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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 818528
Webster Mss 818528
Date(s): 1818-09-28
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 818561
Webster Mss 818561
Date(s): 1818-10-11
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 818575
Webster Mss 818575
Date(s): 1818-10-25
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 818615
Mss 818615
Date(s): 1818-11-15
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 818666
Webster Mss 818666
Date(s): 1818-12-16
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 818677
Webster Mss 818677
Date(s): 1818-12-27
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 812659
Webster Mss 812659
Date(s): 1812-12-09
Scope and Contents

Letter from Daniel Webster in [Boston?] to Samuel Ayer Bradley of Fryeburg, Maine. Webster encloses a writ on a man in Eaton and mentions that he has heard that Moscow has been burned to deprive the French Army of winter quarters. Enclosure missing.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 804216
Webster Mss 804216
Date(s): 1804-03-16
Scope and Contents

Personal letter. The wages of fame are high. Salisbury.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 813324
Webster Mss 813324
Date(s): 1813-05-24
Scope and Contents

Letter from Daniel Webster of Washington to Ezekiel Webster in Boscawen informing him that he has taken his seat in the House.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 813326
Webster Mss 813326
Date(s): 1813-05-26
Scope and Contents

Four-page letter from Daniel Webster in Washington to Edward Cutts Jr. with an account of Washington politics.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 813326.1
Webster Mss 813326.1
Date(s): 1813-05-26
Scope and Contents

Two-page letter from Daniel Webster to Ezekiel Webster in Boscawen, informing him of the action taken by the House of representatives on the President's message.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 813327
Webster Mss 813327
Date(s): 1813-05-27
Scope and Contents

Three-page letter from Daniel Webster to Ezekiel Webster in Concord, sending a list of the House Committees and names of the committee men

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 813329.1
Webster Mss 813329.1
Date(s): 1813-05-29
Scope and Contents

Letter from Daniel Webster in Washington to Ezekiel Webster in Concord, informing him that Congress adjourned yesterday after a half hour's session. Two elections will be contested. King and Gore took their seats yesterday. There will be a new senator from Delaware. No prospect of peace. Difficulty over the taxes. Writer and other dine with Judge Washington, today.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 813331.1
Webster Mss 813331.1
Date(s): 1813-05-31
Scope and Contents

Letter from Daniel Webster in Washington to Ezekiel Webster in Concord, informing him that the House has been debating on Richard's petition to be admitted as a stenographer.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 813352
Webster Mss 813352
Date(s): 1813-06
Scope and Contents

Letter from Daniel Webster to Ezekiel Webster in Concord, New Hampshire informing him that the "Speaker's friends" outvoted Webster's faction by 10. Eppes voted with the latter. The taxes give trouble. Wells is appointed in Delaware. "There will be something said in the Senate before Gallatin's appointment is confirmed."

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 813354
Webster Mss 813354
Date(s): 1813-06-04
Scope and Contents

Letter from Daniel Webster in Washington to Ezekiel Webster in Concord, urging Ezekile to protest against making new states out of new territory, if the legislature passess any resolves on the war.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 813378
Webster Mss 813378
Date(s): 1813-06-28
Scope and Contents

Three-page letter from Daniel Webster in Washington, DC to Ezekiel Webster informing him that he and Rhea delivered the resolutions to the President who is ill in bed. After his noted on the taxes is recorded, writer plans to set out for home. The British have captured Hampton.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 814178
Webster Mss 814178
Date(s): 1814-02-28
Scope and Contents

Letter from Daniel Webster in Washington, DC to an unknown recipient in which he encloses a statement? which he may use but not to put into the paper. Mentions Granger's affairs (Gideon Granger?)

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 798670
Webster Mss 798670
Date(s): 1798-12-20
Scope and Contents

Letter from Daniel Webster of Dartmouth College to George Herbert regarding a poem.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 798672.1
Webster Mss 798672.1
Date(s): 1798-12-22
Scope and Contents

Letter from Daniel Webster of Hanover, N.H. to Joseph Warren Brackett regarding a mildly ironical note to an upperclassman.

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