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 2089 Collections and/or Records:
US President John Tyler letter
In English.
US President John Tyler letter
In English.
Utica [N.Y.] to Mr. Watson, Letter
Requests a copy of "The Star" be sent to him in Washington.
Waddy Thompson letter
In English.
Walter Channing letter
In English.
Walter Lowrie letter
In English.
Washington Allston letter
In English.
Washington, [DC] to Capt. Stevens, [Franklin, NH]
Instructs Stevens on repairs to the house in Franklin, and placement of the pigpen and privy.
Washington [DC], to [Governor John] J. Davis [Mass.], Letter
Concerning his speculation in lands in the Michigan Territory. Documents his interest in purchasing a farm as an investment.
Washington, D.C. to Henry W. Kinsman, Boston, MA, Letter
Webster writes to Henry Willia Kinsman, a law partner, about travel dates and financial concerns.
Washington D.C. to Hon. Joseph Story, Cambridge, Ma. , Letter
Webster writes from Washington D.C. to Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story a personal letter concerning hunting, his family and the imported salt tarriff bill then being considered in the House of Representatives.
Washington, D.C. to Hugh L. White, Letter
Webster writes of his dismay that White has resigned his Senate seat and of his feelings regarding the Tennessee legislature on the matter.
Washington [DC], to Jacob B. Moore, Concord, NH., Letter
Gives his impression of the political situation in New Hampshire and compares it to Mass.
Washington [D.C.], to [James Hervey] Bingham., Letter
Webster offers Bingham, his close friend and Dartmouth College classmate, employment at $1,200 a year.
[Washington D.C.] to [Jeremiah Mason], Letter
Webster writes to former NH Senator Jeremiah Mason of an impending tariff bill before the Senate and its prospects. He also writes of a published speech he was ill prepared to give and concerns over legislation relating to paying Spain to settle outstanding claims related to the the Adams-Onis Treaty.
Washington [D.C.] to J.L. Edwards [Washington, D.C.], Letter
Webster asks the pensions office for information on a Revolutionary War soldier, Robert Dorrance.
Washington, [D.C.], to John Moorland, Havana [Cuba]., Letter
Discusses appointment of Allen F. Owen as U.S. consul at Havana. Requests transfer of the consulate archives.
Washington, D.C., to John Taylor, Franklin, N.H., Letter
Detailed inventory and directions for the management of Webster's farm.
Washington D.C. to [Leverett] Saltonstall, Letter
Webster writes from Washington D.C. to Leverett Saltonstall (Massachusetts State Senator at the time) concerning the dismissal of a case they are both involved in.
[Washington D.C.] to Mr. Osma, Peru, Letter
One letter to Mr. Osma, Charge d'affairs of Peru, concerning the Peruvian's perception of an error by customs officers in California regarding sugar imports.