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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 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:

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 852307
Webster Mss 852307
Date(s): 1852-05-07
Scope and Contents

Four-page letter from Daniel Webster in Marshfield to Benjamin Seaver, introducing Christopher Wieting and requests a political appointment for him.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 852363
Webster Mss 852363
Date(s): 1852-06-13
Scope and Contents

Letter from Daniel Webster in Washington to John Taylor, telling him that he expects to leave soon and that the boat should be thoroughly repaired.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 852379
Webster Mss 852379
Date(s): 1852-06-29
Scope and Contents

Two-page letter from Daniel Webster in Washington, DC to Charles L. Fleischman in Washington with compliments on Fleischmann's work on "the grape vine and its culture." Includes portrait of Webster, engraved by T. Johnson.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 852401
Webster Mss 852401
Date(s): 1852-07-01
Scope and Contents

Letter from Daniel Webster at the Department of State in Washington,DC to Alpheus Felch, telling him that no copy of the "American Harp" has been received by the State Department. (Photocopy)

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 852516.1
Webster Mss 852516.1
Date(s): 1852-09-16
Scope and Contents

Two-page letter from Daniel Webster in Marshfield, Massachusetts to Joseph Reed Ingersoll:"Your letter of the 9th is received. Another gentleman is tought of as an succession to Mr. Davis if she should resign.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 852517
Webster Mss 852517
Date(s): 1852-09-17
Scope and Contents

Letter from Daniel Webster to Richard M. Blatchford, telling him that he is strong and has been out walking.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 852551.1
Webster Mss 852551.1
Date(s): 1852-10-01
Scope and Contents

Letter from Daniel Webster in Marshfield to J.J. May, cashier, enclosing a draft for $500 to be credited to his account.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 852464.1
Webster Mss 852464.1
Date(s): 1852-08-14
Scope and Contents

Letter from Daniel Webster in Washington to Hirma Ketchum in New York, telling him that he is in trouble over the Lobos subject and requests information from his friends.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 852464.2
Webster Mss 852464.2
Date(s): 1852-08-14
Scope and Contents

Letter from Daniel Webster in Washington to Hiram Ketchum in New York, requesting any proof he might have that US citizens have occupied the Lobos Islands for years.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 852473
Webster Mss 852473
Date(s): 1852-08-23
Scope and Contents

Two-page letter from Daniel Webster in Washington, DC to Richard Milford Blatchford, telling him the his health is fine but the weather is hot. He plans to stay in Washington until Congress adjourns or until his catarrh acts up.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 852476
Webster Mss 852476
Date(s): 1852-08-26
Scope and Contents

Four-page letter from Daniel Webster in Washington, DC to Burdell Coutts in London with an introduction of Mr. Joseph Reed Ingersoll, minister to the court.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 852507
Webster Mss 852507
Date(s): 1852-09-07
Scope and Contents

Letter from Daniel Webster in Washington to George S. Gideon and Company with a promise to pay for value received.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 845118
Webster Mss 845118
Date(s): 1845-01-18
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 845168
Webster Mss 845168
Date(s): 1845-02-18
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 845217
Webster Mss 845217
Date(s): 1845-03-17
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 845260
Webster Mss 845260
Date(s): 1845-04-10
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 845512
Webster Mss 845512
Date(s): 1845-09-12
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 845518
Webster Mss 845518
Date(s): 1845-09-18
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 845529
Webster Mss 845529
Date(s): 1845-09-29
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 845561
Webster Mss 845561
Date(s): 1845-10-11
Abstract

In English.

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