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:
Letter to George Ticknor, esq.
Webster inquires if Ticknor would meet the editor of the Whig Review, Mr. Colton.
Letter to John Anderson
Letter to John Anderson concerning payment of debts.
Letter to Judge [Joseph] Story
Undated personal note to Judge [Joseph] Story concerning a book description and shipwreck news.
Letter to Mr. Crittenden
Webster attempts to get a letter of introduction for his son to see General Taylor.
Letter to Rev. Calvin Hitchcock
Webster explores the moral teachings of the Old and New Testaments especially relevant to slavery.
Letter to Victory Birdseye
Webster informs U.S. Congressman Victory Birdseye that the U.S. will communicate with the Mexican Ambassador in regard to the release of Robert D. Philips. Philips was being held by Mexico in Santa Fe.
Letters to Samuel P. Lyman, New York
Four Letters to Samuel P. Lyman, Webster's biographer, relating to Webster's feud with congressman Charles Jared Ingersoll a long-time political enemy and to some scrip which Webster holds from the Trinity Co. of Texas.
Letters to Samuel P. Lyman, New York to Samuel P. Lyman, New York
Four Letters to Samuel P. Lyman, Webster's biographer, relating to Webster's feud with congressman Charles Jared Ingersoll a long-time political enemy and to some scrip which Webster holds from the Trinity Co. of Texas.
Levi Lincoln letter
In English.
Lewis Cass letter
In English.
Lewis Cass letter
In English.
Lewis Cass letter
Four-page letter from Lewis Cass in Paris to Daniel Webster, telling him that he met with the king. Speaks of United States, British and French relations.
Lewis Charles Levin letter
In English.
Lewis Condict letter
In English.
L.H. Morgan letter
In English.
Lorenzo Sabine letter
Letter from Lorenzo Sabine in Framingham to Daniel Webster in Washington, telling him that he will meet Webster to discuss the question of fisheries if possible. Included letter dated April 18, 1855 to William Kilby, Gastpae.
L.R.P. Stockton letter
Letter from L.R.P. Stockton in Rochester, New York to Daniel Webster in Washington, requesting a copy of Webster's March 7 Senate speech when it is published on behalf of the Rochester Athenaeum and Mechanics Association.
Luther Bradish letter
In English.
M. Blood letter
In English.
Many inventors letter
In English.