Davidson Ewing

Letter from Ewing (Washington) to Dawson, Haines, and Parry (Cincinnati, Ohio) declining invitation to the Friends of Free principles dinner on March 4, 1836 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Ewing writes that the battle over the bank will continue to be fought in Pennsylvania.

2-24-1836
T. C. Flournoy letter to Moses Dawson

T. C. Flournoy

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

3-3-1836
Henry D. Gilpin letter to Moses Dawson

Henry D. Gilipin

Letter from Gilpin (Philadelphia) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) declining invitation to the Friends of Free principles dinner on March 4, 1836 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Gilpin writes that the battle has not been won and the work is only half done.

2-19-1836
William S. Hatch letter to Moses Dawson

William S. Hatch

Letter from Hatch to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding Pennsylvania's rechartering of Bank of the United States as a cause for turning proposed 4th of March celebration into one of mourning.

2-7-1836
William S. Hatch letter to Moses Dawson

William S. Hatch

Letter from Hatch (Cincinnati, Ohio) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) about the need for more accurate publicity regarding the expiration of the charter of the Bank of the United States.

1-22-1836
Isaac Hill letter to Moses Dawson

Isaac Hill

Letter from Hill (Senate Chamber, Washington City) to Dawson & Others (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding events during Senate sessions of 1832-34 when the bank fought for a renewal of its charter; use of audiences against administration speeches; Benton's speech to the bare walls, later avidly read and very influential; Robbins' speech; letter writers in Senate used to minimize administration victories; Pennsylvania legislature's action can only be remedied by the people. P.S. Request for a copy of present letter if published.

2-22-1836
W. Holmes letter to Moses Dawson

W. Holmes

Letter from Holmes (Senate Chamber, Columbus, Ohio) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding elections in both branches of the assembly; all Democrats except Z. Mills, the present librarian.

2-9-1836
Richard Mentor Johnson letter to Moses Dawson

Richard Mentor Johnson

Letter from Johnson (Washington) to Dawson & others (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding praise for Jackson; public life in 1811; battle over renewal of bank charter; and subsequent opposition to bank.

2-5-1836
Bela Latham letter to Moses Dawson

Bela Latham

Letter from Latham (Post Office, Columbus, Ohio) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) declining invitation to the Friends of Free Principles dinner in Cincinnati, Ohio on March 4, 1836. Latham writes about the deliverance of the country from the United States Bank.

2-28-1836
Edward Livingston letter to Moses Dawson

Edward Livingston

Letter from Livingston (New York) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) declining to attend the Friends of Free Principles dinner in Cincinnati, Ohio on March 4, 1836 and sharing his opinion on the sovereignty of the people.

2-22-1836
Thomas Patrick Moore letter to Moses Dawson

Thomas Patrick Moore

Letter from Moore (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) declining invitation to the Friends of Free Principles dinner in Cincinnati, Ohio on March 4, 1836 due to private affairs, hopes for continued support of administration's policy, and assurance of personal support.

2-25-1836
Thomas Morris letter to Moses Dawson

Thomas Morris

Letter from Morris (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding underhand attempts of the bank to keep its charter and influence; the people, through the President, obtained victory only by supreme effort; praise for Jackson; thoughts on the importance of public opinion.

2-4-1836
John Milton Niles letter to Moses Dawson

John Milton Niles

Letter from Niles (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding Cincinnati as the right place to hold celebration; denouncement of Bank's policies; Pennsylvania's charter should have no effect on the celebration; regrets; "Chartered Monopolies - Formerly the expedients by which Kings enabled their favorites to plunder and oppress their subjects; now the means by which wealth seeks to increase its gains and acquire political influence."

2-10-1836
S. Penn Jr. letter to Moses Dawson, L. Day, C. R. Ramsay

S. Penn Jr.

Letter from Penn (Louisville, Kentucky) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding the question of the Bank of the United States; is the Bank is dead or only changed from Federal to State with a continuance of all its evils; Louisville businessmen desire a branch bank; people are convinced of Bank's evils; and opinions on Andrew Jackson.

3-2-1836
William Price letter to Moses Dawson

William Price

Letter from Price (Columbus, Ohio) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding the Ohio Senate to take steps prohibiting a similar bank charter as occurred in Pennsylvania. He writes "The Union of the Democratic party of Hamilton County; forgetting all differences, let us rally to the rescue, and all is safe."

3-2-1836
William C. Rives letter to Moses Dawson, E. S. Haines, and W. L. Hatch

William C. Rives

Letter from Rives (Castle-Hill, Virginia) to Dawson(Chairman), Haines, and Hatch (Cincinnati, Ohio) declining invitation to the Friends of Free Principles dinner on March 4, 1836 in Cincinnati, Ohio because of the season and distance even though he feels the subject is fit for rejoicing.

2-15-1836
Benjamin Tappan letter to Moses Dawson

Benjamin Tappan

Tappan (Columbus, Ohio) writes Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) declining an invitation from Dawson to the Friends of Free Principles dinner in Cincinnati, Ohio on March 4, 1836.

2-29-1836
Summary of Presidential Election Results

Unknown creator

Summary of election results by states, November 1836; Presidential election by states, 1828.

11-1836
Martin Van Buren letter to Looker & Ramsay

Martin Van Buren

Van Buren (Washington) writes to Looker & Ramsay (Cincinnati, Ohio) with a request to publish a letter in their paper.

4-5-1836
Martin Van Buren letter to Moses Dawson

Martin Van Buren

Van Buren (Washington) writes to Dawson (Cincinnati) with corrections for a letter regarding the March 4, 1836 Friends of Free Principles dinner in Cincinnati, Ohio.

2-26-1836
Martin Van Buren letter to Moses Dawson

Martin Van Buren

Letter from Van Buren (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) enclosing a copy of Van Buren's letter to the editors of the Cincinnati Republican and thanking Dawson for his friendly interest.

4-5-1836
Martin Van Buren to the Editors of the Cincinnati Republican

Martin Van Buren

Letter from Van Buren (Washington) to the editors of the Cincinnati Republican (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding Van Buren's denial of ever studying or forming a public opinion on the subject of the repeal of the charter of the Ohio Life Insurance & Trust Company; no one has any authority to express Van Buren's views.

4-5-1836
Levi Woodbury letter to Moses Dawson

Levi Woodbury

Woodbury (Washington) writes Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) declining an invitation to the Friends of Free Principles dinner in Cincinnati, Ohio on March 4, 1836.

2-3-1836
Robert T. Lytle letter to Moses Dawson

Robert T. Lytle

Letter from Lytle (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding the dismissal of Poins (?), the White affair in Congress, boundary disputes, and the "belligerent spirit" in Tennessee.

6-10-1835