liMMIIill'liillil |l!li'ir!!,:!!ii'i ■I Itllii! i>ll'llllll I II! Ii::i|l llHilii i;Hi 1 1 1 iiiiir-'UiP'.i'iin! ■ ■■ill- mr BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME FROM THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUlND THE^GIFT OF lienirg M. Sage 1891 A-Z-^^.^fJ jiM>/////f^:/^ Date Due M^-^^^m^^ Cornell University Library E340.W37 A2 1902 The letters of Daniel Webster olin 3 1924 032 757 837 Cornell University Library The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924032757837 ^^^-^^^^-^^b^t^^^^S:^ THE LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER from documents owned principally by the new hampshire historical society . Edited by C. H. VAN TYNE, Ph.D. Senior Fellow iii American History University of Pennsylvania ALDI iMcCLURE, PHILLIPS & CO. NEW YORK 1902 COPYBIGHT, 1902, BY McCLURE, PHILLIPS & CO. Published October, 1902, N PREFACE At the time of Daniel Webster's death im, October of 1852, his papers were for the most part at Marshfield, though some had been left im the State Department and in his rooms in Washington. An attempt was evidently made within a month to issue a voliime of the letters, for Edward Everett wrote to Webster's son, Fletcher, on November 3, urging him to enjoin the Harpers not to print his father's letters. A post- script added that Mr. Lanman, who had been Webster's private secretary, should be dissuaded from any publication. A few days later Mr. Everett, writing from Washington, informed Fletcher Webster that the letters, papers and pamphlets in the State Department belonging to Webster would be boxed at once and forwarded to Marshfield. He requested that his letters to Webster, if found among the papers, should be returned to him. After these letters were sent North, Mr. Abbott, who had been Webster's amanuensis, received permission from President Fill- rtiore to make copies of the semi-official correspondence betweem himself and his ex-Secretary of State. This manuscript was also added to the mass of the Webster papers. By the will of the deceased, four literary executors had been appointed: Edward Everett, George Ticknor, C. C. Felton and George T. Curtis were to receive Webster's papers and determine their disposition. Within sixty days they began energetic efforts to get the letters of which no draft or copy had been kept. Cards were sent to a large number of persons known to have had corre- spondence with Webster. Many responded with copies of the desired letters, or sent the originals to be copied. Thus far the work of preserving the memory of the great statesman was well and efficiently done. The will had provided for the literary remains in the follow- ing manner: "And I direct my son, Fletcher Webster, to seal up all my letters, manuscripts, and papers, Sf at a proper time to select those relating to my personal history <§• my professional and public life, which, in his judgment, should be placed at their [vii] VIU PREFACE (the executors) disposal, <§• to transfer the same to them, to be used by them in such manner as they may think 'fit." With a view to effecting this wish, Edward Everett, for the executors, wrote Fletcher Webster in June of 1854; «« follows: "Since the choice out of so great a mass of materials of those adapted fori the press can only be made to advantage on a collective view of the whole, we shall be gratified to receive from you, as soon as convenient, such of the papers as you shall judge proper to be placed at our disposal, and we will then, as soon as possible, select from them (§• the collection made by ourselves those which it may be expedient to publish, at the present time, and these we wilt place in your hands for that purpose, agreeably to your request. " What further use may be made of the papers as materials for a comprehensive history of your father's life, will be a question for further consideration; and on this, and every other part of our duty, we shall at all times be desirous to learn your views, and most happy to have it in our power to comply with your wishes." From the time of this letter the whole matter seems to have-' rested for over a year, when Everett, having been importuned by Fletcher Webster for an opinion, writes, September 10, 1855, that "he has no hesitation in stating his confident belief that the correspondence <^ other papers of your late honored father now in your possession Sf in that of his literary executors contavn- ample material for several volumes not less interesting and valu- able than those already published; — perhaps for the general reader still more interesting. "It may be proper to add that at their meeting on the 11th. June, 1854., it was resolved by the Literary Executors, that such portions of your father's correspondence ^ papers as it might be deemed expedient to publish, should be placed in your hands for that purpose." Then, late in October, we find Edward Everett writing of bags and trunks of papers laid before the trustees a week previously. He had been directed to address an official letter to Fletcher Web- ster concerning the papers. He makes some suggestions about speeches to be preserved — which never were — and the form to be given any publication of the letters. He then reveals to us that Fletcher Webster had only put into the literary executors' posses- sion the letters which he "proposed to publish," and Mr. Everett urges the propriety of placing all in their hands — "who will make a business of examining, classing, probably binding, <§• otherwise carefully preparing for permanent preservation <§• fu- PREFACE ix ture use, such as are adapted for it. — Your father's will, I think, evidently contemplates the performance of this office by us. His reference to Mr. Abbott implies it. Great value tmll hereafter attach to these papers, scarcely inferior to those of Washimfg- ton. It is desirable for your Father's reputation as a states- man Sf jurist, that they should be put into the most convenient form for consultation. Washington's papers were as good (or as bad) as burn'd, till Mr. Sparks took them in hand, %5 years after his death, arranged, bound, (§• indexed them. "The performance of this great work — for such it is — will not delay the contemplated publication of two additional volumes of correspondence, speeches, 4" writings; — though I fear you over rate the impression, that it is to be the affair of three or four months." A week later Mr. Everett sent Fletcher Webster the mass of correspondence, with some advice as to the proprieties in editing them. He did not think it proper to publish the letters to and from Webster's first and second wife; just a few "specimens to illustrate his domestic relations." He urged the omission of the parts of letters relating to money matters. He thought it not expedient to publish the letters relating to the Randolph duel. Fletcher Webster then made a formal request of the executors for the copies of letters which surviving friends of Webster had placed in their hands. He had, he asserted, promised to have the volumes of correspondence ready for the press in January, 1856, and had not time to recur to the sources of these letters. He offered to submit his selection to the executors. Thus far the editor has the story from original manuscripts; the rest is partly derived from conversation with persons who are in a position to know the truth. He has also the story told in Fletcher Webster's preface and that of Curtis in his "Life of Webster." Finally, he has the results of observations made while examining the several collections of Webster manuscripts. Fletcher Webster's "Private Correspondence of Daniel Web- ster" appeared in 1856. After its publication he returned the borrowed copies to the literary executors, but in a confused con- dition. The papers left by his father were not turned over to the executors in any logical way. The three principal collections now existing seem to be a hodge-podge. The letters might have been laid upon the floor and shoveled into three heaps. There is no division on the basis of intimacy, date, or subject. The letters kept by Fletcher Webster were finally given to X PREFACE Professor Sanborn, who had aided him m the editing, and the greater part to Peter Harvey, who had been Daniel Webster s, closest friend toward the close of his life. Mr. Harvey evidently added to his collection, and June 14, 1876, personally presented them to the New Hampshire Historical Society. Here for the first time they were unfolded, fastened in volumes mad^ for stich purposes, and carefully preserved. It is this great col- lection of over 3,500 letters which furnishes the mass of corre- spondence herein published. The society, with a generous desire to place Webster's correspondence before the public, has given every facility to the editor for getting correct copies of the un- published letters and papers. But the fate of the rest of the letters is not to be forgotten. After Mr. Everett and Mr. Felton left the work undone, Mr. Ticknor had been regarded as the fit biographer of Webster; but he never performed the service, and it fell to George T. Curtis, With the letters collected by the executors, the volumes of the "Private Correspondence" and a few papers borrowed from Peter Harvey and Professor Sanborn, Mr. Curtis wrote his work. There is evidence in plenty that Mr. Harvey did not know what was among his papers, or that he did not choose to allow them to be used. Mr. Curtis reports as lost a number of documents which are now published from the letters once in Peter Harvey's posses- sion. After making this use of the executors' collection, Mr. Curtis kept the mass of papers in a supposed fireproof warehouse, and it is to the discriminating selection by Mr. C. P. Greenough of the majority of the valuable letters in this aggregation that we owe their preservation. He obtained permission to examine and take those which he selected for his own collection. After he had examined about two-thirds of the mass of papers, the warehouse was burned, and the remaining papers with it. Now, of these three preserved collections of Mr. Webster's papers, the editor has had free use of two, that of the New Hampshire Historical Society and that of Mr. Edwin W. San- born, of New York City. From the Tatter's collection there are about 30 letters incorporated in this book. The failure to get the use of all of the letters in Mr. Greenough's collection* has greatly altered the plan of the editor, who hoped to make this *Mr. Greenough has very kindly perniitted me to use ten of the letter^ which I regarded as the most important in his fine collection. It ought to be explained ailso that the great majority of the letters in Mr. Greenough's col- lection are letters to Webster and not from him. PREFACE xi collection complete. That ideal is impossible without the nearly IfOO DESIRABLE letters contained in Mr. Greenough's collection. Solely with a desire to aid accurate study of Webster, the editor wishes to state the results of a critical comparison of some of the original letters with those published in Fletcher Webster's edition of his father's correspondence. Of greatest importance is the fact that omissions in the text, often for very poor reasons, are not indicated. Where the parts omitted are of value, they have been incorporated in their proper place in this work. Over forty xxDvndicated omissions have been discovered in the process of comparing only a small per cent, of the whole number there published. Again, there are many evidences of careless work — names are confused, dates are wrong, words and phrases are in- correct, and initials are used where the original has the full name. There is a systematic omission of unpleasant things that Webster had to say concerning Abolitionists. It must be remembered, however, that the book was published before the war and while the anti-slavery agitation was at its height. The editorial sin in most cases is not in the omission, but in not indicating the omis- sion. Another exhibition of editorial frailty is in the correction of spelling. The rough farmers, John Taylor and Porter Wright, are made to write like cultured scholars. The real charm of their letters to their fellow-farmer, Daniel Webster, is thus lost. In carrying out this work a number of facts about the fate of Webster papers have been brought to the notice of the editor. Every effort has been made to trace Webster letters, and possible owners in all parts of the country have been written for that purpose. Nevertheless, letters which surely were written, and, in fact, letters the preservation of which, is positively attested, are not to be found. Even correspondence sent the literary execu- tors and listed in letters to them, which the editor has seen, are' missing. Webster's letters to his first wife he must personally have destroyed, though he kept her letters to himself nearly 25 years. Again, many letters written by him to Fletcher Webster, and of which the latter makes especial mention, are not to be found. It is known that Julia Webster deliberately destroyed her father's letters to her. In a list of known English corre- spondents of Webster, there is but one name which may be found among the published or unpublished letters. The Earl of Derby, Lord Wharncliffe, Sir Charles R. Vaughn, Mr. Kenyon, Robert Walsh, Sir James Graham, Earl Spencer, Miss Edge- xii PREFACE worth, and the Archbishop of York are known to have been corre- spondents of Webster. One of the most remarkable lacunae is the absence of letters to and from Rufus Choate. It seems in- credible that these two men could have been such warm friends for many years and have exchanged only two or three letters. In preparing the papers for publication, the editor has sought to render to the reader an exact copy* of such letters, to which he has had access, as reflect the character of the man, show his rela- tions with his family, friends, or the public, and illustrate his political motives. The mass of petty letters to him which con- stitute one of the penalties of greatness has hardly a claim for preservation. Curiosity gets a transitory pleasure upon the dis- covery that there were hundreds of silly people who wanted a lock of Webster's hair, or poets who hoped that he would "grant to the bard the boon" of permitting a poem to be dedicated to him- self, "the wondrous man." One came "all the way from the far Hesperus to the Athens of America" to see his hero. If Web- ster was in trouble, there came a flood of anonymous condolences full of absurd sentiment. If he was ill, every anonymous granny sent her sovereign remedy, and even his corns did not escape the solicitude of admirers. When he rendered his country some great service, and, in consequence, was more than usually