Skip to main content Skip to search results Skip to Facets & Filters

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:

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.

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.

Richard Rush letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 826480
Webster Mss 826480
Date(s): 1826-08-30
Abstract

In English.

Richard Stockton letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 813423
Webster Mss 813423
Date(s): 1813-07-23
Scope and Contents

Two-page letter from Richad Stockton in Princeton to Daniel Webster in Portsmouth, New Hampshire telling him that he does not think the British will venture a landing. Comments unfavorably on Monroe's speech. Speaks of French and British involvement in the War.

Richard V. Gaines letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 850217.1
Webster Mss 850217.1
Date(s): 1850-03-17
Abstract

In English.

Robert Barnwell Rhett letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 841115.3
Webster Mss 841115.3
Date(s): 1841-01-15
Scope and Contents

Three-page letter from Robert Barnwell Rhett to Daniel Webster, telling him that he is concerned that remarks in Webster's speech at Saratoga are being attributed to him.

Robert Charles Winthrop certification

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 831510
Webster Mss 831510
Date(s): 1831-09-10
Abstract

In English.

Robert Charles Winthrop letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 837165
Webster Mss 837165
Date(s): 1837-02-15
Scope and Contents

Letter from Robert Charles Winthrop in Boston to Daniel Webster, telling him that the enclosed resolutions were adopted with strong deep feelings. Signed by a committee of Whig members of the Massachusetts Legislature which include Charles Hudson Winthrop, Samuel B. Walcott and Osmyn Baker. Enclosure lacking.

Robert Cumming Schenck letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 851176.2
Webster Mss 851176.2
Date(s): 1851-02-26
Scope and Contents

Three-page letter from Robert Cumming Schenck to Daniel Webster, telling him that he is receiving applications for secretaryship of Brazilian Mission. The verbal assault on Webster was skillfully rebuked. Includes letter dated January 31, 1863 to the President and portrait and biographical sketch of Robert Cumming Schenck.

Robert Field Stockton letters

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 828414
Webster Mss 828414
Date(s): 1828-07-14
Scope and Contents

Two letters from Robert Field Stockton in Princeton to unidentified recipient, "My dear Sir" [i.e. Daniel Webster, Boston] telling him that he hopes Adams' cabinet has adopted liberal and patriotic principles. Mentions the political outlook for Clay, Calhoun and Jackson. Includes two portraits of Robert F. Stockton.

Robert G. Shaw letter

 Item 1
Identifier: Mss 846413
Webster Mss 846413
Date(s): 1846-07-13
Abstract

In English.

Back to top