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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Robert T. Lytle letter to Moses Dawson

Robert T. Lytle

Letter from Lytle (House of Representatives, Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding the political destruction of John Quincy Adams and discussing George Poindexter's defeat for reappointment to the United States Senate.

1-24-1835
Robert T. Lytle letter to Moses Dawson

Robert T. Lytle

Letter from Lytle (House of Representatives, Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding the nomination of Taney to the Supreme Court and the Post Office's change of printer in Cincinnati.

1-15-1835
Robert T. Lytle letter to Moses Dawson

Robert T. Lytle

Letter from Lytle (House of Representatives, Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) discusses the debate and vote on the bill to improve navigation on the Ohio River and affairs with France.

2-24-1835
Andrew Jackson Donelson letter to Moses Dawson

Andrew Jackson Donelson

Letter from Donelson (Hermitage) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) discusses the health of the president's daughter, his travel plans, and rumors of Jackson's health.

9-1-1834
William Berkeley Lewis letter to Moses Dawson

William Berkeley Lewis

Letter from Lewis (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding Lewis's distrust of the North American Newspaper.

5-2-1834
William Berkeley Lewis letter to Moses Dawson

William Berkeley Lewis

Letter from Lewis (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) commenting that neither Jackson nor the Republicans will advocate for a national bank and the majority in Congress has not diminished.

5-5-1834
James K. Polk letter to Moses Dawson

James K. Polk

Letter from Polk (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) commenting that the fate of the deposits is still before Congress and that debates have been lively but not reported in papers. He writes that Mr. Smyth [?] of Cincinnati is making himself famous and useful, and votes will be taken in the House of Representatives soon.

2-4-1834
John P. Van Ness letter to Moses Dawson

John Peter Van Ness

Letter from Van Ness (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati) regarding financial arrangements and the United States Bank.

7-21-1834
John P. Van Ness letter to Moses Dawson

John Peter Van Ness

Letter from Van Ness (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati) regarding personal financial business; attacks on the bank of the metropolis (Van Ness's bank) by the Bank of the United States; regards to Mr. Groesbeck; recent illness.

3-6-1834
Andrew Jackson letter to Moses Dawson

Andrew Jackson

Letter from Jackson (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding the result of referring Dawson's letter of December 24 to General Van Ness; Dawson's letter of introduction to Van Ness is enclosed.

12-27-1833
Richard Mentor Johnson letter to Moses Dawson

Richard Mentor Johnson

Johnson writes to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) that he does not desire election to Congress and discusses his plans for the national convention.

10-4-1833
William Berkeley Lewis letter to Moses Dawson

William Berkeley Lewis

Letter from Lewis (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding assurances of Dawson's good character in Jackson's circles, explanation of article referred to in previous letter, and the President visiting Rip Raps? for his health.

7-9-1833
William Berkeley Lewis letter to Moses Dawson

William Berkeley Lewis

Letter from Lewis (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding payment of claim on Post Office, an explanation of Lewis's hurried departure from Cincinnati, and a discussion on the claim of the opposition that Dawson will support Judge McLean for President.

6-22-1833
William Berkeley Lewis letter to Moses Dawson

William Berkeley Lewis

Letter from Lewis (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding the removal of the Receiver and Registrar from the Land Office of Indianapolis, Gardner's letter to Hammond, and his optimism in the administration.

11-9-1833
William Piatt letter to Moses Dawson

William Piatt

Letter from William Piatt (?) (Philadelphia) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) about his health; replaced Major Tallmadge in New York; transferred to Philadelphia and intends to stay.

8-24-1833
William Berkeley Lewis letter to Moses Dawson

William Berkeley Lewis

Letter from Lewis (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding Col. Piatt to go to New Orleans on order of the War Department; opinions on Van Buren's rejection by the Senate; Jackson's health; and speech of Isaac Hill on Clay's Tariff Resolution.

2-15-1832
William Berkeley Lewis letter to Moses Dawson

William Berkeley Lewis

Letter from Lewis (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding journey from Nashville to Washington, payment of personal and governmental account with Dawson, victories in recent elections, and the suggestion to embrace the better elements of Clay's supporters.

11-14-1832
William Berkeley Lewis letter to Moses Dawson

William Berkeley Lewis

Letter from Lewis (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) commenting that Thomas Grafton Addison is an imposter and discussing the position of the Bank bill in Congress.

6-10-1832
William Berkeley Lewis letter to Moses Dawson, 1831

William Berkeley Lewis

Letter from Lewis (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding McLane's (McLean?) views on Bank of United States; President's feelings have not changed; McLane against opening the question in Congress; the majority of Congress is for the Bank; McLane personally is a very able man, and a friend of Jackson's.

12-29-1831
Moses Dawson letter to William Berkeley Lewis

Moses Dawson

Letter from Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) to Lewis regarding bills to War Department, Post Office Department, and the Post-Master General; remarks on Langdon's opposition paper.

8-18-1831
Notice for Unpaid Note of Thomas Thomson

Moses Dawson

Notice, Unpaid Note of Thomas Thomson for $425

7-13-1831
William Henry Harrison letter to Moses Dawson

William Henry Harrison

Letter from Harrison (North Bend, Ohio) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding the arrival of his son John Scott Harrison from the east; Scott denies giving Smith permission to stay on Dawson's recently purchased farm until spring.

9-15-1831
Deed

Thomas Henderson

Deed (blank) to obligate Dawson to guarantee any assessments on property conveyed in deed.

7-30-1831
William Berkeley Lewis letter to Moses Dawson

William Berkeley Lewis

Letter from Lewis (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding the President's good health, the national debt, and Judge Hayward's character.

11-9-1831
William Berkeley Lewis letter to Moses Dawson

William Berkeley Lewis

Letter from Lewis (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding the Secretary of War appointment and attacks on Green and Lewis.

5-31-1831