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
In English.
Daniel Webster letter
Webster writes to decline an invitation from a committee wishing to honor the US Minister to France, James Brown, with a dinner.
Daniel Webster letter
Daniel Webster writes to cousin Nathaniel Sawyer of Cincinnati, Ohio (DC class of 1805) mentioning the upcoming 1848 Whig National Convention at Philadelphia. Webster finished fourth in the balloting for the nomination.
Daniel Webster letter
Letter from Daniel Webster (1782-1852) to Samuel Ayer Bradley (1801-1874) regarding the Simeon case and the Secretary's relationship with Miss. W which is the talk around Concord and Hanover with some people believing that there is one and other not. Webster has not made up his mind on the matter. Typescript of letter is also included.
Daniel Webster letter
Letter from Daniel Webster (1782-1852) to Samuel Ayer Bradley (1801-1874) filling Bradley in on the status of the relationship between the Secretary and Miss W. which seems to no longer be an active one. Webster also informs Bradley that Nathaniel Green has left, leaving his creditors behind and that Webster had spend Thanksgiving in Concord where several marriages had taken place. Typescript of the letter is also included.
Daniel Webster letter
Letter from Daniel Webster (1782-1852) to Samuel Ayer Bradley (1801-1874) informing Bradley that he has been detained by business and that he had sent the horn. Typescript of letter is included.
Daniel Webster letter
Letter from Daniel Webster (1782-1852) to Samuel Ayer Bradley (1801-1874) asking Bradley to be electioneer in the northern part of New Hampshire including the towns of Conway, Bartlett, Adams, Eaton, Buxton and Chatham. Webster hopes that his party will carry the ticket. Typescript of the letter is also included.
Daniel Webster letter
Letter from Daniel Webster (1782-1852) to Samuel Ayer Bradley (1801-1874) telling Bradley that he cannot support Bradley's brother's candidacy because of a conflict of interest, as he has already given his support to another friend. However, if that friend will not run than Webster would certainly support Bradley's brother. Typescript of the letter is also included.
Daniel Webster letter
Letter from Daniel Webster (1782-1852) to Samuel Ayer Bradley (1801-1874) fulfilling a request by Bradley related to a case. Typescript of the letter is also included.
Daniel Webster letter
Letter from Daniel Webster (1782-1852) to Samuel Ayer Bradley (1801-1874) regarding legal business involving Justice Pickering, Michael, the scribe and Nehemiah, the tapster. Typescript of the letter is also included.
Daniel Webster letter
Letter from Daniel Webster (1782-1852) to Samuel Ayer Bradley (1801-1874) inquiring on behalf of his brother about a note against Benjamin Simson, given to his brother for a debt. He asks Bradley to bring the note with him when he comes to attend the election in June. Typescript of the letter is also included.
Daniel Webster letter
Letter from Daniel Webster (1782-1852) to Samuel Ayer Bradley (1801-1874) asking Bradley to obtain exact election accounts, including those for senator votes, from Conway, Eaton and Buxton, New Hampshire and to send them as soon as possible to Webster. He assures Bradley that he will be reimbursed for his expenses. Typescript of the letter is also included.
Daniel Webster letter
Letter from Daniel Webster (1782-1852) to Samuel Ayer Bradley (1801-1874) asking for help in the upcoming August election and filling Bradley in on the Federalist candidates on the ticket which include Nathaniel A. Haven, William Hale, Joseph Wilson, Jonathan C. Chamberlain and Daniel Blasdel. Webster states that the Democratic ticket is less firm. Typescript of the letter is also included.
Daniel Webster letter
Letter from Daniel Webster (1782-1852) to Samuel Ayer Bradley (1801-1874) introducing Captain Humphries. Typescript of the letter is also included.
Daniel Webster letter
Letter from Daniel Webster (1782-1852) to Samuel Ayer Bradley (1801-1874) introducing A. Lucas from North Carolina, who would like to print a correct journal of the congressional proceedings. Webster informs Bradley that the Bank has passed and that the Tariff is nearly finished. Discussing related political matters, Webster states that he believes that the manufacturing interest has become a strong distinct political party. Typescript of the letter is also included.
Daniel Webster letter
Letter from Daniel Webster (1782-1852) to Samuel Ayer Bradley (1801-1874) enclosing something (which is lacking) possibly a subscription paper for Dartmouth College. Webster asks Bradley to do what he can with it and to send anything he gets to President Brown. Typescript transcript of the letter is included.
Daniel Webster letter
Letter from Daniel Webster (1782-1852) to Samuel Ayer Bradley (1801-1874) with an invitation to dinner, endorsed with Williams C. Bradley's apology for opening the letter by mistake.
Daniel Webster letter
Letter from Daniel Webster (1782-1852) to Samuel Ayer Bradley (1801-1874) inviting Bradley to visit Webster.