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 opens a law practice in Boscawen, New Hampshire where he stayed there until 1807. As a result of his opposition to the War of 1812, Webster is elected to the New Hampshire House of Representative in 1813 where he served until 1817. In 1816, he moves to Boston and is elected to the Massachusetts House of Representative (1823-1827) and the Senate (1827-1841 and 1845-1850). As a senator, he was a spokesman for American nationalism with powerful oratory that 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. As a lawyer, Webster was highly regarded in the courtroom, shaping several key 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. The case arose when the president of Dartmouth College was deposed by its trustees, leading to the New Hampshire legislature attempting to force the college to become a public institution and thereby place the ability to appoint trustees in the hands of the governor of New Hampshire. The Supreme Court upheld the sanctity of the original charter of the college, which pre-dated the creation of the State. The landmark case is considered one of the most important in United States history as it affirmed that the Constitution's contract clause protected private corporations from government interference. Webster died October 24, 1852.

Found in 2093 Collections and/or Records:

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 842222

Webster Mss 842222

Date(s): 1842-03-22

Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 842223

Webster Mss 842223

Date(s): 1842-03-23

Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 811227

Mss 811227

Date(s): 1811-03-27

Scope and Contents

Four-page letter from Daniel Webster in Portsmouth, New Hampshire to Ezekiel Webster on Boscawen, New Hampshire informing him that he wished to trade farms with Nathaniel Banfield of Portsmouth and wants Ezekiel to show Banfield the farms upon which the brothers have claims.

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 835210

Webster Mss 835210

Date(s): 1835-03-10

Scope and Contents

Letter from Daniel Webster in Washington to Charles H. Russell, telling him that the election of a Senator in Rhode Island is of great importance. Friends in Massachusetts will try to accommodate the difficulty with the Anti-Masons.

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 835523

Webster Mss 835523

Date(s): 1835-09-23

Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 835525

Webster Mss 835525

Date(s): 1835-09-25

Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 835553

Webster Mss 835553

Date(s): 1835-10-03

Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 835555.1

Webster Mss 835555.1

Date(s): 1835-10-05

Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 835555.2

Webster Mss 835555.2

Date(s): 1835-10-05

Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 835560.1

Webster Mss 835560.1

Date(s): 1835-10-10

Content Description

Letter from Daniel Webster to Abbott Lawrence asking for Lawrence's help in selling house.

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 835620.1

Webster Mss 835620.1

Date(s): 1835-11-20

Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 835640

Webster Mss 835640

Date(s): 1835-11

Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 835674

Webster Mss 835674

Date(s): 1835-12-24

Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 835675.2

Webster Mss 835675.2

Date(s): 1835-12-25

Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 836125

Webster Mss 836125

Date(s): 1836-01-25

Scope and Contents

Letter from Daniel Webster in Washington, D.C. to Solomon Lincoln, requesting a list of pensions in Plymouth County to whom copies of recent speech might be sent. J.Q. Adams had attacked senator D.W. fiercely. List should contain "reasonable Jackson men."

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 836130

Webster Mss 836130

Date(s): 1836-01-30

Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 836130.1

Webster Mss 836130.1

Date(s): 1836-01-30

Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letter

Item 1

Identifier: Mss 836140

Webster Mss 836140

Date(s): 1836-01

Abstract

In English.