bur- dened, every little debating society over the broad land honoked him by choosing him to deliver an oration at their next meeting. Boats about to be launched were named for him, and he had only to deliver the oration at the launching-festival. Anonymous words of warning apprised him of secret machinations making against him, and prophets foretold his election to the Presidency at an early date. Hundreds of nobodies sent him, their valuable advice in great historical crises. As a matter of course, all such ephemeral literature has been discarded. But there are letters of another sort, homely, quiet letters from the wife or children, containing much that is trivial and commonplace, mingled with a few sentences that reveal the home life or the characters of the- family. These the editor has taken the liberty to mutilate and to print only such portions as can be a source of information. With Webster's letters to others no such liberty has been taken. It mny be added that in no case has any letter been anatomized for the purpose of concealing unpleasant facts or characteristics. • All errors in the manuscript are reproduced in the printed copies, whether of spelling, punctuation, or grammar. PREFACE xiii The same may be said of the letters themselves which have been examined by the editor. He has had no reason for discarding except that of economizing space by ignoring the relatively un- important. In using his editorial judgment for this purpose, he has not forgotten that persons will come to these letters for widely different purposes. He has tried to keep in mind the wants of all, from the economist to the theologian. In the letters about the farm even the botanist and zoologist have not been for- gotten, and the mathematician can ply his mysterious trade in untangling Webster's financial affairs. The editor ought to mention in this connection that in the New Hampshire Historical Society vault (Section B, Shelf I, No. 16) there are a large number of notes about routine work that passed between Web- ster and Fillmore, the contents of which have no possible value now, but in the mass indicate the volume of business that passed between them. There are also (Section B, Shelf I, No. 18) many packages of legal papers pertaining to Webster's law practice, but not in any way illuminating his own business methods. Finally, as to the arrangement of material in this volume, it has seemed to the editor unwise to place every letter in its chron- ological order, regardless of its nature. Many letters make no mention whatever of the statesman's public life, and deal only, with the farm, home affairs, abstract questions of morals not con- nected with the events of the day, and matters having no effect upon political motives. The editor will grant that his judgment may err in this, and to Tneet that possibility a chronological list of all the letters has been made. The arrangement adopted presents the different aspects of the great character of Webster. Sydney Smith said that "the mean- ing of an extraordinary man is that he is eight men, not one man; that he has as much wit as if he had no sense, and as much sense as if he had no wit; that his conduct is as judicious as if he were the dullest of men, and his imagination as brilliant as though he were irretrievably ruined." It is to illustrate the eight men that this division serves. If it were possible, it would be desirable to set apart Webster as the orator, the statesman, the jurist, and the diplomat; but those phases are so woven in the woof of the letters that only the mind is subtle enough to extricate them; the hand cannot divide them one from another. Therefore, the fragments which throw a little light upon his early life, the more related letters which narrate his career as politician with local interests, and the volume of correspondence xiv PREFACE which tells with fair completeness the story of his life as a great national statesman have been selected for those purposes. Then the unrelated residue has been used to portray the man. In the matter of annotation the editor has attempted only to account for letters, when preceding or following letters do not do it, and to give a few brief statistics about those persons writ- ing or written to whose reputation was local rather than national. Such explanations are only made upon the first mention of th^ persons in question. The sources of the letters are also imdi- cated, except the great number printed from the New Hampshire Historical Society collection. The assumption may be made that the original is there, if not otherwise indicated. As to the accu- racy of the copies, the editor has with very few exceptions per- sonally compared the originals with the copies, which were made by experienced and trustworthy typewriters. It is with real pleasure that the editor takes up the subject of his obligations. To have experienced the kindness that he has everywhere met in the prosecution of this work is in itself a rich reward. It seemed as if every one's enthusiasm and love for the great character of Webster went out to the humble compiler of^ his correspondence. In several instances the persons to whom a letter of inquiry had been sent — persons wholly unknown to the editor — wrote an urgent invitation to come, stay under their own roof, and examine their letters at leisure. If the invitation was accepted, the host received and treated the guest as royally as if he were the great "Expounder" himself. Then there has been the kindly counsel and the earnest enthusiasm for the success of the work. To Professor John Bach McMaster, of the University of Pennsylvania, I am especially indebted in that particular. From the librarian of the New Hampshire Historical Society, Rev. N. F. Carter, I have received such kind consideration, as- sistance and warm approval of my work that mere acknowledg- ment here seems trivial. Nor is the library committee of thai society, Amos Hadley, Rev. C. L. Tappan, Mrs. Frances C. Stevens, to be forgotten in the expression of my gratitude. Their broad views of the demands of such a publication harue given- me a latitude in the execution of this work which greatly adds to its value. For friendly aid in the matter of tracing letters, I am indebted to Mr. Albert S. Batchellor, of Littleton, N. H., who also lent his warm approbation and earnest argument in favor, of permitting me to use the N. H. Historical Society collection, as did Mr. L. D. Stevens and Rev. C. L. Tappan, of that society. PREFACE XV Mr. Otis G. Hammond, of the New Hampshire State Library, placed every facility of that library at my disposal and mani- fested great personal interest in the execution of the work. Mr. Fred L. Paxson, of Philadelphia, lent me the earnest aid of a friend in the work of research. In the labor of editing I have been greatly aided by the privileges granted me at the Harvard Library and in the Pennsylvania Historical Society Library. Mr. John W. Jordan, of the latter institution, has shown especial interest in this work, and ga?ve valuable suggestions as to the* sources of letters, as well as personally soliciting the owners of letters. Mr. C. E. Bliss, of Bangor, Me., who owns one of the finest collections of Websteriana in existence, personally aided my work with his material, and gave many valuable suggestions. My obligation to the Honorable George F. Hoar is unique. Be- sides placing his collection of Webster letters at my disposal, he gave kindly and judicious counsel and imparted an enthusiasm to my work which nothing but his strong sympathy with Webster could give. Charles Francis Adams unreservedly furnished the Webster letters found in the Adams archives. Judge Charles R. Corning, of Concord, N. H., manifested throughout a lively in- terest in the work and kindly lent the letters in his hands for copying. The others to whom the reader and editor are indebted for letters loaned or copies sent are Mr. Charles Roberts, of Philadelphia; Mr. A. F. Lewis, Fryeburg, Me.; Isabel D. Bron- son. Summit, N. J.; Mr. J. B. Foster, of Bangor, Me.; Mr, Horatio Gates Cilley, of Manchester, N. H.; Mr. M. D. Bisbee, librarian of Dartmouth College; Mrs. E. H. GUman, Miss Frances E. Moulton and Mrs. Mary E. Bell, of Exeter, N. H.; Mr. Arthur G. Stevens, of Concord, N. H.; Miss Emma E. Webb, of Bangor, Me., and the Boston Athenaum. The editor has also selected a few letters of Webster's which had been published in books either very rare or to which one would not naturally refer. Such sources are indicated in the annotations. Books which contain letters which have not been here incorporated are: "Memoir of R. C. Winthrop," Massachusetts Historical Society Proceedings, Vol. V., p. 278, and also the last volume issued^ "Life and Writings of Jared Sparks," "Chancellor Kent's Me- moirs," "Private Correspondence of Henry Clay" (13 letters), "Life and Correspondence of Rufus King," "Dickinson's Life, Letters, and Speeches," "Memoir and Correspondence of Jere- miah Mason, Cambridge, 1873"; "Scribner's Magazine," Vol. XXVI. (in the articles by Senator Hoar). These are in addi- xvi PREFACE tion to the well-known sources, such as Curtis' "Life of Daniel Webster," Lanman, Harvey and Lyman's lives of Webster; the "Private Correspondence," the "Works of D. Webster," and the official letters found in the government documents and the volume of "Diplomatic Letters of D. Webster." There are un- published letters in the American Antiquarian Society and in the Massachusetts Historical Society libraries. With these dry bits of information the editor takes leave of the work of collecting Webster's unpublished letters and papers. He has learned that there is much of the commonplace in the' work even of a truly great man. There is abundant evidence that the massive mind of Webster needed, if it was to manifest its greatest power, the spur of a great national crisis. Webster had to feel that the fate of a nation hung upon his words, if he was to render the best that was in him. It must not be forgotten that even his great formal orations were delivered upon stirring patriotic occasions. His mind had little subtlety, and his letters have none of that ingenuity in the phrasing of trivial matters which is characteristic of the typical literary man. He was always planning some monumental work in the field of literature, but never wrought it out. He seems to have been ever absorb- ing and thinking, and then, when the hour came for tremendous action, his unwilling mind got under way and we get a glimpse of him hammering out a great speech in a few days or a few hours, only to relax again when the bolt is spent, and to go on in a commonplace way until he is again aroused. The chief charm of his letters is the weight which his judgments carry with them. It is terrible to be denounced by that overwhelming mind, and good to be pleasing in the sight of Jove. Sometimes he was irritable, rarely petty, but usually wholesome, magnanimous, and with a lofty dignity. It is for Webster, the man, that one coTnes to the letters; the statesman, the jurist, and the orator are m the volumes which we call his works. CONTENTS ' Letters to. ^ Letters from. WEBSTER'S EARLY LIFE PAGE Braduey, Samuel "^ ... 6 Pickering, Timothy ' . . . Bingham, Jabies H. ' . 7,14 Sawyer, Nathaniel ^ . . . Daita, Judson ' . 33 Sparhawk, Samuel ' . . . Davis, Moses ' . . 16 Terrible Tractoration, Review Fuller ' . 25 of the First Canto of . Herbert, Geo. ^ 35,27 Webster, Ebenezer " . . . McGaw, Jacob ' . 15 Webster, Ezekiel " ... Moody, Stephen ' . 24, Webster, Ezekiel ' . . . Oration, An 7 Webster, Mehitable " . . . Paysoh, Hon. Moses P. . 39 Webster, Sally " . . . . page 39 3 26 19 18 14 17 WEBSTER, THE LOCAL POLITICIAN 75 56 Baldvon, Henry ^ .... 84 Baldwin, Henry "^ .... 83 Boyd, Samuel " ... Brown, Rev. Francis ' Conscription Bill, An Unpub- lished Speech on the CuTTs, Jr., Edw. ^ . . . Kent, Moody ' ... 40, 69 Lawrence, Mr. ^ .... 49 Lawrence, Mr. ^ .... 50 March, Charles ' 32, 34, 35, 36, 37 38, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47 Mason, Jeremiah ^ 71, 73, 74, 76, 78 80, 81, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 91, 93 McGaw, Jacob "^ Paige, James W. ' . Payson, Hon. Moses P.* Perkins, Dr. Cyhus " Perkins, T. H., et al.' , Thom, James ^ . Smith, Jeremiah ^ Speech on the Conscription Bill, An Unpublished Sullivan, William ^ Waldron, Mr.- Webster, Ezekiel ^ . 53, 89, 91 Webster, Ezekiel' 31,37,51,54,55,68 . 77 73, 73, 90 70 77 90 49 79 56 50 WEBSTER, THE NATIONAL STATESMAN Abbott, G. J. To D. Fletcher Webster . 449 To Millard Fillmore . . 543 To Peter Harvey . 516, 540 Adams, Charles Francis * . . 228 Adams, Charles Francis ^ . . 330 Adams, John Q.' 113, 116, 133, 138 140, 173, 176, 178, 385, 288 Appleton, Nathan ' 101, 125, 163, 173, 179, 187, 188, 305, 306, 308, 333 Arista, Don Mariana ' . . 429 Ashburton, Lady ^ .... 254 CONTENTS PAGE AsHBURTON, Lord ' 253, 372, 283, 308 AyeRjB.F.' 443 Bates, Isaac C .... 272 Benton, Thomas H.^ 157,169,170,173 Benton, Thomas H.' Ill, 157, 169, 170, 171, 173 Biddle, Nicholas - . . . . 213 BiDDLE, Nicholas ■ . . . . 190 BiGELow, Mr., e« a/.'- . . .389 Blatchford, R. M. (FromWm. H.Seward) . . 311 Boston Common Council, Re- solutions OF 471 Bremner, M. R., et al? . . 462 Brinley, Francis - . . . . 473 Buchanan, James ' . . . 163 Campbell, Robert B.' . . . 137 (To John Randolph) . . 138 Carey, Matthew '■.... 183 Cass, Lewis ^ .... 318,461 Choate, Rufus ^ . . . . 184 (ToGeo. Lunt) . •. . .465 Citizens of New York, The ' . 418 Ci^Y, Henry = .... 118,176 Clay, Henry' .... 146,181 Clayton, John M." . . . 453 Clayton, John M.' . . . 454 Clemson, Thomas G.^ . . . 411 Coffin, Nathaniel ^ . . . 231 CoRwiN, Thomas ' . . . . 475 COWPERTHWAITE, HeNBY ' . . 214 Curtis, Edward 1 . . 325,478,533 (To Peter Harvey) . 404,406,407 408, 409, 414, 425, 534, 529 Davis, John » .... 230,370 Dearborn, H. A.'' 104, 147, 185, 186, 472 Dwight, Louis ' . . . . 155 Editorial on Writing Letters TO the President . . . 337 Everett, Edward ^ . . . 146, 331 Everett, Edward ' 179, 188, 189, 195 303, 210, 266, 268, 345, 354, 361 (To Fij;tcher Webster) . . 451 Exchequer, The .... 249 Ex-Members' Publications Ab- breviated, The .... 238 EwiNG, Thomas ' . . . . 385 Fillmore, Millard - 364, 436, 438, 456, 527 Fillmore, Millard ' 421, 433, 423, 427, 428, 430 431, 434, 437, 440, 443, 444 445, 446, 447, 457, 461, 464 466, 467, 468, 470, 483, 487 505,506,515,531,533,535 Foreign page 543 460 . 389 . 107 107, 111) . 537 . 541 . 541 . 351 . 412 . . 457 (From Mb. Abbott) Foote, Henry S.' . French Minister op Affairs, The ' Furness, W. H.