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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 life insurance policy

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 844520
Webster Mss 844520
Date(s): 1844-09-20
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster log

 Collection
Identifier: Codex 850658
Codex Codex 850658
Date(s): 1850-12-08 to 1854-02-27
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster memoranda

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 839900.1
Webster Mss 839900.1
Date(s): 1839
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster memorandum

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 851275
Webster Mss 851275
Date(s): 1851-04-25
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster memorandum

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 852522
Webster Mss 852522
Date(s): 1852-09-22
Scope and Contents

Four-page memorandum ffrom Daniel Webster in Marshfield, Massachusetts for Mr. Gardiner having to do with claims on the Chilean government.

Daniel Webster memorandum

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 839210
Webster Mss 839210
Date(s): 1839-03-10
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster memorandum

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 839410
Webster Mss 839410
Date(s): 1839-07-10
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster memorandum

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 835208
Webster Mss 835208
Date(s): 1835-03-08
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster mortgage

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 851262.1
Webster Mss 851262.1
Date(s): 1851-04-12
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster note

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 809426
Webster Mss 809426
Date(s): 1809-07-26
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster note

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 842470.2
Webster Mss 842470.2
Date(s): 1842-08-20
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster note

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 843900.1
Webster Mss 843900.1
Date(s): 1843
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster note

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 831103
Webster Mss 831103
Date(s): 1831-01-03
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster note

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 832407
Webster Mss 832407
Date(s): 1832-07-07
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster note

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 851515
Webster Mss 851515
Date(s): 1851-09-15
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster note

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 852404
Webster Mss 852404
Date(s): 1852-07-14
Scope and Contents

Note from Daniel Webster in Washington, DC to Edward Curtis with an excerpt from Curtis' diary. Webster gives Curtis a copy of his speeches and thanks him for his friendship.

Daniel Webster note

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 837223.1
Webster Mss 837223.1
Date(s): 1837-03-23
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster note

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 836160.1
Webster Mss 836160.1
Date(s): 1836-02-10
Abstract

In English.

Daniel Webster note

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 809152
Webster Mss 809152
Date(s): circa 1809-02
Abstract

Note from Daniel Webster (1782-1852) to Samuel Ayer Bradley (1801-1874) informing Bradley that he is looking forward to his company at dinner. Additional note by Bradley in the corner of the address leaf. Typescript transcription of the note is also included.

Daniel Webster note

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 811480
Webster Mss 811480
Date(s): 1811-08-30
Abstract

Typescript transcript of note from Daniel Webster (1782-1852) to Samuel Ayer Bradley (1801-1874) with an account of the money Bradley owes Webster. According to a note the original of the letter was in the possession of Mrs. Charles R. Mattson in 1941.

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