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:

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 811509

Webster Mss 811509

Date(s): 1811-09-09

Scope and Contents

Letter from Daniel Webster in Portsmouth, New Hampshire to Ebenezer Thompson in Portsmouth, requesting payment be made to Tucker and Atkinson for work they did on Thompson's ship. Includes letter from G.T. Banks of Boston to Malcolm Stearns, Haddam, CT of April 24, 1956.

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 811514.3

Webster Mss 811514.3

Date(s): 1811-09-14

Scope and Contents

Three-page letter from Daniel Webster of Portsmouth, New Hampshire to Ezekiel Webster of Boscawen, New Hampshire, informing him that he needs money and inquires about cases the brothers are interested in.

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 812111

Webster Mss 812111

Date(s): 1812-01-11

Scope and Contents

Letter from Daniel Webster to Ezekiel Webster informing him that Col. Lewis will give Ezekiel, for the writer, a deed to the Cheney places.

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 812190

Webster Mss 812190

Date(s): 1812-02

Scope and Contents

Two-page letter from Daniel Webster to Ezekiel Webster in Boscawen, NH, informing him that he has sold the Kelly place to Mr. Pickering and asks Ezekiel to measure off and stake the gorund. If Ezekiel has not taken a conveyance of the Cheney place from L., it should be done.

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 812659

Webster Mss 812659

Date(s): 1812-12-09

Scope and Contents

Letter from Daniel Webster in [Boston?] to Samuel Ayer Bradley of Fryeburg, Maine. Webster encloses a writ on a man in Eaton and mentions that he has heard that Moscow has been burned to deprive the French Army of winter quarters. Enclosure missing.

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 804155

Webster Mss 804155

Date(s): 1804-02-05

Scope and Contents

Three-page letter from Daniel Webster to Moses David, ... Says he went to Concord to see Sophia... He has talked to his brother about some matters Davis is interested in... Considers the possibilities of forthcoming election. Refers to Mr. Hough and L.'s property; has been afraid he might injure the feelings of Mrs. ?

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 804216

Webster Mss 804216

Date(s): 1804-03-16

Scope and Contents

Personal letter. The wages of fame are high. Salisbury.

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 813324

Webster Mss 813324

Date(s): 1813-05-24

Scope and Contents

Letter from Daniel Webster of Washington to Ezekiel Webster in Boscawen informing him that he has taken his seat in the House.

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 813326

Webster Mss 813326

Date(s): 1813-05-26

Scope and Contents

Four-page letter from Daniel Webster in Washington to Edward Cutts Jr. with an account of Washington politics.

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 813326.1

Webster Mss 813326.1

Date(s): 1813-05-26

Scope and Contents

Two-page letter from Daniel Webster to Ezekiel Webster in Boscawen, informing him of the action taken by the House of representatives on the President's message.

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 813327

Webster Mss 813327

Date(s): 1813-05-27

Scope and Contents

Three-page letter from Daniel Webster to Ezekiel Webster in Concord, sending a list of the House Committees and names of the committee men

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 813329.1

Webster Mss 813329.1

Date(s): 1813-05-29

Scope and Contents

Letter from Daniel Webster in Washington to Ezekiel Webster in Concord, informing him that Congress adjourned yesterday after a half hour's session. Two elections will be contested. King and Gore took their seats yesterday. There will be a new senator from Delaware. No prospect of peace. Difficulty over the taxes. Writer and other dine with Judge Washington, today.

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 813331.1

Webster Mss 813331.1

Date(s): 1813-05-31

Scope and Contents

Letter from Daniel Webster in Washington to Ezekiel Webster in Concord, informing him that the House has been debating on Richard's petition to be admitted as a stenographer.

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 813352

Webster Mss 813352

Date(s): 1813-06

Scope and Contents

Letter from Daniel Webster to Ezekiel Webster in Concord, New Hampshire informing him that the "Speaker's friends" outvoted Webster's faction by 10. Eppes voted with the latter. The taxes give trouble. Wells is appointed in Delaware. "There will be something said in the Senate before Gallatin's appointment is confirmed."

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 813378

Webster Mss 813378

Date(s): 1813-06-28

Scope and Contents

Three-page letter from Daniel Webster in Washington, DC to Ezekiel Webster informing him that he and Rhea delivered the resolutions to the President who is ill in bed. After his noted on the taxes is recorded, writer plans to set out for home. The British have captured Hampton.

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 813540

Webster Mss 813540

Date(s): 1813-09

Scope and Contents

Letter from Daniel Webster to Noah Emery, asking Emery to furnish Ezekiel Webster copies of the case, Eastman vs. Taylor.

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 829215

Webster Mss 829215

Date(s): 1829-03-15

Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 829216

Webster Mss 829216

Date(s): 1829-03-16

Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 829222

Webster Mss 829222

Date(s): 1829-03-22

Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 829230

Webster Mss 829230

Date(s): 1829-03-30

Abstract

In English.