^ Gaston, William ^ . Gaston, William ' . Grinnell, W. H., et aV Grinnell, W. H.'' . Grinnell, W. H.' . Grover, Thomas D., et al} Hall, J. Prescott ' Harvey, Jacob ^ Harvey, Peter ' 321, 237, 295, 296, 362, 374 392, 405, 408, 412, 413, 414 415,416,417,419,423,424 433, 460, 468, 474, 476, 516 (From Edward Curtis) 404, 406, 407, 408, 409 414, 425, 524, 529 (From D. Fletcher Webster) 419 (From Hiram Ketchum) 463, 523, 526 (FromG. J. Abbott) . . 516,540 Hatch, Mr.' 543 Haven, Franklin ' . . . 514 Henshaw, David ' .... 477 Hilliard, Henry W.' . . . 468 Hitchcock, Calvin ' . . . 403 Hoar, E. Rockwood ' . . . 371 Houston, Samuel ^ . . . ■ . 209 Hulseman, Chevalier ^ 447, 487, 490, 491, 495 Hulseman, Chevalier ' 491, 494, 495 (To President Fillmore) . 496 (From Mr. Schwarzenberg) 454 HunTjH.' 205 Hunter, Wm.^ 452 (To D. Fletcher Webster) . 449 Huntington, Asabel ' . . . 445 Huntington, Judge ' (Extract) 503 Irving, Washington * . . . 233 Jarnagin, Spencer ^ . . . 342 Jarves, Denning ' . . . . 426 Kent, Edward ' . . . . 248 Kent, James ' 333 Kent, James ' 158 Ketchum, Hiram ^ . . . . 474 (To Peter Harvey) 463, 523, 526 Kinsman, H. W. = .... 191 Kinsman, H. W.' .... 158 Lawrence, Abbott ' . 507, 513, 514 Lawrence, Samuel ' . . 418, 424 Longacre, James B.' . . . 148 CONTENTS PAGE LoNGACRE, James B.^ . . . 149 Lowell Committee, The ' . . 479 LuNT, Geo.^ 466 (From RuFUS Choate) . . 465 Maech, Chas. W." . 363,390,480 501, 504, 517, 518, 534 Makcoleta, J. de ' . . . . 483 Marshall, Edw. E.' . . .202 Mates, Richard 3.' ... 539 MASOjf, Jeremiah "... . 131 Mason, Jeremiah * 103, 105, 109, 110, 114, 115 136, ISO, 152, 159, 188, 193 McCuRDY, Charles J.' . . 497,523 Memorandum 112 142 174 215 220 341 386 420 449 530 ..... 542 183 THE InGER- 319 Objects Memoranditm on soLL Charges Message Prepared for Presi- dent Tyler on the Tariff, A. 245 Message, The 243 Mintuhn, R. B., et aV . . .278 Mills, James K.' . . 334,335,336 MuNROE, Isaac * . . . . 147 Nesmith, Geo. W.' .... 224 Next Senate, The .... 226 Notes of 7th of March Speech 393 Paige, James W.' . . 115,189 Pearce & Bullock ' . . . 263 Parsons, Theophilus ^ . . . 227 Perkins, T. H., ei a«.' . . .406 Perry, Benj. F.' .... 356 Petighu, J. L.^ 536 Phillips, Joshua ' . . . . 131 PLnMER,W.' .... 101,110 Pope, Le Roy, et al. . . . 539 Pratt, Thomas G.' .... 204 Pratt, Thomas G.' .... 204 Prescott, Dr.Wm.' .... 440 Randolph, John (From Robt. B. Campbell) . 138 Rives, William C.^ .... 508 Rogers, Henry B., et al.' . . 473 Rogers, Henry B., et al.^ . . 474 page Rush, Richard ' . . . .411 Rush, Samuel, et aU . . . 261 Sartiges, Mon. de ' . . . .511 Scheme for the Settlement of the Northwestern Boun- dary, A 215 Scott, J. W." 148 Schenck's, Hon. R. C, State- ment in Regard to Mr. In- GERSOLL 324 SCHWARZENBERG, Mr. (To Mr. Hulseman) . . 454 Senate, The Next .... 226 Severance, Luthur ' . . 458, 484 Seward, Wm. H.' .... 231 (To R. M. Blatchford) . . 311 SixLiMAN, Benjamin D.' . . 211 Smith, Francis O. J.° . . . 318 (To Fletcher Webster) . . 324 Smith, Jeremiah ' . . . 115,186 Sparks, Jared ' . . . 286,287 Speech in Senate, March 23, 1848. (Extract from) . Speech of August 12, 1848 Speech of 7th of March, Notes of ... Spencer, Hon. Ambrose ' Spencer, Hon. Ambrose ' Spencer, John C." . Spencer, Joshua A.* Spencer, J. S.' 444 Sprague, Joseph E.' . 125, 126, 134 135, 138, 139, 140, 149, 152, 160 Sprague, Peleg ' 318 Stetson, Charles ' . . . . 486 Stetson, Charles A.' . . . 532 Stetson, Charles A.' . . . 533 (Webster's Interview with Charles A. Stetson) Stevens, A. G.' . Stimpson, John ' Stone, Wm. W., et al.' Story, Joseph D.' Story, Joseph ' Sumner, Charles ' Tavenner, G. H.' Tavenner, G. H.' TiBBS, B. B.' Thompson, Waddy ' Toast, Daniel Webster's Tyler, John ' 231, 234, 239, 273, 274, 285, 310, 317 Tyler, John ' 232, 237, 241, 274, 275, 276, 309 397 399 393 . 164 . 167 301, 482 531 . 190 . 534 . 196 . 153 263, 267 . 219 . 520 . 521 . 361 418 CONTENTS Unkktown (To- -) 117,160,258,372,335,355 Vax VECHTEif, Abraham ' . . 174 Van Vechten, Abraham ' . . 175 Varnum, Jr., Joseph B.^ . . 512 Walsh, Robert ' . . . . 148 Webb, James Watson ' . . . 208 Weed, Thublow ' . . , . 240 Weed, Thurlow ' . . . . 477 Wheaton, Henry ' ... 303 White, Stephen ^ . . . . 161 Wilkinson, Judge ' . . . 220 Williams, Reitel ' . . , . 258 Williams, Reuel ' . . . 256,260 Williams, Sherrod ' , . , 345 Williams, Sherrod ^ . . . 346 Wilson, John ' .... 255 WiNTHROP, Robert C." . . . 311 Winslow, Rev. Hubbard ' . . 419 Wright, Silas'' 179 Webster, Mrs. Caroline ' 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201 203, 205, 207, 212, 223, 225 234, 235, 236, 275, 276 Webster's Interview with Chas. a. Stetson Webster's, Daniel, Toast 418 PAGE Webstee, D. Fletcher ' 151, 209, 210, 221, 223, 483, 503 Webster, D. Fletcher ' 206, 223, 241, 273, 277, 278 279, 280, 281, 282, 286, 287 288, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300 302, 304, 305, 306, 307, 326 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 337 342, 343, 344, 349, 350, 352 356, 357, 358, 359, 363, 366 367, 368, 369, 370, 371, 372 373, 375, 376, 377, 379, 380 381, 382, 383, 384, 385, 387 388, 391, 393, 405, 409, 410 415, 417, 422, 439, 464, 475 479, 481, 506, 524, 532, 536 537 (From G. J. Abbott) . . 449 (From Edward Everett) . 451 (From Wm. Hunter) . . 449 (To Peter Harvey) . . 419,526 Webster, Edward ' . 354, 359, 360 Webster, Edward ' . . . . 353 Webster, Ezeejel ^ ... 141 Webster, Ezekiel ' 103, 106, 110, 113, 120, 124 127, 133, 141, 143, 144, 145 WEBSTER'S FAMILY RELATIONS Appleton, Julia Webster ^ . 604 Webster, D. Fletcher ^ Greene, C.W.' 546 574,586,587,602,603,604 Lafayette" 574 605,606,607,608 Lee, Eliza BucKMiNSXER " . . 576 (From Mrs. Grace Webster) Mason, Jeremiah ' . . .572 „ 547,548 McGaw, Jacob ^ .... 577 Webster, D. Fletcher (Mrs. ) ^ Paige, James W." .... 552 „, ^ , 603,605,606 Paige, James W.' . . .570,571 Webs™r' Edw^d ^ . . . 598 ) Deck. 19. [1834] Dr Sir, I have yr favor of the 15. — Tomorrow, I intend to send you a remittance of 1500, or thereabouts. If it do not go tomorrow, (as I trust it will,) it cannot go for two or three days; but it will go.^ — Mr Fletcher has a blank, by which he can renew Mr A's note. The note, you know, is secured by stock. — The Bank Report has made Mr Benton, & the Globe, & aU the K. C. full of wrath. They say Mr Webster wrote it— now Mr W. did not write a page of it. — Mr W. you know, had sense enough to leave the whole investigation to Mr E. & Mr M.^ — Every thing relative to your affair stands well. Nothing is said of loans to Directors, & all that is said abt. loans to members of Congress is true & just — & as it should be. — The Report acquits the public men of the country, of all sides, from any such influ- ence over their conduct as the Bank could exert. We have nothing new here, abt. French affairs. Our latest in- telligence, is in the N. Y. papers. I am always truly Yrs D. Webster The Senate does not sit today, (friday) & the House is on private bills. (To A. G. Stevens.^) Washington, Jan. 1, 1835. Dear Sir: I have written to Mr. Kelley to-day endorsing notes, &c, and desiring him to close the bargain with Mr. Shaw for the pasture. ' Mr. Chas. Roberts, of Philadelphia, kindly loaned this letter. ^ Ewing and Mangum. * This letter is in the possession of Arthur Stevens, of Concord, N. H., who kindly furnished a copy. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 191 I rely entirely on your judgment & his in the matter, & hope it will be brought to a conclusion soon. — We shall now be likely to have pasture enough ; perhaps more pasture than hay. — The cattle which were bought last fall did pretty well. The best bargain was that for the steers, of Mr. Babcock. The oxen which were had of Mr. Noyes of Boscawen, turn out well. Most of the cattle were sold. The 4 year old & two year old steers we kept. — I wish you to keep some of your young stock, (if not the whole) rather better than is usual in the country. I would like to have at least one pair of steers raised every year, which might grow to some size — The heifer calves of the Durham breed, should also be well kept. If you should have a full blooded one, this year, let it run with the cow. In general, I believe it is better to keep but little stock & keep it well. — I wrote sometime ago to Mr. Kelley, respecting the repairs of the house. If that business is undertaken, as I hope it will be, you must see that everything is so arranged that the house will be done & in readiness for me and my wife by the first of June — I should be glad you would write me on these matters. — You will wish to know what is the prospect of a quarrel with France.- — It is somewhat uncertain & must remain so until we hear from France. Congress will not take any hostile step at present. — The danger is, that France may be either angry, or alarmed, when she sees the President's Message, & may take some measure, which will make matters worse. On the other hand, we have some hopes that France will have agreed to pay the money, due by treaty, before the Message reaches Paris — Mrs. Webster & Julia desire remembrance to your wife & daughter. Yours, Danl. Webster. (From H. W. Kinsman} J Jany. 18 /35 Dear Sir I will give you a little chapter of the secret history of matters here — There are, as you are probably aware, among the whigs • A member of the Massachusetts Legislature from Newburyport. 192 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER three parties, viz — Those Who are more friendly to Mr. Clay as a candidate than to yourself ; Those who prefer you ; & wish to make a nomination forthwith and, those, who, although you would be their first preference, yet wish to wait to take up the strongest whig candidate who may appear in the field — These are all honest, sincere whigs. There is, however, besides, a set of waiters upon Providence who at present hail from the whig party, but who are ready to attach themselves to any party in which they can become conspicuous ; these last are generally opposed to you at heart, although they do not deem it prudent to say so openly, & they have occasioned us considerable embarrassment by their management & secret whisperings with the first & last men- tioned portions of the Whig party. All the delay in our pro- ceedings has arisen from this source. At the preliminary meet- ing on Friday evening, which I mentioned in my last, your im- mediate nomination was advocated by T. Parsons, F. Dexter & M. N. Hale and also by Mr. Gray & Mr. Baylies — It was op- posed by A. H. Everett, who said that your prospect was hope- less; that we, by nominating you should take a course fatal to the influence of the State, & perhaps ruinous to the cause ; that unquestionably some more popular candidate would be taken up by the Whigs, & we should then, being pledged to support you & not being able to recede, be placed in a very embarrassing position ; he affected to doubt, notwithstanding his brother's let- ters were read, whether Mr. Clay had yet declined & c. &c. Chap- man of Greenfield, also opposed an immediate nomination, he is, I think, a good whig, but his bump of self-esteem is very strongly developed, as the Phrenologists — would say, — his ground was that Mr. Clay could not have declined — he said he had recently been at Washington, had frequently seen Mr. Clay, & conversed with him, & that that gentleman had not mentioned to him (Mr. Chapman) that he Intended to decline being a candidate, he there- fore could not believe it &c &c — Roberts of Salem, was also incHned to the opposition, he is also a good whig, but a very soft one, his whig principles are not yet burnt into him, & hardly any other principles, & he has withal such a desire to appear honest, fair & courteous, that he is almost willing to yield the very question in dispute to his ad- versary, for the sake of being called generous & candid. From this discription you will perceive, that It was better for us that he should begin on the other side, as he did, & come over to us in a candid, fair, courteous & gentlemanly manner, as he also THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 193 did — It was with a view to make these men operate in our favour by putting them into a conspicuous situation, that they were all, with Mr. Shaw who professes to be favourable, put on the Committee so that they cannot bolt, or get out of the traces, without being noticed, although I am apprehensive that their policy was carried too far — The committee ought to have been so numerous, as to have given us a majority of assured friends — We hope, however, by keeping a vigilant eye upon their proceed- ings, that we shall be able to finish the business this week, and if there is any flinching, any hesitation on the part of the Commit- tee, in calling the proposed meeting, it will be called nevertheless by others — In this state of things we were much troubled by the prema- ture assignment of the time for the election of a senator, a move- ment which has every appearance of having been concealed — Our present plan is, to have a meeting Tuesday or Wednes- day evening, of which the President of the Senate is to be made Prest. & the Speaker, Vice Prest., & if everything goes on accord- ing to present expectation you will hear by the last of this week the result — Yrs. H. W. Kinsman (To Jeremiah Mason} ) Washington, February 1, 1835. My Dear Sir, — I received your letter yesterday, and the mail of today brings intelligence verifying your prediction that Mr. Davis would be elected Senator. So far as regards the filling up the vacant seat in the Senate, nothing could be better. I hope all the evil will not happen, which is expected or feared, arising from the diffi- culty of finding him a successor in the administration of the executive government of the State. I do not think Mr. Adams will ever again consent to be a candidate ; certainly not against Mr. Everett; and Mr. Everett and Mr. Bates are not men to suffer the harmony of the State to be disturbed by a controversy among their personal friends. I am still most anxious that all fair means should be used to settle this masonic and anti-masonic quarrel in Massachusetts. You have little idea how much it re- ' Reprinted from Jeremiah Mason's "Memoirs." 194 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER tards operations elsewhere. The reported debate in the Whig Caucus, on the subject of the Bristol Senators, is industriously sent to every anti-masonic quarter of the Union, and has excited much unkind feeling, and thereby done mischief. We are en- deavoring here to make the best of Borden.