John Dawson to James Madison (June 28, 1789)

You have it in contemplation, I hear, to adjourn in August. Surely you will not do this without recommending those alterations which have been so ardently desird by many of the states, most of which will not materially effect the system, but will render it more secure, and more agreable in the eyes of those who were oppos'd to its establishment. I rejoice to find that you come forward at an early day with a proposition for amendments, altho I coud have wish'd they had been more extensive. Experience, as well as sound policy point out, in my humble opinion, the propriety of the amendment propos'd by this state for rendering more secure our Western territory, & for guarding against the danger of the surrender of the Mississippi—that in the commercial regulations there will be efforts in the part of the Continent to throw the weight of the duties on the other, is apprehended by many and therefore the amendment propos'd to this part of the system is thought to be of importance