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
Webster writes to decline an invitation from a committee wishing to honor the US Minister to France, James Brown, with a dinner.
Daniel Webster letter
Daniel Webster writes to cousin Nathaniel Sawyer of Cincinnati, Ohio (DC class of 1805) mentioning the upcoming 1848 Whig National Convention at Philadelphia. Webster finished fourth in the balloting for the nomination.
Daniel Webster Letter
Tells him the Baldwins (apples?) decayed for want of air.
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
Letter from Daniel Webster of Portsmouth, New Hampshire to "Dear Sir," sending an number of exams. The sheriff should pay the money to the bank. Included letter of December 23, 1811 to N. Emery.
Daniel Webster letter
Two-page letter from Daniel Webster to Ezekiel Webster in Boscawen, regarding personal matters.
Daniel Webster letter
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
Letter from Daniel Webster of Portsmouth, New Hampshire to Ezekiel Webster, relating to cases in which the brothers are interested.
Daniel Webster letter
Letter from Daniel Webster in Portsmouth, New Hampshire to Ezekiel Webster in Boscawen, asking Ezekiel to sue a note agains E. Kelly.
Daniel Webster letter
Letter from Daniel Webster in Portsmouth, New Hampshire to Ezekiel Webster in Boscawen, New Hampshire, relating to cases in which the brothers are interested.
Daniel Webster letter
Two-page letter from Daniel Webster in Portsmouth, New Hampshire to Ezekiel Webster in Boscawen, New Hampshire, relating to cases in which the brothers are intersted.
Daniel Webster letter
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
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
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
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
In English.
Daniel Webster letter
In English.
Daniel Webster letter
In English.