* Our anti-masonic friends in Congress will write to him, advising him not to com- mit himself to any course of public conduct, till he shall come here and see the whole ground. The nomination appears to have been done as well as it could be. I mean, of course, in the manner of it. No fault is found with it by our friends, so far as I know. Measures are in train to produce a correspondent feeling and action, in New York, Vermont, and some other States. The Legislature of Maryland is now in session, and I have seen a letter today, which says, that if Mr. Clay were fairly out of the way, that Legislature would immediately second the Massa- chusetts nomination. Mr. Clay does nothing, and will do noth- ing, at present. He thinks — or perhaps it is his friends who think — ^that something may yet occur, perhaps a war, which may, in some way, cause a general rally around him. Besides sundry of the members of Congress from Kentucky, in addition to their own merits, rely not a little on Mr. Clay's popularity, to insure their reelection next August. They have been, therefore, altogether opposed to bringing forward any other man at pres- ent. Public opinion will, in the end, bring out these things straight. If Massachusetts stands steady, and our friends act with prudence, the union of the whole Whig and anti-masonic strength is certain. Everything indicates that result. Judge McLean already talks of retiring. His nomination seems coldly received everywhere. Unless Indiana should come out for him, I see no probability of any other movement in his favor. Mr. White's nomination is likely to be persisted- in. Neither you nor I have ever believed it would be easy to get Southern votes for any Northern man; and I think the prospect now is, that Mr. Van Buren will lose the whole South. This schism is calculated to give much additional strength to our party. If Mr. W. appear likely to take the South, it will be seen that Mr. Van Buren cannot be chosen by the people; and as it will be under- stood that Mr. White's supporters are quite as likely to come to us, in the end, as to go to Van Buren, his course will lose the powerful support which it derives, or has derived from an assured ' Nathaniel B. Borden, Representative in Congress from the Fall River District, Mass. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 195 hope of success. The effect of these apprehensions is already visible. The recent attempt to shoot the President is much to be lamented. Thousands will believe there was a plot in it; and many more thousands will see in it new proof, that he is espe- cially favored and protected by Heaven. He keeps close as to the question between White and Van Buren. I have omitted to do what I intended, that is, to say a few words upon that part of your letter which relates to myself, more directly. In a day or two I will make another attempt to accomplish that purpose. Mr. Taney's case is not yet decided. A movement is contem- plated to annex Delaware and Maryland to Judge Baldwin's cir- cuit, and make a circuit in the West for the judge now to be ap- pointed. If we could get rid of Mr. Taney, on this ground, well and good; if not, it will be a close vote. We shall have a warm debate on the Post Office Report, the Alabama resolutions, and other matters ; but I think my course is to take no prominent part in any of them. I may [say] something against expunging the Journal. Yours truly, D. Webstee. (To Edward Everett.) PRIVATE March 2d, 1835. Dear Sir, There is great complaint here, of the neglect of the House of Representatives of all important business. I give this hint, so that friends should not concur in any course, which shall occupy what remains of the time of the House, farther than is absolutely necessary on the French subject.^ Yours D. W. (To Edward Everett.) May 31" 1835. Dear Sir, I must not omit to express my thanks for the Resolutions ; and more especially, to signify my entire and hearty concurrence in their tone and spirit, without reference to the particular nomina- ' Mr. Everett was in the House of Representatives. 196 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER tion. The Citizens of Boston, I think, have placed their feet on solid grounds of principle and patriotism, and whatever may betide the Country, they will have no dereliction, or backsliding, wherewith to reproach themselves. I am bound off for Washington, on Tuesday morning. There being two or three things to speak about, I intend calling at your house this evening, between six and seven o'clock, for a few minutes. I desire this the more especially, as I may now hope to see Mrs. E. But there are several friends in town, and as they may call in, in the P. M. it is quite uncertain whether I may be able to leave home ; so that if you have any engagement out, pray do not keep yourself in, in expectation of my call. — Yours truly D. Webstee. (From Wm. W. Stone et al.) Hon Daniel Webster Boston August 14th 1835 Dear Sir At a preliminary meeting of a number of Gentlemen opposed to the late proceedings of the advocates for the immediate abo- lition of slavery at the South, of which meeting the Hon Harri- son G. Otis was chairman, it was voted, that a public meeting of those citizens of Boston who do not approve of those should be called at Fanueil Hall on Friday afternoon the 21st instant at 4 O'clock, — We, were appointed to make arrangements for that meeting, and knowing the desire of the community to hear you on the very important occasion we respectfully invite you to be present, and address the Citizens. — We have the honor to be with great respect Your Obt Servants Wm. W. Stone, Dan. D. Bb-oadhead, Wm. Gray. Committee (To Mrs. Caroline Webster.) Washington Deer. 23 [1835] My Dear Wife, I have today reed yrs of Saturday, & while I write this I THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 197 presume you are returning from Plymo. I hope you had a good time, as the weather was fine. In your letter you speak of your going as being a little uncertain — but I trust you went, & was sorry to see you undecided about it. You were doubtless ex- pected, & found yourself, I dare say, well treated. The fire in N. York has excited a great deal of attention here yet I do not believe its effects are half as serious as at first sup- posed. In a month, it will cease to be talked about. I do not hear that any of our family friends have suffered much. We have nothing of interest going on here. Everybody is looking for Mr Barton's^ arrival to bring us news of our French affair. I grow more & more fearful of trouble in that quarter. Mr. Clay has lost his only remaining daughter. He is much affected by the intelligence, & has not been in the Senate since it was reed. — The President has a party tomorrow Eve' — viz card en- closed. — ^Mrs Carroll seems to think you ought to be at Wash- ington. Several persons inquired yesterday for Julia, having seen "Miss Webster's" card, about in various places. I sup- pose it is Mrs Lindslys sister. I am pretty well arranged, now, in my lodgings, & get on well — Dr. Sewall calls often, & always inquires for Mrs. Web- ster. I have not been out — have invited no company — & occupy myself with common Congress matters, & with some preparation for the Court — though in the Court, I have not a great deal to do this year, & wish I had less. No Ch. Jus is yet nominated but it is expected Mr Taney will be the man. I hope Miss Ogden was pleased with the Plymo. Celebration. Did they give her any parched corn? — Yrs ever truly D Webster (To Mrs. Caroline Webster.) Washington Deer. 28. 1835 Dear Caroline, I have reed a nice long letter from you this morning, written the day after your return from Plymo, & am happy to learn that you had so agreeable a time. I hope Sally Ogden will admit that she has had one good New England winter frolic. ' Thomas P. Barton, Secretary of Legation in France. 198 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER I hope none of you took permanent colds. Nothing has hap- pened here, of any interest, since I wrote you. The President's party, I forgot to mention. I was not present, but understand it was something quite new, & went of as you New Yorkers say, very brilliantly — There was dancing, in the East room, a sumptuous supper in the dining room, & so on. We are expecting a Comee. here from NYork, for aid. If anything passes the H of R. the Senate will readily concur, but I doubt whether Mr Cambreling & his colleagues will get along any thing of much value. Mr. Clay has not been in the Senate, since the intelligence of the loss of his daughter. It appears to have affected him very much. I enclose you a check for $350, to pay Mr Wells', & Mr Knights' bills. If it be not enough, you must use some of your own checks, & let me know. Why do you send me this bill for the Observer? — It is a paper, you know, taken at your request- — If you do not wish it to be taken longer, I do not. — Please send the bill to Mr Fletcher, & ask him to remit the 5.50, or whatever else is due, & stop the paper. I am very happy to learn by Mr Daniel Le Roy's letter which I enclose that your family suffered little by the fire. Yrs ever truly Daniel Webster (To Mrs. Caroline Webster.) Sunday, Jan. 10. '36 Dear Caroline I reed, your letter of the 5th yesterday, but today we have no mail north of N. York. Judge Story arrived last Evening, in good health, but bad spirits. He thinks the Supreme Court is gone, & I think so too ; and almost everything is gone, or seems rapidly going. We are in a state of some excitement, about the French busi- ness. The President is warm, & warlike, Mr. V. Buren more pacific ; & on the whole, there is, as we learn, a good deal of division in the Cabinet. The extensive preparations made by France alarm some of our wise ones, who heretofore have thought Genl Jackson might do anything with impunity. We shall have the message, tomorrow, or on Tuesday, Mr Barton is not yet THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 199 here, but is expected tomorrow. Mr Langdon is here. Con- gress is not at all prepared for war; but nobody knows what might be done if Genl. Jackson should sound a loud war note. As soon as we get the message and I can see what is likely to happen thereon, I shall write you on the subject of my visit home There is nothing to prevent it, but this French business. The Commodore's^ Family are all well, & send love. I dined with them yesterday. Your inquiry about Mrs Agg reminded me of my duty & I called yesterday to see her, but she was out. I have seen her only at the President's, on New Year's day. They live with Mrs Carlisle, in C. Street. I am glad, very glad, you find so much occupation, in lectures, visits, parties &c. It is your first real mixture with Boston Society. I hope you will make the most of it. Give my love to the family, & let me know what Dr. Reynolds thinks of Ed- wards' eyes. H. Thomas wrote me that Edward thought them a good deal better. — Adieu! for this day. Yrs ever -q W. (To Mrs. Caroline Webster.) Washington, Sunday Morning Jan 24. '36 Dear Caroline I wrote to Fletcher on Thursday — Yesterday & Friday, I was so much occupied in Court, & with Court Business, I had no time to write. You will see that there is a good deal of heat here. Mr. Ben- ton, & others of the Senate, have attacked the proceedings of last Session — I have felt bound to defend, or help defend the Sen- ate — this has led Mr Adams to attack us, in the House, in the most violent manner, & to bestow an especial portion of his wrath & bitterness on me. He has the instinct of those animals, which, when enraged, turn upon their keepers, & mangle those who have showed them most kindness. The members of the Mass. Dele- gation are exceedingly indignant, & most of them will tell him what they think of him, before the matter is over. He may be alluded to, also, in the Senate, but not by me. You will see the debates. ' Commodore Chauncey. 200 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER The weather is exceedingly cold & raw — I feel its effects in that thumb which gave me so much trouble, some years ago. I write this morning, not without difficulty. In other respects I am quite well. I imagine Mr. Southard, Mr Clayton & Mr Ewing may take part, in this Debate that is going on, & say something to, or abt., Mr Adams & his speech. — The House, I understand was dis- gracefully disorderly, on friday, & when Mr Adams abused me well, some of the members, I believe principally those from the State of New York, clapped him — & then the galleries hissed. — this, you will see, must have been all very decorous & proper. For a considerable of next week (I mean this week) I must be in Court. My business there now presses me rather hard. I send you a lot of invitations, that you may see what is going on. I have been to no parties I like very much the pleasure of staying at home, & sitting by the fire, thro' an evening, & never find it dull, tho' I am alone. Some day this week, I must make a dinner for the Mass. Dele- gation — They will much miss your Ladyship, from the head of the Table. It is now, I think, four days, since I had a letter from you; but the mails are so irregular, that perhaps the next may bring me three or four. Today, we have no papers from New York. — With love to you all, I am, Dr wife — Ever yrs ^^^ D. W. (To Mrs. Caroline Webster.) Washington friday— Jan. 29. [18361 Dear Carohne There is no doubt England has tendered her good offices, by way of mediation, in order to reconcile the differences between the U. S. & France. Such, it is understood, was the purpose of the despatch reed, by Mr Brodhead, & which has been communicated to our Govt. The President held a meeting of the Cabinet yes- terday, but no positive decision was had on the subject. The general opinion, today, is that the offer will not be declined, & that some how or other an adjustment will grow out of it. The hope of continued peace, at the present moment is strong. Brother Daniel LeRoy arrived here [last] Eve'. He came, I believe, with little other object than to see how things are going. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 201 I find he is very despairing about Mrs Newbold ^ He proposes to stay a few days. I should be glad to have him here, but he seems to prefer a Hotel, where he will have an opportunity of seeing more persons, & hearing more news. — Mr & Mrs C. H. Warren arrived here two days ago. They stay with Mr & Mrs Davis & at Mrs Coyle's — I have endeavored in vain to see Mrs Warren, as yet. Dr Wainwright doth not yet appear. Today, the Mass. Delegation dined with me, with some excep- tions. — It is my only effort to raise a dinner, of any magni- tude, & I doubt how we shall make out. — Mr Evans made a famous speech yesterday. I did not hear it, but it is universally praised. I understand he told Mr. A. that he had lived to become "the scorn & derision of his enemies, & an object of pity to his friends." I was in the House this morning. Mr A. was not there, they said he was probably at home, writing out his speech — or else digesting what he heard yesterday. He has more to hear yet. The weather is clear, & very cold — This morning is the cold- est I have felt this year — Adieu! Ever yrs D. Webster It is four days since I have heard from home. We do not get a mail as often as any other day. (To Mrs. Caroline Webster.) 