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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:

Peter Thacher letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 807314
Webster Mss 807314
Date(s): 1807-05-14
Abstract

In English.

Peter Thacher letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 807428.2
Webster Mss 807428.2
Date(s): 1807-07-28
Abstract

In English.

Peter Thacher letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 806501
Webster Mss 806501
Date(s): 1806-09-01
Abstract

In English.

Peter Thacher letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 805318
Webster Mss 805318
Date(s): 1805-05-18
Abstract

In English.

Peter Thacher letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 805469
Webster Mss 805469
Date(s): 1805-08-19
Abstract

In English.

Petition to the United States Treasury

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 847380.1
Webster Mss 847380.1
Date(s): 1847-06-30
Abstract

In English.

Phineas Bailey letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 806170.1
Webster Mss 806170.1
Date(s): 1806-02-20
Abstract

In English.

Phineas White letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 843159.1
Webster Mss 843159.1
Date(s): 1843-02-09
Scope and Contents

Two-page letter from Phineas White in Putney, Vermont to Daniel Webster in Washington, telling him that he does not approve of the veto power used by General Jackson of President Tyler. Hopes to see Webster become president and suggests a friend for consulship.

Pierre A. Borsarelli letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 849516
Webster Mss 849516
Date(s): 1849-09-16
Scope and Contents

Letter from Pierre A. Borsarelli in Corino to Daniel Webster, announcing Webster's election to membership in the Reale Academia D'Agricoltura di Torino and enclosing the certificate of membership. Enclosure lacking.

Plaintiff bill of cost

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 808270
Mss 808270
Date(s): 1808-04-20
Abstract

In English.

Promissory note

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 838368
Webster Mss 838368
Date(s): 1838-06-18
Abstract

In English.

R. Amory letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 805364.1
Webster Mss 805364.1
Date(s): 1805-06-14
Abstract

In English.

R. Heriot letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 820628.1
Webster Mss 820628.1
Date(s): 1820-11-28
Abstract

In English.

Record of a Virginia lawyer

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 842551.1
Webster Mss 842551.1
Date(s): 1841-11-19 to 1842-10-01
Abstract

In English.

Remembrances of Daniel Webster

 Item 1
Identifier: 876576
Webster 876576
Date(s): 1876-10-26
Scope and Contents Assembled collection of remembraces of and stories about Daniel Webster. Includes Daniel Fletcher Webster's earliest recollections of his father, as well as a "Memo of Statement of Mr. Dingley" (recounting an arrangement Webster had to board with a sea captain). Authors are otherwise unknown. One item is a description of Webster's final days. Other items recount Webster's interactions with various people, including an encounter with the accused murderer John Mummahis character, social...

Report of Daniel Webster's speech

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 818210.2
Webster Mss 818210.2
Date(s): 1818-03-10
Abstract

In English.

Reverdy Johnson letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 843206
Webster Mss 843206
Date(s): 1843-03-06
Abstract

In English.

Richard Burleigh Kimball letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 851663
Webster Mss 851663
Date(s): 1851-12-13
Abstract

In English.

Richard Fletcher letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 822377
Mss 822377
Date(s): 1822-06-27
Abstract

In English.

Richard Milford Blatchford brief

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 855610
Mss 855610
Date(s): 1855-11-10
Scope and Contents

Richard Milford Blatchford brief of the account of George S. Gideon with the estate of Daniel Webster, Washington.

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