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:
Marie Joseph Paul Roche Ives Gilbert de Motier, Marquis de Lafayette letter
In English.
Marshfield [Mass.], Letter
Regrets he cannot attend a meeting in Vermont on the 15th of August.
Marshfield, [Massachusetts] to Hon. Mr.[Thomas] Ewing , Letter
Briefly discusses MA political situation and Fearing's relations with the Whigs.
[Marshfield] to Richard M. Blatchford [New York], Letter
Writes of the weather.
Mary Ann Webster letter
In English.
Mary Keenan collection on Daniel Webster
The Mary Keenan collection on Daniel Webster contains documents and images related to Daniel Webster, including original Senate Bill for French Spoliation claims, small gathering of galleys of Webster's correspondence, a printed poem "A glance at Marshfield", two deeds, printed images of Webster, Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun as well as a contemporary clipping regarding one of Webster's speeches.
Maryland Institute for the Promotion of the Mechanic Arts letter
In English.
Massabesick Canal Corporation stock certificate
In English.
Meredith Poindexter Gentry letter
In English.
Michael L. Ritts letter
In English.
Millard Fillmore letter
In English.
Millard Fillmore letter
Letter from Millard Fillmore to the Secretary of State, informing Webster when he will be available to see him that day.
Miller and Parker Gore
In English.
Miller and Parker Gore
In English.
Miller and Parker Gore
In English.
Miller and Parker Gore letter
In English.
Miller and Parker Gore letter
In English.
Miller and Parker Gore letter
In English.
Miller and Parker Gore letter
In English.
Miller and Parker Gore letter
In English.