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Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

 

Dates

  • Existence: 1782 - 1852

Biography

Daniel Webster was born on January 18, 1872 in Salisbury, New Hampshire. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1801, after which he began the study of law under Thomas W. Thompson and Christopher Gore. In 1805, he opened a law practice in Boscawen, New Hampshire where he stayed until 1807. As a result of his opposition to the War of 1812, Webster was elected to the New Hampshire House of Representatives in 1813, where he served until 1817. In 1816, he moved to Boston. He was later elected to the United States House of Representatives (1823-1827) and the U.S. Senate (1827-1841 and 1845-1850). As a senator, he was a spokesman for American nationalism whose powerful oratory made him a key Whig leader. He spoke for conservatives and led the opposition to Democrat Andrew Jackson and his Democratic Party, firmly challenging Jackson's policies in the Bank War. From 1841 to 1843 and 1850 to 1852, Webster served as the United States Secretary of State. As a diplomat, he is best known for negotiating the Webster–Ashburton Treaty of 1842 with Great Britain, which established the Canada–United States border east of the Rocky Mountains. Webster was highly regarded as a lawyer, having shaped several US Supreme Court cases that established important constitutional precedents and bolstered the authority of the federal government. One of the cases he argued was the Dartmouth College case in 1819. Webster died October 24, 1852.

Found in 2103 Collections and/or Records:

William Pennington letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 852378
Webster Mss 852378
Date(s): 1852-06-28
Scope and Contents

Two-page letter from William Pennington in Newark, New Jersey to Daniel Webster, telling him that he supports Webster at the Whig convention but other New Jersey politicians support Scott.

William Pitt Fessenden letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 849327
Webster Mss 849327
Date(s): 1849-05-27
Abstract

In English.

William Pitt Fessenden letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 840456
Webster Mss 840456
Date(s): 1840-08-06
Scope and Contents

Three-page letter from William Pitt Fessenden in Portland, Maine to Daniel Webster. Fessenden invites Webster to a general Whig convention in Maine for the nomination of a State Senator and a Representative to Congress. The Whigs are anxious to have the ascendancy in one branch of their next Legislature and to defeat Albert Smith. Includes original letter and a typescript copy.

William Plumer letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 850275
Webster Mss 850275
Date(s): 1850-04-25
Abstract

In English.

William Plumer letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 826502
Webster Mss 826502
Date(s): 1826-09-02
Abstract

In English.

William Prescott letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 831217.1
Webster Mss 831217.1
Date(s): 1831-03-17
Abstract

In English.

William Reed letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 831151
Webster Mss 831151
Date(s): 1831-02-01
Abstract

In English.

William S. Murphy letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 842368.1
Webster Mss 842368.1
Date(s): 1842-06-18
Abstract

In English.

William Sullivan letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 833105
Webster Mss 833105
Date(s): 1833-01-05
Abstract

In English.

William T. Otto letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 837402
Webster Mss 837402
Date(s): 1837-07-02
Abstract

In English.

William T. Shafer letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 850216
Webster Mss 850216
Date(s): 1850-03-16
Abstract

In English.

William Tudor letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 825113
Webster Mss 825113
Date(s): 1825-01-13
Abstract

In English.

William W. Irwin letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 830517
Webster Mss 830517
Date(s): 1830-09-17
Abstract

In English.

William Webster letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 807625
Webster Mss 807625
Date(s): 1807-11-25
Abstract

In English.

William Wirt letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 829408
Webster Mss 829408
Date(s): 1829-07-08
Abstract

In English.

William Wirt letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 830304
Webster Mss 830304
Date(s): 1830-05-04
Abstract

In English.

William Wirt letter to Daniel Webster

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 828219.1
Webster Mss 828219.1
Date(s): 1828-03-19
Content Description

United States Attorney General William Wirt writes to Daniel Webster concerning an unidentified court case that Gov. Ninian Edwards of Illinois lost. Wirt wants Webster's personal opinion of the case to be relayed to Edwards.

William Wolcott Ellsworth letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 842178
Webster Mss 842178
Date(s): 1842-02-28
Scope and Contents

Three-page letter from William Wolcott Ellworth in Hartford, Connecticut to Daniel Webster, telling him that he believes the country is indebted to Daniel Webster for remaining at his post. He hopes that nothing will occur to make it necessaary for Daniel Webster to abandon it. Defines the position of the Whigs in Court concerning the U.S. Bank. Senator Huntington, in his opposition to the Exchequer greatly mistook the sentiments of his constituents.

William Woodbridge letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 848627.2
Webster Mss 848627.2
Date(s): 1848-11-27
Abstract

In English.

Winfield Scott letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 840607
Webster Mss 840607
Date(s): 1840-11-07
Scope and Contents

Letter from Winfield Scott to Daniel Webster, regarding plan to elect John A. King to poltical office. (Photocopy)

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