11 CLOCK. A. M. Tuesday, Feb. 2. [1836] Dear Caroline I have just reed your letter of Friday, which has altogether re- lieved my anxiety. I hope you will not delay, for so many days, hereafter, to write to me. If you are too busy, there are Fletcher & Julia, to say nothing of Sally Ogden, who may just as well be writing to me, as sitting at the window looking at the sleighs. My cold is much better, this morning. I sent for Dr Sewall, last Eve', after writing to you, & the Dr. knew how to deal with it. I shiall go to the Senate, but not stay more than an hour. Yrs truly D Webstee (over) ' Sister of Mrs. Webster and Daniel LeRoy. 202 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER Evening Mr. Buchanan finished his speech this forenoon. It was rather beUigerent; that is, it followed the President's example, & re- counted all the wrongs of France. Nevertheless, he expressed great confidence that the mediation would result in Peace. Mr Crittenden made a very good Speech. He is for Peace. So that, on the whole, pacific sentiments prevail. (To Edw. E. Marshall.) Dear Sir, Washington Febry 6". 1836. In the year 1833 the late Chief Justice Marshall wrote two letters to Mr. Everett, now Governor of Massachusetts on the subject of Masonry, and Masonic oaths. Those letters express opinions, which the Chief Justice is known to have communicated to others, and Mr. Everett was desirous of publishing one or both of them, or so much thereof as related to the foregoing subjects. But the Chief Justice desired the letters to be con- sidered as confidential, and that no public use should be made of them. It has occurred to Mr. Everett that in consequence of the lamented death of the Chief Justice, there probably exists no longer any reason for withholding these letters from publication. Yet he feels a delicacy in consenting to give them to the public, without the permission of the representatives of the Chief Jus- tice. The fact of the existence of such letters is known, and very solicitous application is continually made to Mr. Everett for their publication. Mr. Everett has recently written to me, upon this matter, and it is in consequence of this letter, that I write you this, for the purpose of asking whether you and your brother see any objection to the publication? I may add my own wish, that the letters might be made public, since the senti- ments they express are precisely such as I hold myself. Copies of the letters are in my possession, and if you should think it necessary, in order to guide your judgments in this matter to peruse them, I will transmit them, for that purpose. I pray you to accept my sympathy, for the loss of your great and good Parent. Taught to respect him, from my earliest manhood, I have for twenty years, witnessed his judicial labors, and studied his character, with constantly increasing admiration. With much regard Yours. Danl Webstee THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 203 (To Edward Everett.) March 12" 1836, Dear Sir, I enclose you Mr. Marshall's answer to my letter, and Mr. Leigh's endorsement, which will speak for themselves. I think Mr. L. has decided right, though I could much have wished for the publication of the Chief justice's letter. How- ever, the fact of the letter will gradually get out, and by and by, the letter itself, perhaps, may properly appear. I suppose there can be no objection to my showing the letter, occasionally, to a friend. Yours D. W. (To Mrs. Caroline Webster.) Washington, Tuesday morng Feb. 9 [1836] Dear Caroline, I this morning have reed your letter of the 5th friday — which shows that the mails are regularly delivd. — I am glad to hear you are all well. It would give me much pleasure, I as- sure you, to partake of some of those little suppers, which appear so good in your letters. They are articles, of which I have seen no specimen, since I left home. Early in March, I hope to taste a potato, in Summer Street. My cold is getting better, so that I go [to] the Senate, in fair weather, but I am obliged to be very careful. I have not been to an evening party, this winter — & only once to dine, viz at Mr Van Buren's, on Saturday. It was a dinner, I presume, mainly intended for the Judges. He lives in much the same manner as when Secretary of State; perhaps not quite so well. I wished to go last Eve' to Mrs. Flander White's last Soiree, but dared not venture out. The President has another great party on Thurs- day — Mrs. Cass, as you will see has her third rout, the 18th. They say Mrs Cass must be preparing to make her husband a foreign minister. Mr & Mrs Warren are yet here. They leave on Saturday. I should not be surprised if Charles & I should give them & Mr & Mrs Davis a little dinner, in my study, on Thursday or friday. Mrs & Miss Chauncy are well, and always send their love. I 204 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER have not seen Mrs Lindsly for a month. Dr. Sewall calls some- times but not very often. I am about writing to Edward. It is now so cold, & it may be so long before winter breaks up, I am indifferent about his going to Hanover till I come home, if I should be able to come, as I expect, early in March. I see nothing to prevent me, now, as no change is likely to take place, for some time in our French affairs. We must soon hear from Mrs Newbold — ^ Truly Yrs D Webstee (From Thomas G. Pratt}) House of Delegates Annapolis Feb 24th. 1836 Hon. Daniel Webster Sir; In a debate which occurred in the House of Delegates today, your speech and the speech of Mr Binney delivered in Baltimore shortly after the removal of the Deposits from the Bank of the U. States, were assigned as the remote causes of the recent riots in that city. You were represented by Mr McLean one of the Dele- gates from the City of Baltimore, as having on that occasion, "exhorted the people of Baltimore, to redress their grievances, peaceably if they could, forcibly if they must". As no report of your speech has been made & Mr McLean having avowed himself responsible for the correctness of the language imputed to you; you will gratify your friends here, by stating whether he is cor- rect in his statement and if recollected, what was the language used by you upon that occasion. The same charge was made against Mr Binney, to whom I have addressed a communication similar to this— y^^.^ Respectfully Thos. G. Pratt. Sjr Washington Feb. 27. 1836 (To Thos. G. Pratt.) Washing! I have reed your letter of the 24th. Nothing could have sur- ' Mr. Pratt was at this time in the Maryland Senate. Later he was Gov- ernor of that State and Senator in Congress. See Webster's reply, February 27, 1836. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 206 prised me more than the representation which you say was made in the House of Delegates of my remarks, at Baltimore, after the removal of the Deposits. I uttered no such sentiment as is imputed to me, either in the words said to have been used by me, or any other words ; nor any equivalent sentiment, nor any sentiment at all resembling it. There is not the slightest ground, in anything said or insinuated by me, on that occasion, for this gross misrepresentation. I can also speak to the same effect, & with equal positiveness of Mr Binney's remarks, for I was near him, & heard every word he said. I am, Sir, respectfully. Your ob. Servant [D. Webstee.]^ (To H. Hunt.) PRrVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL. Sjj. Washington Feb. 29. 1836 I reed your letter, as Secretary of the Association of Native American citizens &c, some days ago, & have no objection [of] to the interchange of opinions, on the subject to which it refers. I am not prepared, however, to give an immediate & formal answer to your letter, as some of your questions are of great importance, & deserve to be well considered. In truth, in the part of the country in which I live, aliens are so few, that no great attention has been excited by their naturalization. I have been made acquainted however, with the shocking abuses which have been committed under the naturalization laws in New York ; abuses, which in my opinion imperatively demand correction, cither by new laws, or new modes of administration. I expect to be in New York, in ten or twelve days, & should be glad of an opportunity of seeing you. Yours with regard Dani. Webster (To Mrs. Caroline Webster.) Dear Caroline ^^^- ^- ^^^^ Sunday Morning. This is a very fine morning, which I hope you are also enjoy- ing. — It is warm, & summer like, and fills me full of the hopes ■ This is copied from the original draft of the letter sent. 206 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER of home. I shall wait only to hear that the Boat has run once. — intending to go the second trip. — My cold has melted off, & I am quite well. — Everything is very dull here. Mr. Tyler has resigned, and Mr Leigh' says he shall resign next fall. All the news I have heard this month is that Mrs. Lindsley tells me that our friend Mr Posts is inclined to make love to Harriet Webster — & that Genl M'Comb^ has written a play ; — which was performed on friday night— called Pontiac — I will tell Charles to send it to you. I am going out today with Mr Agg to dine at his cottage — I shall be glad to get a breath of air. I incline to think I shall bring Charles along, but am not cer- tain — I must stay a day or two in N. Y. as well as in Philadelphia, either going or returning, hoping to have a little business in each place. I send you a copy of Mr Clayton's Speech. It is pretty severe. Mr. Bobbin's was an excellent Speech, which I suppose will also be printed in pamphlet form — & I shall send it — I hear much of Sally's two rival beaux? — Which does she mean to smile upon? Give her my love; though I fancy I am too far off to bs ^nuch remembered at present — Ever Yrs D Webster (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Washington, Mar. 14. '36 My Dear Son, I have yours of the 10th. The difficulty in getting home is not in the Sound, but in the more Southern waters. No Boat runs yet from Baltimore — both the Chesapeake Bay & the Dela- ware river are covered with thick-ribbed ice. The weather, how- ever, is warm today, & seems to indicate rain ; so that I hope to be able to sail, in a few days. It gives me great delight to hear, that you have learned how to sit still, & read a Book. If you have really accomplished that, you have certainly made your fortune. I am sorry there is so much fault found with Govr. Everett. ' Benjamin W. Leigh, of Virginia. ' General Alexander Macomb. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 207 I am sure he means well, & acts always in good faith towards his friends. It is strange any rumours should exist of coolness be- tween him & myself — There is not the slightest foundation for them. I regret to hear of Caroline's illness. She must be careful of herself. Give her my love, & say to her that I hope to find her weU next week. I wrote y'' mother yesterday, & all the news, since occurring, is, that Wm. LeRoy, the midshipman, was here yesterday, on his way from Norfolk to N York — He is in fine health, & a fine looking young man. Yrs always, affectionately Danl Websteb, (To Mrs. Caroline Webster.) Senate, Friday Morning April 29. '36 My Dear Caroline, I reed your letter of Monday Eve this morning. Fletcher has not arrived, but I shall look for him this Evening, or tomorrow. We have had a week of mild growing weather — a rem-arkable mixture of moisture & warmth. — Today we hope to finish the land bill, if Mr Benton should not wear us all out, by an endless speech — which he threatens to do. If we finish the Bill, I think we shall adjourn to Tuesday, to give time for the officers of the Senate to take up the carpet, clean the chamber &c. for warm weather. I have some thoughts of running down the river, 25 miles, to a place of Genl Mason's where his son John lives — a great shad fishery, & return on Monday. It now looks, however, like rain ; & if that should come, I shall stay at home. I imagine you will find it necessary to establish your head- quarters in N. York at Mrs Edgars, especially as Mrs Dan'l. Le Roy appears in bad health. It will be agreeable for you to be with your father. I think you will find it pleasant [to] come to N. York sometime next week, or the early part of the week after — You will of course let me know when to write you at N. York- Commodore Chauncy had a party to dine yesterday — I did not make one — It is much pleasanter to have the afternoon to walk about, that is, all that is left of it after a short session. My 208 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER health is at present very good — but I wish I had Sorrel here. I hate to ride a hack horse, & cannot afford the expense of buy- ing one. I think I may hire one, under Tweedy's advice, for the session. — I shall of course write to you as at Boston, till I hear to the contrary — Adieu! — love to Julia — how can you get on, with so small a household — I should think you would do well to break up, as soon as you can conveniently — Yrs ever truly D Webster (To James Watson Webb}) Washington May 6, 1836. My Dear Sir, My son is quite obliged to you, for giving him a letter to your brother.^ As to the subject of your two letters, My Dear Sir, all I can say is, that I pray you to follow the course, which you think duty & honor point out. I have certainly no desire that any effort should be made for me, under circumstances which leave no hope that good would be produced by such effort. I estimate highly your assurances of continued confidence & attachment, & shall never forget the regard & kindness which you have manifested, so long & so readily. But in the present state of things, I pray you to feel fully at liberty to act for the good of the Country, and the cause, without reference to any expecta- tion, which you may suppose I have heretofore formed, & to be assured, that in so doing you will meet ray entire approbation. You probably saw my letter to the Whigs of the Massachusetts Legislature. It spoke my undisguised sentiments. I should have withdrawn from the canvass altogether, but for the state of affairs in Massachusetts, & the opinions of friends there. I could very much desire to pass an hour with you, on this & some connected subjects. Are you not to be this way? [Danl Webstee] ' New York journalist; editor of the Courier and Enquirer. He was one of the most enterprising newspaper men of his day. He had also a most credit- able military career. = Probably Henry L. Webb, of Illinois. