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 transfer of stock
In English.
Daniel Webster will
The-page copy of Webster's will which according to Edward C. Lathem is not in Webster's hand nor signed by him.
Accoring to Fuess this will was signed October 23, 1852 which is the date used for the number, not the date used in the copy.
Daniel Webster writing
First draft of the Rockingham memorial in Daniel Webster's handwriting.
Daniel Webster writing
In English.
Daniel Webster writing
In English.
Daniel Webster writings
In English.
Daniel Webster writings
In English.
Daniel Webster writings
In English.
Daniel Webster writings
In English.
Daniel Webster's "7th of March speech"
Manuscript of Daniel Webster (1782-1852) speech and resolutions on the famine in Ireland. Includes corrected proofs of his speech on slavery known as the "7th of March speech," four letters, and eighteen engraved portraits of Webster, some of which are scarce. Correspondents include Thomas Aspinwall (1786-1876), William Plumer Jr. (1789-1854) and William P. Gardiner. Codex is bound in a large quorto volume of full red levant morocco.
Daniel Webster's notebook of names
Notebook kept by Daniel Webster (1782-1852) with names of persons who had send documents to him. Contains names and addresses, by state, of Webster's political friends, as well as newspaper clippings with the names of convention attendees. Includes Daniel Webster's book plate.
Daniel Webster's notes
In English.
Daniel Webster's notes for speech in opposition to the Mexican War delivered at the Whig State Convention, Springfield, Mass September 29, 1847., Holograph.
Notes attributed to Daniel Webster for a speech given in opposition to the Mexican War that is thought to have been delivered at the Whig State Convention, Springfield, Mass September 29, 1847.
Daniel Webster's notes on Holme's and Wirt's arguments
In English.
Daniels Webster letter
In English.
David A. Hall letter
In English.
David Colden letter
In English.
David Lee Child letter
In English.
David Outlaw letter
Letter from David Outlaw in the House of Representatives to Daniel Webster in Washington, DC, telling him that he has made inquiries as requested about Whig papers.
David S. Kaufman letter
In English.