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 2046 Collections and/or Records:
Daniel Webster deed
In English.
Daniel Webster deed
In English.
Daniel Webster deed
In English.
Daniel Webster deed
In English.
Daniel Webster diary
In English.
Daniel Webster diary
In English.
Daniel Webster docket
In English.
Daniel Webster draft
In English.
Daniel Webster draft of circular
In English.
Daniel Webster drafts
In English.
Daniel Webster essay
In English.
Daniel Webster franked envelope
In English.
Daniel Webster instruction of senators
In English.
Daniel Webster invitation
In English.
Daniel Webster letter
Letter from Daniel Webster to Stephen Moody of Gilmanton, New Hampshire, concerning a dispute with Colonel [Samuel Greely] and [Oliver] Crosby.
Daniel Webster Letter
Referring to his Character of Washington speech at a public dinner on 22 Feb. 1832, Webster asks to have the speech be printed.
Daniel Webster Letter
Tells him the Baldwins (apples?) decayed for want of air.
Daniel Webster Letter
Webster writes from Washington to an unidentified recipient [probably Henry W. Kinsman] and lists his outstanding debts and admits he has no money to settle them. He wishes that they be put off till he is back home.
Daniel Webster letter
Letter to Thomas Ward at Baring Brothers concerning US debt payment to Mexico. Webster understands that Congress has not appropriated the funds to pay the final installment under the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, but relays that President Fillmore wants to avoid embarrassment to the Government should it not be paid.
Daniel Webster letter
Letter to diplomatic courier Augustus N. Leroy instructing him to proceed to Mexico City and deliver dispatches to the American Chargé d'affairs and to Mexican President Arista.