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 209 (From Samuel Houston.) Columbia Texas 20th Nov 1836 Dear Sir, I take pleasure in presenting Genl Santa Anna, to your friendly & distinguished attention. He will visit the Capitol of the U. States, under peculiar circumstances, and tho' we have been antagonists in war, as he visits my native land, it will be matter of singular gratification for me to know, that those whom I had the honor to act with, in exalted station, have received and treated General Santa Anna, with the respect, and kindness due to his distinguished, Genius, rank and character. Whatever kindness you may find it in your power to bestow, upon the distinguished guest of the U. States, will reflect honor, upon Texas, and place myself, with others who are struggling for Liberty, under lasting obligations. It will aiFord me felicity to receive your Commands. I am with high regard Your friend & obt Servt. Sam'l Houston. (From D. Fletcher Webster.) Deteoit [Michigan] Feby 24th. 1837. My dear Father * * * I regret that you will lose the bridge case — perhaps you may be mistaken — I cannot but hope so, more especially as it may be, as you say your last case. You don't know what strange emotions I felt at learning that you really mean to resign to your seat in Congress,^ although I was prepared for it by your conversation with me just before I left, yet the knowledge that it was decided on, gave us a shock. Caro. could not refrain from tears — "She was glad of it, yet it will be so strange not to have him there — ^what will become of us all ! " I felt the same too, but I sincerely rejoice at it— I rejoice to learn that you have withdrawn from that body, now so fallen, of which in the days of its highest splendor & renown "pars maxima fuisti" with all honour to yourself & that with full capacity to enjoy & improve it, you retire to leisure which you have a thousandfold earned and for many reasons need and in the enjoyment of which • See Webster's "Works," vol. i, p. 341. 210 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER you will be blessed by the kindest wishes & regards of all honest men. — "Famam bonam, certamque domum reportas." Mother wrote me a day or two before you, of your intention. She will be very happy at the decision — We all rejoice on your account, while all regret it on their own. * * * [D. F. Webstek] (To Edward Everett.) Washington March 4" 183T. My Dear Sir — I do not think Mr. Davis has any wish to be a Judge. I would not, certainly, embarrass you, by too warm a recom- mendation of Mr. Hoar ; and feel the force of the local considera- tions, suggested by Mr. Curtis. Mr. Wells, I believe, would make an excellent judge. You must, of course, collect the gen- eral sentiment of friends, and to a great degree respect it. I regret these local feelings ; but they do exist, and have much influence. The Inauguration went off", I thought rather coldly. Yours truly D. Webstek. (From D. Fletcher Webster.) My dear Father, ^^^'^"^ [Michigan] Apr. 5, 1837. It is a long time since we heard from you, except through the papers, indeed, I ought to be content with that. We have read of your reception in New York' — I must let "expressive silence muse" my thoughts of it. I am constantly asked whether or no you mean to resign & I answer not at present.^ I hope you have not changed your ulti- mate purpose. • • ♦ The people are all very anxious to see you out here.' It would be prudent to let me know if you can when you will be ' See "Works of Daniel Webster," vol. i, p. 339. ^ See letter of Fletcher Webster to Daniel Webster, Feb. 24, 1837— note. ' Webster made a trip through the West in the summer of 1837. In his correspondence are letters from Western legislatures — Kentucky, Ohio, etc. — giving him urgent invitations to accept their hospitality. Louisville, Russell- ville, Michigan City, Detroit, Toledo, Erie, Pa., and Rochester, N. Y., sent him flattering letters to the same effect. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 211 here, that I may make arrangements for lodgings, for there won't be room to turn round from May to November. We mean to give you a good reception. Our City authorities are, alas ! all Tory, but that will not have the slightest influence. * * « Your most affectionate son Dan'l F. Webster. (To Benjamin D. Sillvman} ) Washington Jan. 29, 1838. My dear Sir I reed your letter this morning, for which I am much obliged to you. I do not know whether I can find here a copy of my speech, in 1830, on Foote's Resolutions. If I can I will send it to you. I think you would be very safe in adopting, in your House, an Anti Texas Report. As to Slavery, I think it very safe to adopt a Resolution, condemning Mr. Patton's Resolution. Whether it will be best to go farther, you who are on the spot, can best de- cide. My own opinion is, that the anti-slavery feeling is grow- ing stronger & stronger every day; & while we must be careful to countenance nothing, which violates the Constitution, or in- vades the rights of others it is our policy, in my opinion most clearly not to yield the substantial truth, for the sake of con- ciliating those whom we never can conciliate, at the expense of the loss of the friendship & support of those great masses of good men, who are interested in the anti-slavery cause. I send you enclosed a copy of a letter lately addressed by me to Mr. Peck of the H. of R. It states shortly the opinions, which I hold, & am ready to express, on the general Slavery questions. I refer you, also, to some remarks of mine, published in the Intel- ligencer, upon Mr. Clay's substitute for Mr. Calhoun's 5th Reso- lution. We begin the proceeding on the Sub Treasury Bill to-morrow. It will probably pass this House, without amendment, by 2 or 3 votes. Its fate in the other House is greatly more doubtful. The decision on the Mississippi Election is expected to day or tomorrow. The Sub Treasury Bill may, perhaps, be a good [deal] dependent on this decision. ' Mr. Silliman was a New York lawyer, at this time a member of the State Legislature. Later he rose to great prominence as a New York politician. 212 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER I will look round for a copy of my speech of 1830, & write you again in a day or two. Yrs truly Danl Webstee (To Mrs. Caroline Webster.) July 4, 1838 Wednesday Mor'g. Dear Caroline I reed yrs of Friday Eve', last night, I was glad to hear you were safe home. We are here yet, quarrelling about these ever- lasting questions, and I see no end, but the end of the session. Mr. Curtis did not come to dinner yesterday till 10 clock, altho we had invited the Commodore^ & his son, & two or three other friends to dine at 5. At ten, Mr. C, Mr. Hoffman, Mr. Jenison, & Mr. Biddle came home to dinner. The weather is intolerably warm. I never knew such a suc- cession of hot days — there is no going abroad a step, in the sun. I dare not say a word about the time of getting home, because you say I am so apt to disappoint you. I shall be sure to leave Washington as soon as I can, & to hasten home as fast as I can — but I must stay some days in N. York — how many, I do not know. But few members have left yet. I look for Col. Perkins who is away to-day. He comes here, & then goes to Wheeling — Nothing further from Fletcher — but hope to hear today. I hope you & Julia are safe & cool, down at Marshfield. Yrs ever lov'ly D. Webstee. I have a letter from Mr. White — he thinks he shall see me, here, or at N. York — but I do not depend on it. (To Mrs. Caroline Webster.) Washington July 6, 1838. Dear Caroline. I had some idea of getting away today, but my colleague utterly forbad it, on acct. of a Harbor Bill, pending in the Sen- ate. ' Commodore Chauncey. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 213 The weather has changed, at last, & today the wind is north- ward, & cool. I feel much better for it. I think my health im- proves daily. If it were not so late, & if I were not so anxious to get home, I would go to the Warrenton Sulphur Springs, for a week. But as it is, & having indispensable business in N. Y. I must go northward. Col. P returned hither last evening. He passed a week with Mr. Page's party at the Hot Springs. By yesterday's mail, too I reed the enclosed letter from Mrs. P. Nothing new here, of any interest, except that Mr. Grundy^ is appointed Atty. Genl., in place of Mr. Butler — ^to go into office Sep. 1 Mr. Curtis continues to improve, but is obliged to work a little too hard. I have heard nothing of yr. horses — if they have not arrived, I suppose you have looked up some other pair for the present. Yrs alway, truly ^=^ D. W. (From Nicholas Biddle.) Phil*. Sep^ 6, 1838 My dear Sir I stated to you last year my views in regard to Texas, and you then thought that if the plan of annexation to the U. S. could be abandoned, every consideration of feeling & interest would con- spire to make us desire its prosperity. That question is now settled. M' Jones the new minister arrived two days ago in Phil" and he is instructed to withdraw the proposal of Union. This troublesome part of the question being thus disposed of, I am much inclined to think that if their loan of five millions were taken in the United States it would be far better than if they were obliged to seek it in England. I do not however wish to mix myself with the political contests of the day ; nor to interfere in matters which have been the subjects of party warfare and I should like to have the benefit of the opinions of judicious friends before doing anything final in respect to it. Will you then say, whatever you feel at liberty to say on the questions, Whether it would not be greatly for the interest of our common country that Texas should continue independent of all foreign nations — that ' Felix Grundy, of Tennessee. 214 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER she should be protected by this country & not be permitted if pos- sible to owe her prosperity to any other aid than ours. Say too whether your opinion is that Texas can maintain its independence or whether in the last extremity this country would permit her to be conquered or reconquered, and being free whether you think a loan to her would be perfectly safe. You will readily under- stand by the strain of these remarks that I am predisposed to serve Texas because I believe I should benefit our country by it — but before taking any decisive step I should wish to have your judgment because I know that your opinion will be an impartial & a patriotic one. If any circumstance public or private indis- poses you to answer I request that you will not answer. But if you incline to speak — speak — for I think the occasion worthy of you and so speak that if when I have decided I should want the benefit of your judgment to sanction my course I may have it & use it publicly or privately. I will only add that what you say I wish you to say quickly.'' With great regard Yrs N. BiDDLE (To Henry Cowperthwaite? ) N. Y. Sep. 27. 1838 Thursday morning Parlour No. 14< is rather dreary this morning, inside & out. It has ceased to rain, but the fog is about as thick as cream. And yet the Stonington Boat was in at 7 'clock this morning, to my utter surprise. I felt concerned for you yesterday, as the day was so very bad, for a gentleman with a cold, & an inflamed throat. I hope you kept dry, & reached home safe. The "New Concern" opens today .^ I was out, to meet a con- siderable number of Gentlemen last Eve', & this was the general topic. Some said the individual Deposits, today, would be very great ; others feared that the Institution would be so annoying to the powers at Albany, that they would yet seek to embarrass it, al- though it was not easy to see how they could do so. All agreed it was an important operation, promising to be useful, & likely to produce a sensation, right & left. ' This letter is owned by Mr. C. P. Greenough. ' This letter is in the possession of the Pennsylvania Historical Society. ' See Schouler's " History of the United States," vol. iv, p. 292. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 215 I shall not get away today, on account of the weather — & if I hear anything worth telling in Wall Street, upon the go off of the new Bank of the U. S. in N. Y. will write you a line. I am acting on the presumption (I agree I am presumptuous) that when you go into the Marble House this morning, you will cause a triftin^ error to be corrected, in Mr. Andrews account. God bless you — D. Websteu (Memorandum} ) Mar. 10. [1839] I happened to hear, near the close of the Session, that Mr. Poinsett had expressed, in presence of the Pres't. an opinion favorable to sending me on the Special mission to England. I heard it intimated, also, ab't the same time, that the Presi- dent might think my notions too much inclined to a war aspect. I therefore called on Mr. P. — ^told him what I had heard, & said that I wished to say a few words to him, expressive of my opinion of the course the minister ought to pursue merely for the purpose of justifying his favorable opinion. I read to him this memorandum. He expressed himself as pleased with the suggestion, in general, and asked me for a copy; which I sent him on the 9 Mar. D. W. (A Scheme for the Settlement of the Northeastern Boundary?) [Ape. 1839] 1. That the negotiation should be opened, & conducted throughout, in the most friendly spirits, treating all the argu- ments & suggestions of the Br. negotiators with entire respect. 2. But that an immediate and final settlement of the question should be urgently proposed, upon considerations and motives, which address themselves equally to both parties. 3. That informal & friendly interviews should be sought, with the Br : Negr. & the members of Her. M's Cabinet ; which inter- ' Found among Webster's papers and owned by Edwin W. Sanborn, of New York. ' A scheme submitted by Webster to Poinsett in 1839. See " Curtis' Life of Webster," vol. ii, p. 2. It had been suggested that Webster negotiate this treaty in England. 216 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER views should be carefully used, to accomplish the following pur- poses. 1. To satisfy the English Agents & the English Govt, of the intrinsic weakness of their case, upon the orig'l question, under the Treaty of 1783. 