Introduction
The Moses Dawson Correspondence contains digitized and transcribed 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, an alumnus of Xavier University whose spouse was a descendant of Moses Dawson.Credits
Participants in the project from Xavier University included former staff members Amy Ensor, 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.Digital Accessibility & Archival Disclaimer
Archival Status: This collection contains archival materials and historical records created or published on or before May 11, 2026.
Regulatory Compliance: In accordance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the content hosted within this repository meets the criteria for exemption as Archived Web Content and/or Preexisting Conventional Electronic Documents. These materials are maintained in their original format to preserve historical integrity and institutional record.
Requesting Assistance: Xavier University is committed to ensuring that our digital resources are as accessible as possible. If you encounter barriers to accessing any information in this collection due to a disability, please let us know so we can provide an alternative format. Please contact: webaccessibility@xavier.edu
Adapted for Xavier University with credit to the University of North Florida.
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Moses Dawson: Jacksonian Spokesman of the West
Thomas L. Koberna
Thesis discusses the role of Moses Dawson, newspaper editor, and his support of Jacksonian democracy.
1957
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Robert Armstrong letter to Moses Dawson
Robert Armstrong
Letter from Armstrong (Nashville, Tennessee) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) introducing Gideon Johnson Pillow, Tennessee delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Baltimore. Armstrong also writes about Van Buren's position on annexation of Texas.
5-12-1844
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Moses Dawson letter to General Robert Armstrong
Moses Dawson
Letter from Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) to General Robert Armstrong regarding incomplete elections results and campaign rumors. Dawson requests for Major Donelson to send receipt for News collector (?). The outer page is addressed to Martin Van Buren.
11-1-1844
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Andrew Jackson letter to Moses Dawson
Andrew Jackson
Letter from Jackson (Hermitage) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding Jackson's resignation to the thought of death. He discusses abolition and the presidential race.
1-23-1844
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Andrew Jackson letter to Moses Dawson
Andrew Jackson
Letter from Jackson (Hermitage) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding the recent election victory.
11-16-1844
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Andrew Jackson letter to Moses Dawson
Andrew Jackson
Letter from Jackson (Hermitage) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding Democratic victory in upcoming election and the fate of Ohio's elections.
9-27-1844
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Martin Van Buren letter to M.D. Vanderburgh
Martin Van Buren
Van Buren (Lindenwald, Kinderhook, New York) writes to M.D. Vanderburgh (?) about the death of Moses Dawson, commenting that he kept his "sterling qualities to the end" and that Van Buren has sent condolences to relatives. Copy.
12-14-1844
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Martin Van Buren letter to Moses Dawson
Martin Van Buren
Letter from Van Buren (Lindenwald, Kinderhook, New York) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding hope for repetition of Hamilton's opinions; Election will be a landslide if it is honest.
10-29-1844
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William Allen letter to Moses Dawson
William Allen
Letter from Allen (Chillicothe, Ohio) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) noting that Allen will make the desired request of Francis Preston Blair and send a long letter soon on Presidential affairs.
5-1-1843
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Thomas Hart Benton letter to Moses Dawson
Thomas Hart Benton
Letter from Benton (Boonville, Missouri) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding Martin Van Buren and his character, and administration opposition.
8-16-1843
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Andrew Jackson letter to Moses Dawson
Andrew Jackson
Letter from Jackson (Hermitage) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding Jackson's bad health, John C. Calhoun, and Van Buren's nomination. Jackson writes that Tennessee will support Van Buren.
8-12-1843
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Andrew Jackson letter to Moses Dawson
Andrew Jackson
Letter from Jackson (Hermitage) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding Ohio politics, tariffs, and the national bank.
10-19-1843
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Samuel H. Laughlin letter to Moses Dawson
Samuel H. Laughlin
Letter from Laughlin (Nashville, Tennessee) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding the presidential race and the national convention.
12-28-1843
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Martin Van Buren letter to Moses Dawson
Martin Van Buren
Letter from Van Buren (Lindenwald, Kinderhook, New York) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding Van Buren's opinion on Hamilton. Discusses his friends and the trials of public life.
9-5-1843
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Levi Woodbury letter to Moses Dawson
Levi Woodbury
Letter from Woodbury (Washington) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding kindnesses of friends, political activity, and remarking that the convention should meet late and be well organized.
1-27-1843
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William Allen letter to Moses Dawson
William Allen
Letter from Allen (Chillicothe, Ohio) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding Mr. Disney, the feelings of Democrats of Hamilton County toward Allen's policies, and documents requested by Dawson.
10-24-1842
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William Allen letter to Moses Dawson
William Allen
Letter from Allen (Chillicothe, Ohio) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) about Dawson's interest in Allen's reelection and presidential matters. Allen writes that Van Buren is in high spirits and Allen will start east day after tomorrow.
11-17-1842
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Thomas Hart Benton letter to Moses Dawson
Thomas Hart Benton
Letter from Benton to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding the cause of opposition to Martin Van Buren, the reprint of Van Buren's message of March 1841, and the movement for British paper money system.
12-4-1842
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Thomas Hart Benton letter to Moses Dawson
Thomas Hart Benton
Letter from Benton (St. Louis, Missouri) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding efforts on behalf of Martin Van Buren. Benton mentions that his relatives coming from the Rocky Mountains will pass through Cincinnati after an important expedition.
10-19-1842
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Andrew Jackson letter to Moses Dawson
Andrew Jackson
Letter from Jackson (Hermitage) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) about a misunderstanding of Jackson's refusal to attend celebration of Democratic victory in Pittsburgh.
2-14-1842
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Andrew Jackson letter to Moses Dawson
Andrew Jackson
Letter from Jackson (Hermitage) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding Carter Beverly's move on behalf of Henry Clay and his opinions on John Quincy Adams and Clay. Jackson writes that Clay's popularity with the people is sinking.
3-22-1842
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Andrew Jackson letter to Moses Dawson
Andrew Jackson
Letter from Jackson (Hermitage) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) about Democratic victories in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. He comments that Henry Clay should retire.
10-26-1842
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Andrew Jackson letter to Moses Dawson
Andrew Jackson
Letter from Jackson (Hermitage) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding the powers of Congress with regards to bank legislation. Jackson voices his opposition to credit bills.
11-24-1842
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Andrew Jackson letter to Moses Dawson
Andrew Jackson
Letter from Jackson (Hermitage) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) regarding the establishment of Jackson Guards in Cincinnati. Jackson also comments on Van Buren's growing popularity.
6-21-1842
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John McCalla letter to Moses Dawson
John Moore McCalla
Letter from McCalla (Lexington, Kentucky) to Dawson (Cincinnati, Ohio) about the arrangements and itinerary for Martin Van Buren's trip from Louisville to Cincinnati to Frankfort and back to Louisville.
5-21-1842
