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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 809501
Webster Mss 809501
Date(s): 1809-09-01
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 838220
Webster Mss 838220
Date(s): 1838-03-20
Scope and Contents

Letter from Daniel Webster in Washington, D.C. to Charles Bricket Haddock, telling him that he had the deed redrawn. Also mentions Edward Webster as having gone to New York.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 840618
Webster Mss 840618
Date(s): 1840-11-18
Scope and Contents

Letter from Daniel Webster at a U.S. Hotel to Mr. Weeks in which the writer says he is meeting the Whigs of the 4th Ward on Friday meeting, but will find time then to "exchange congratulations with you and your friends on the great revolution we have witnessed." Refers to the election of President William Henry Harrison.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 841267
Webster Mss 841267
Date(s): 1841-04-17
Content Description

Letter from Daniel Webster to Capt. Andrew Armstrong in which he states that the requested passport has been sent to the collector of customs at Philadelphia and that Mr. Armstrong may collect it upon presentation of evidence of citizenship.

Daniel Webster letter

 Collection
Identifier: 851113.1
Webster 851113.1
Date(s): 1851-01-13
Content Description

Letter from Daniel Webster to John Kenyon, Esq., London, concerning some pamphlets Mrs. Webster wanted him to send.

Daniel Webster letter-cover

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 832169
Webster Mss 832169
Date(s): 1832-02-19
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letter cover

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 826227
Webster Mss 826227
Date(s): 1826-03-27
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster Letter Guilford, Medina County, Ohio, to Thomas Ewing, Lancaster, Ohio.

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 003182
Webster Mss 003182
Date(s): 1833-06-06
Abstract

Bound for Columbus with his brother and Mr. Edward LeRoy as companions.

Daniel Webster lettere

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 842153
Webster Mss 842153
Date(s): 1842-02-3 to 1842-02-04
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letterr

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 850540
Webster Mss 850540
Date(s): 1850-09
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letters

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 841940.3
Webster Mss 841940.3
Date(s): 1841
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letters

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 845363.1
Webster Mss 845363.1
Date(s): 1845-06-13 to 1845-06-14
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letters

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 851305.1
Webster Mss 851305.1
Date(s): 1851-05-05
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letters

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 847353
Webster Mss 847353
Date(s): 1847 to 1852
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letters

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 840601.2
Webster Mss 840601.2
Date(s): 1840-11-01 to 1840-11-02
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letters

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 845263
Webster Mss 845263
Date(s): 1845-04-13 to 1845-04-14
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letters

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 840211
Webster Mss 840211
Date(s): 1840-03-11 to 1840-03-18
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letters

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 826176
Webster Mss 826176
Date(s): 1826 to 1837
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letters

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 830271
Webster Mss 830271
Date(s): 1830-04-21 to 1847-03-16
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster letters

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 834512.1
Webster Mss 834512.1
Date(s): 1834-09-12 to 1838
Abstract

In English.

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