2. To satisfy them as far as possible, that they overate the importance of this Territory to England. To suggest, that England cannot feel anxious for it, merely as so much land, since in the Provinces of New Brunswick land now is, & for many years to come must be, out of all proportion to population; and that as affording a better communication between Halifax & Canada, it is to be considered that no great communication, by land, be- tween those points can exist, under any circumstances ; or at least, not for half a century ; that England can seldom have occasion to move troops, on that route ; that if she sometimes have such an occasion, there will be no objection to it, in time of peace, al- though the U. S. should own the land ; and that, in time of war, we should prevent such a movement, if we could, whether She, or we, owned the territory. Perhaps, in this connexion, a right of passage, might be thought of, as fit to be made a Treaty Stipula- tion. I imagine however, that it is not merely a communication from Province to Province that England desires, so much as it is a general strength'g of her frontiers, by widen'g its breadth, East of the St. Lawrence, at this point, and giving compactness & continuity to her possessions. 4. To take an early opportunity, in the formal correspondence, of presenting a clear & concise, view of the merits of the original question would not be amiss, if the course of correspondence should seem to make a place for it. 5. To bring England to take her ground ; either, that she as- serts a line, conformable, as she alleges, to the Treaty, as she did before the Dutch arbitration ; or, that she insists, that the de- scription in the Treaty is so indefinite, that the boundary cannot be found, by any attempt to pursue its requisitions. 6. If she shall take the first course, & set up such a line as heretofore, then how utterly impossible it is to reconcile that line to the plain & clear demands of the Treaty. 7. If she adopt the latter branch of the Alternative, and in- sist that the Treaty line cannot be found, controvert this, by the arguments, appropriate to the case & among other things, that ridges, or heights of land, are not of infrequent use, in fixing lines, on this Continent; that the English Govt, has, in other THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 217 cases, prescribed such boundaries i that the U. S. have done the same thing, in many treaties, without practical inconvenience; ii then as an important matter of fact [then] urge the actual result of the late survey under the authority of Maine. 8. But, however the argument may stand, it is probable that England will not, gratuitously, yield her pretensions; & some- thing must be yielded by us, since the subject has actually be- come matter of negotiation. A conventional line, therefore, is to be regarded as a leading & most promising, of adjustments. With a view to this, before he leaves the country, should have an interview with the Govr. of Maine, & her Delegation in Congress. He & they should examine the map carefully, & consider the whole subject maturely, & they should be called on to say what conven- tional line Maine would approve. This interview might be had, without form, or announcement, but it would take time, & should be done as soon as convenient. If conventional line should be agreed on, in London, it should be one of the conditions of the Convention, that the Prest.'s rati- fication should be postponed here, till Maine had given her con- sent; & that her Majesty's ratification should be postponed till ratification should be made in U. S. 9. To the suggestion that this Territory cannot be (which suggestion should only be made in informal conversation) of much importance to Great Britain, her negotiators would doubt- less reply, that, if so, neither could it be of much importance to the U. S. — This would furnish a suitable opportunity to ex- plain the nature of our political Institutions, the limited author- ity of the Genl Govt, the natural tenacity with which a State clings to what it considers its rights of soil &c; & to suggest that for these & similar reasons, the desire for peace, which is really felt by the Cabinet of W. ought not to be measured precisely by what it feels itself authorized to propose, &c &c. 10. In the informal conversation which may take place, sug- gest & urge strongly the great expense, & perhaps the serious difficulty, to both Government, of preserving quiet, along the whole line of frontier, thro' another Winter, if this controversy be not settled, or some progress made in its adjustment. 11. If a Conventional line cannot be agreed on, propose a joint commission of survey. &c. of two Comms. on a side, who if they can agree, shall ascertain the Treaty line, & mark it, definitely. But this to be without an umpirage. 12. If this be not agreed, propose, that each party shall, by 218 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER itself, appoint a Commissioner of Survey, to ascertain the fact, whether the treaty line can be ascertained, or not ; that these Com- missioners shall act separately ; that they shall perform the duty, as early as possible, that each Commission report to its own Gov- ernment, & copies to be interchanged, the reports to be made by next, & the negotiation, mean while, adjourned, & transferred to Washington. I suppose however, that if this course were agreed to, the survey could not be accomplished, the ensuing summer; as the British ministry will probably be very much engaged until the close of the session of Parliament, which will probably not terminate before August ; & it may [be] doubt- ful whether, earlier than that, any thing could be agreed on. If nothing else can be done, another reference, or a joint Com- mission with an umpirage, is to be thought of. This however, to be the last resort, unless U. S. Govt, be already committed on the point. 13. Finally, that if an agreement cannot be arrived at, in some of these modes, or in some other which may be suggested, the negotiation to be broken off, with an expression of deep regret, & an intimation that the Govt, of the U. S. fully believing in the easy practical ascertainment of the Treaty Bound'ry, will cause a careful & accurate survey to be made, by a Commission of high character, appointed by itself, & acting with authority to explore the country, & following the terms of the treaty ascer- tain the Boundry under oath ; that in the spirit of amity, it will communicate the result of this survey to the British Govt, ex- pressing, at the same time, its own sense, of what the case, as it shall then be presented, shall demand. — (From Lewis Cass} ) Paris 23d June, 1839. My Dear Sir — I perceive by the papers you are in England, and I suppose you will take a good look at your fatherland before you extend your journey further. But I trust you intend to visit France, ' Lewis Cass was then the American Minister at Paris, and this is his letter to Webster in London. The letter was taken from a newspaper clipping in the possession of C. E. Bliss, of Bangor, Me. The editor has, however, seen the original in the collection of C. P. Greenough, of Boston. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 219 and I write to say that I shall be happy to see you here and con- tribute to make your residence agreeable. There is much to interest you in Paris, and I will play guide for you. I am sure you will not regret the little time which a brief tour through France will cost you. Mr. Fish, who has promised to send you this letter, is an American clergyman. I am happy to introduce him to you, for he has high qualities, moral and mental, and is the most eloquent man I ever heard in the pulpit. Mrs. Cass joins me in the tender of respectful regards to Mr. Webster, and with the hope that we shall have the pleasure of seeing him in Paris. With sincere regards I am, dear sir, truly yours. Lew Cass.^ (From Charles Sumner.) Rome, June 24, 1839. Allow me to give you joy on this occasion and to say how happy I am as an American to know that you are in England. It has happened to me to see English society quite widely and to enjoy in no moderate measure that hospitality which it under- stands so well. I can truly say that your distinguished name has gone before you, and that you will find large numbers of the best people who will be anxious to make your acquaintance." Lord Lansdowne and Holland inquire of me about you with great interest. Lord Fitzwilliam has the first volume of your speeches in his library and he told me with what pleasure he had read your discourse at Plymouth. * * * Renewing my salutations and wishing you great j»y in Europe, I am, my dear sir. Very faithfully yours, Charles Sumner. ' See Daniel Webster to S. Jaudon, dated "1839," among "Personal Finance" letters. ^ Daniel Webster to Edw. Curtis, Liverpool, June 3, 1839; Daniel Webster to I. P. Davis, London, June 24., 1839; Daniel Webster to Hiram Ketchum, London, July 23, 1839; Memorandum, London, July 30, 1839; Daniel Webster to Ticknor, Lowther Castle, Aug. 21, 1839; Daniel Webster to Mrs. Lindsley, Scotland, Sept. 6, 1839. The above letters, describing the visit to England, may be found in " Private Correspondence of Daniel Webster," vol. ii, pp. 46, SO, 58, 60, 63, 67. 220 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER (To Judge Wilkinson} ) London, July 4<, 1839. My dear Sir: , I have had the pleasure since I came to England to make the acquaintance of Mr. Sandback, of the House of Sandback, Tinne & Co. of Liverpool. These Gentlemen are connected with the Colony of Demarara and are desirous of knowing if free black labor could probably be obtained in the U. S. and be employed in that Colony. I have ventured to refer Mr. Sand(b)ack to you. He will write you at length upon the subject, and I need only add that he is a gentleman of character and reputation. I am, Dear Sir, With much regard yours Danl Webster. (Memorandum J') [London.] Wednesday, July 10. [1839] We all breakfasted at Mr. Lockhart's. Present, beside ourselves, Mrs. Rogers & the two Miss Alex- ander's. Mrs. Millman & her sister. Lord Ashley, Lord Mahon, Sir Henry Ellis & Rev. Mr. Millman, Prebend of Westminster. 2. Dined at Lord Brougham's with Lord WharnclifF Lord Stuart De Rothay. Lord Nagert. (etc) Lord Chief Justice Tin- dall. Sir Arthur Paget. Mr. Leader, M. P. F. B. Kerr, Law Com- missioner. Basil Montagu. The Atty. Genl. Baron Dashe. Mr. Eden. Mr. Shafts. In the Even'g, we all went to a concert at Prince Esterhazy's — where were assembled the general society of London. ' This letter is owned by the Hon . Geo. F. Hoar. The letter is written to the agent of the American Colonization Society, Buffalo, N. Y. ^ In Webster's handwriting. Among his papers there are several spasmodic efforts to keep a diary of his experiences abroad. The original of this is the property of Edwin W. Sanborn, of New York. During his visit Webster made the acquaintance of Coleridge, Wordsworth, H. C. Robinson, Duer, Sir Chas. Fellows, Count Montalembert and many other distinguished persons. See Curtis' Life of Webster, vol. ii, pp. 8, 89, 125. There are among Mr. Green- ough's papers letters from Thos. Hodgkin. Wm. Vaughn, W. F. Webster, J. Devereaux, J. Alexander. A. Stevenson and John Miller, eminent English- men, who wrote him invitations, etc., during this visit. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 221 (To Nathaniel (?) Coffin}) Maushfield Saturday morn'g [1840?] Dr Sir I was called from my ofBce suddenly, yesterday before I had an opportunity of saying one or two things to you. I hope you are all impressed with the importance of preparing Resolutions, for Worcester with care. It is a crisis ; & it calls loud for both decision & prudence. Can you send me a copy of Mr John Van Buren's speech, at F. Hall. Yrs D. Webstek (From D. Fletcher Webster.) Salisbury [Illinois] Mar. 16th, 1840. My dear Father * * * 2 J Yia,\e made a short trip among the Tuckers — Harrison goes pretty well, — but the ignorant & obstinate Penn- sylvanians with whom the Country abounds call the Whigs Fed- erals & join Harrison with them; and it is difficult to teach them their error in the latter respect, and injpossible to correct their dogheaded prejudices in the other — Still I think he will carry the state. We have a meeting tonight in Peru & I am to make an address. * * * ^ Your affectionate son, D. F. Webster (To Peter Harvey.) May 24, [18401. Dr Sir The salmon arrived safe, & was good, but it did not get here till Saturday, instead of Wednesday or Thursday. These trans- port cars cannot be trusted. If I try again, the box must be put into the passenger train, under the care of somebody, who can b'g it right on. When salmon gets down to 25 d's, if Mr. Appleton could get me one quite fresh, especially a Merrimac River one, & could sent it with despatch — I shou'd like it — all which you may say to him. ' This letter belongs to the Pennsylvania Hist. Soc. ° Minor family matters omitted. 222 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER We shall probably pass the Bankrupt Bill thro the Senate — voluntary only — & without including the Banks — Look out for my little speech^ in the Nat.-Int. of Wednesday. Yrs. D. Webstee Mrs. Webster sends her love. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) My Dear Son Washington May 31, 1840. I have reed your letter of the 18th of this month, & also Caro- line's, enclosi'g one to her father. I am glad to see that the Whigs are stirring, in your quarter. Your Senators, I believe are confident that the vote of the state will be given to Mr. Van Buren, but Mr. Stuart thinks otherwise. Our intelligence is en- couraging, from all quarters, & I have no doubt, or very little, at present, that Genl. Harrison will be elected. You seem to be hesitating about comi'g East. No doubt, it is a subject demandi'g due considerations. You seem also to think that you prefer Peru to any place East, except N York or Washington. I believe you can get along in N. York, but there is not a very extensive field of local practice, in Washington. It is, however, a good spot for practice in the Supreme Court, & I believe money is occasionally made by attention to claims pend'g before Congress. But for political objects, neither N. Y. or Washington is so good as Boston, or Lowell. In either of these last, you would go immediately into the State Legislature, & have a chance to show yourself. And in either of them, you would by diligence & hard labor get along. Middlesex is not full of talent, & I should esteem Lowell quite a good place, for a promising & resolute young man. Perhaps you will not find yourself ready or able to make up your mind, definitely, until I see you. Much ought to depend on what you think of the healthfulness of Peru. My property in the west will want attention from somebody, & since Ray's death I have thought of no way but of putt'g it with your man- agement. At any rate, I must see you, in the course of the sea- son, & we must settle upon someth'g. If you could send your family East, at the same or as little expense as you can send ' Refers, no doubt, to the speech in the Senate. May 18, 18t0, on the proposed amendment to the bill establishing a uniform system of bankruptcy. See Works of Daniel Webster, vol. v, p. 3. