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WILLIAM DAYTON was an influential U.S. Senator from New Jersey when he responded to an unknown recipient regarding the status of legislation before the Senate. In this 2 pp, 4 ½ x 7, August 9, 1844, he writes:
“The Bill to which you refer has passed the Senate & is now in the House. The time was fixed by reason of the recommendations of Judges Grier & Dickenson...If you think...the bill will seriously interfere with the present term, drop me a line by return mail. I may yet stop it [in the] House...It is somewhat doubtful if it passes or rather if it be recalled this session...Wm L. Dayton”
It’s difficult to know exactly which bill Drayton was referencing. Debates in the U.S. Senate focused on the Oregon question, the tariff, annexation of Texas and the Mexican War. On these issues, Dayton took the position of a Freesoil Whig. He maintained the right of Congress to legislate slavery in the territories, opposed the Compromise of 1850, advocated for the admission of California as a free state, the abolition of the slave trade in the District of Columbia and was hostile to the fugitive slave law.
In addition to serving in the Senate from 1842-51, Dayton served as judge of the Superior Court, attorney general of New Jersey and minister of France. When Dayton became minister to France, the Civil War was well underway.
On June 17, 1861, William Seward, Abraham Lincoln’s Secretary of State, sent a lengthy letter to Dayton [photostat copy included] apprising him that France and Great Britain were working together on political disturbances in the United States, including recognizing insurgents. This was obviously a complicated political situation for the United States, but Seward was completely aware of it. Seward is obviously concerned that Great Britain and France could interfere with the Civil War by taking sides. This is a fascinating situation and completely illustrated in Seward’s letter.
Dayton’s handwriting is a little difficult to decipher. Some ink bleed through and a couple of brushes to his signature. The letter is tipped to another sheet. A steel engraving of Drayton is also included.
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