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:
Boston [Mass], to George Ticknor Curtis, Letter
Webster writes to his eventual biographer George Ticknor Curtis thanking him for an earlier letter and expresses his wish to meet with him in Albany.
Boston, [Mass.], to Harmanus Bleeker, Albany, N.Y. , Letter
Introducing Henry Willis Kinsman to Harmanus Bleeker.
[Boston] to Richard M. Blatchford [New York], Letter
Notes that he arrived safe and early in Boston.
Boston to Samuel Batchelder, Letter
Webster introduces Caleb Merrill to Batchelder in the hopes that he will give his approval to a Mill at the head of the Merrimack River.
Caleb Cushing letter
In English.
Caleb Cushing letter
In English.
Caleb Cushing letter
Four-page letter from Caleb Cushing in Washington to Richard M. Blatchford and Fletcher Webster with the statement that Cushing loaned Daniel Webster money in return for receiving the post as Commissioner to China is completely false. Includes envelope addressed to Hiram Ketchum, New York with handwritten note about the Cushing case.
Caleb Hingham letter
In English.
Calvin Cotton letter
Letter from Calvin Cotton in New York to Daniel Webster, telling him that he thinks that Charles S. I. Goodrich has diversified qualification for the post of American Consul at Genoa. (Photocopy)
Cassius Marcellus Clay letter
In English.
Charles Bricket Haddock letter
In English.
Charles Brickett Haddock letter
In English.
Charles Brickett Haddock letter
In English.
Charles Daniel Drake letter
Letter from Charles Daniel Drake in Cincinnati, Ohio to Daniel Webster, asking Webster to recommend the appointment of Alexander McGuffey as Commissioner of deeds for the State of Massachusetts. Webster's note to Governor Briggs written on the same paper.
Charles Edward Lester letter
In English.
Charles Hayward, notary, letter
In English.
Charles Humphrey Atherton letter
In English.
Charles J. Lanman letter
Two-page letter from Charles J. Lanman in New Haven to Daniel Webster telling him that at an informal meeting the delegates to the state convention were favorable to Webster's nomination.
Charles Jackson letter
In English.
Charles Johnson McCurdy letter
Four-page letter from Charles Johnson McCurdy in Vienna to Daniel Webster, telling him that the prince is satisfied with Fillmore's course. Discusses the serious matter of the jewels and Governor Kossuth. Includes a letter from Henry A. Holmes, dated July 4, 1851 to McCurdy as well as a letter from McCurdy to Henry A. Holmes dated August 9, 1851, and two portraits of McCurdy.