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN them, & support them, at the North, we will find a corner for them at Marshfield till autumn. I do not know the arrangement of your courts, & therefore cannot say when you yourself can best leave home. Many things depend on the result of the en- suing election. If that should go against us, I should know pretty well what to do myself, & what to recommend you to do. If it should go for us, different questions would come. I hope you will think of all these things, & write to me often. Yours affectionately Dani, Webster Is there any other place in the West, where you think you can do better than in Peru? (From D. Fletcher Webster.) My dear Father, T:e.^v, [111.] June 30th, 1840. * * * I made a pretty good speech at Rocksport and a very good one, for me, at St. Louis. * * * P. S. What can I say, my dear Father, to your letter of June 13th, in which you speak of the letter reed by Mr. Clay.? The applause was given to the son not the individual or his speaking — So it was in Missouri ; whenever I appeared to speak they cheered your name. I did my best but it would be too com- plimentary to say of me "Sequiturque patrem non passibus acquis." it was a "non sequitur" at all. D. F. W. (To Mrs. Caroline Webster.) Wilmington Thursday mor'g Oct. 1, [1840] 8 o'clock. Dear Caroline I arrived here last night, and as I intend leav'g for Baltimore this P. M. shall have no moment but this to write you a line. Mr. Bayard & family reed me with all kindness. F. is with me, at least as far as W. — My cold is a good deal better, tho' I feel sore from my effort in speaking in N. Y.-* — I shall have little to say here today, & as the weather is fine hope I shall not suffer. Yrs D. Webstee. I expect to find letters tomorrow mor'g at Washington. ' Refers probably to the speech in Wall Street, Sept. 28, 1840. See Works of Daniel Webster, vol. ii, p. 58. 224 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER (To Geo. W. Nesmith}) FuANKMN Oct. 25 [1840] Monday — My dear Sir. It is with unfeigned disappointment & grief, that I find myself unable to attend your meeting today. The state of my health absolutely confines me to my room.^ I was not only willing, but anxious, to close my efforts in the great contest now going on by an Address to the citizens of my native town & of the towns in its vicinity. But Providence has ordered it otherwise. I confess, my dear Sir, I feel an interest in the result of the election in New Hampshire, far beyond the importance of her electoral votes. Those votes, indeed, cannot aff^ect the result. The question is already substantially & fully settled. Genl. Har- rison will be elected by a maj ority never witnessed before, in any contested election for the Presidency. I have lately passed through many of the Atlantic States ; I have information from other states, as correct, perhaps, as that of any other gentle- man. — And my opinion is, that, if New Hampshire chuses to stand out and refuse her vote to Gen. Harrison, among all the old Thirteen States, that accomplished the Revolution, she wiU find but one state by her side ; and that is the state of South Carolina. Some believe that Pennsylvania may be an exception to this re- mark ; I do not think so. But, if it should turn out to be the case, it cannot possibly affect the result. And, then, look to the West, to the majorities in Indiana in Kentucky, & now the overwhelm- ing majority in Ohio. No intelligent and candid man can doubt or deny, that the whole country is going, as by one consent, for Genl. Harrison. It is not, therefore, for the cause, but for the State itself, that I feel so anxious for the result of the approach- ing election in New Hampshire. Genl. Harrison, & all his friends, have been treated, in this state, by the Administration Press, and administration orators, with more calumny, slander, & wilful & wicked falsehood, than in any other part of the Coun- try. The whole country sees this, — and cries out, "foul Shame upon such miserable detractors ! " But suppose all this should succeed, what would be the consequences? It would only be to place New Hampshire in an attitude of angry, bitter personal ' Of Salisbury, N. H. ^ See the letter of Daniel Webster to Mrs. Webster, Oct. 26, 1840, where this is further explained. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 225 opposition to the new President. It would only be, on this ac- count, to expose herself, further, to the disapprobation & re- proach of the Country. It was my intention, on this & on other topics to address my fellow citizens today. I had hoped that some of the honest farmers of the vicinity, who have hitherto supported the measures of the Administration, would do me the honor to attend. And, if any such should be present, when this letter shall be read, I pray them to pause, to reflect & to con- sider; I would ask them, what desirable object, if they could secure Mr Van Buren's reelection, they propose to themselves ! But then, that is impossible. He cannot be reelected. And, therefore, I would ask them, with still greater fervor & earnest- ness, what possible advantage they propose to the State by plac- ing it in opposition to the New Administration ! My dear Sir, I am wearied even with the effort of dictating this short letter. My best wishes will be with you; and with those eminent townsmen of yours, who are to address you today. I am distressed in not being able to hear them, and to join them, in as fervent an exhortation to the people who may be assembled, as it might be in my power to make. May Heaven prosper our State ; and enable her citizens, one and all, to see their own best interests. Yours truly Daniel Webstee (To Mrs. Caroline Webster.) Claremont, [N. H.] (8 O'clock.) Oct. 22, '40. Dear Caroline. I came here yesterday, in the rain, & found the town overflow- ing with people. There was a large meeting in the Eve' ; but it was in the church. I remain pretty well ; quite as much so, as when I left home. This mor'g I go to Hanover by way of Windsor, & to Oxford this Eve'g.^ I am now at Mr. Brighams, where I have rec'd the kindest re- ception ; & am off" in 5 minutes. Yrs truly D. Webster. ' Webster was making a campaign tour in the interest of Harrison. See his letters to Mrs. Webster, dated Oct. 26, Oct. 2T and Oct. 28, 1840. LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER (THE NEXT SENATE}) [Dec. 3. 1840.] We have seen in several of the Papers calculations of the strength of the respective parties, in the next Senate. None of these agree exactly with our own estimate. To us it appears likely that parties will stand, in that body after the third of March thus : Whigs Maine 1 Mass 2 R. 1 2 Vermont 2 Con't 2 N. York 1 N. Jersey 2 Delaware 2 Maryland 2 Virginia 2 N. Carolina 2 Georgia 1 Louisiana 1 Tories Maine 1 N. Hamp 2 N. Y 1 Pennsylvania 2 Georgia 1 Alabama 2 Louisiana 1 Arkansas 2 Missouri 2 Illinois 2 South Carolina 1 Ohio 2 Mississippi. 1 Tennessee 1 21 Mississippi 1 Tennessee 1 Kentucky 2 Indiana 2 Michigan 2 South Carolina 1 thus giv'g a majority of 10 — to the Whigs. We believe the Legislature of Tennessee does not assemble till Deer, of next year; so that after the 3rd of March — next, one seat of that State may be vacant, till the ensu'g Session of the Legislature. Mr. Williams of Maine, Mr. Wright of New York, Messrs. Buchanan & Sturgeon of Penna ; Mr Lumpkin of Georgia, Mr. Mouton of Louisiana, Mr. Walker of Mississippi, Mr. Allen & ' This paper, in Webster's own hand, was not dated, but from internal evi- dence is doubtless as given. See Niles' Register, vol. lix, p. 217. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 227 Mr. Tappan of Ohio* &, very possibly, two members from Illi- nois, will be Tory Senators sitt'g for Whig States. And it is possible, indeed that the two Alabama Gentlemen may be in the same predicament. How they will deport themselves, under these circumstances, remain. They are, we believe all of them, great sticklers for the right of instruction. To some of them, we doubt not, the benefit of inclination will be communicated, in full measure. We think of no Whig Senator who will be found opposed in sentiment, to the State he represents, unless perhaps Mr. Preston^ may come within this predicament. How this may be, we shall see, when we know how S. Carolina disposed of her electoral vote, the day before yesterday. Her other Senator, Mr. Calhoun, has been at great pains, at divers times, to "define his position." On this occasion, we take it for granted, he will assist the State to define hers as to his own position, the worthy Gentle- man may give himself no further trouble. That needs no defini- tion by him, now. His own acts, & events, have defined it quite clearly. Noth'g can be said of it, but that it is absolutely ludicrous. We should think it probable a general smile would pervade the Senate & the galleries, when he shall walk in, to take his seat. Never was there an instance, in which political crook- edness met with a more sudden & awful retribution. (To Theophilus Parsons.'^) Washington Jan. 28. 1841. My Dear Sir There can be no objection to any temperate, tho' firm, ex- pression of opinion, by our Legislature, on this Boundary ques- tion.^ Yet, it behooves us to consider what the present state of the subject is. By the treaty of Ghent, it was admitted & acknowledged, that the question of the N. E. Boundary, was a question, on which ' Reuel Williams, Silas Wright, James Buchanan, Daniel Sturgeon, Wilson Lumpkins, Alex. Mouton, Robt. J. Walker, William Allen, Benjamin Tappan, Wm. C. Preston. ^ A Boston member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Web- ster had been asked (Dec. 1, 1840) to become Secretary of State under Harrison. ' Such a resolve was approved by the Governor, March 13, 1841. See Massa- chusetts Acts and Resolves, 1839-42, p. 420. 228 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER the two Governments might not agree ; & it was stipulated, in the treaty, that in that event, the question should be made matter of arbitration, by a friendly Power. — an arbitration was had — the arbitration decided — but his decision satisfied neither party, & both rejected it. The parties, then, as it seemed, were referred back to the stipulation in the treaty, & were to try another arbi- tration. A negotiation, preparatory to such other arbitration, is now in progress between the two Governments, but has not, as yet, terminated in a Convention. This is the actual state of thi'gs. It might have been better to have avoided the necessity of this second arbitration, & to have proposed a line by compromise. In my opinion, that might well have been thought of. But no such attempt was made, on either side. The negotiation for ex- planation, arbitration, &c must go on, unless something shall occur to break it off till a convention is concluded. The real ground of complaint is the dilatoriness of the pro- ceedings, & the consequent postponement of the final adjustment. On this point, a Resolution, in proper terms, but with a firm tone, might be useful, & certainly would be proper. I do not see, therefore, on the whole, that the proposed Reso- lutions can do more, than, 1st. To express a strong sense of the right of our side of the case; & 2d 2. To complain of delay, & urge the high importance of hasten'g the negotiation to its close. I have not yet seen the Governor's message, but you will per- ceive, by what I have written, that I concur in the views which you express. We must avoid alarm'g the country with the fear of rupture, at the same time that we assert our rights finally, express proper confidence in our own Govt. — & urge the impor- tance of an early settlement of the dispute — Yrs with great regard, [D. Webster]* (From Chas. Francis Adams.) Boston, January 26, 1841 Dear Sir: A few days since Governor Davis when transmitting to the ' This copy is taken from the original draft of the letter. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 229 Legislature the resolutions of the States of Maine and Indiana upon the question of the boundary, took occasion to comment upon that subject in such a manner as to lead many members to suppose that some very formal reply was proper and ought to be made. The Message was in the first instance referred to the Joint Standing Committee on the public lands of which Mr. Kinsman and I are members, but yesterday it was taken from them on the ground that a larger and a special Committee was more suitable to the importance of the case, upon which Mr. Parsons and three others in the Senate with myself and a proportionate number of the House are placed. And Mr. Parsons insists upon making me responsible for a report. Perhaps it is as well to say that in the whole business my name has appeared without the slightest agency direct or indirect of my own. But if it should so happen that I must be responsible for the action proposed to the Legislature, it is very desirable to me that I should be informed of the opinions of those who have heretofore guided the policy of the State and who are for the future to guide that of the Nation. It is generally under- stood that the foreign affairs are to be in your hands under the next Administration. Now it is not my wish to do any act which should have the slightest effect to embarrass you in your future management of the Negotiation. Neither is it my desire to assume on the part of the State any extreme position beyond what may be contained in stating the general principle involved. In such cases, I am well aware of the importance of proceeding with caution and deliberation. And it. is for this reason alone that I have ventured to intrude upon your attention. Should you have any suggestions to make either as to the nature and extent of the report itself or as to the character of the resolutions to be proposed, it would give me pleasure to re- ceive them — and even if I should not be charged with the duty, which is not yet certain although probable, (the Committee not having been assembled as yet) I will take care that the person who does it shall have the benefit of them without loss of time. I will only add, that I have also written to my father on this subject, I am Sir, With respect, Yours, etc, etc, (Charles F. Adams) 230 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER (To C. F. Adams.) Washington, Jan. 30, 1841 My dear Sir: I have rec'd your letter of the 26th, & am happy to find that the important & delicate business of the Boundary falls into the hands of an able & discreet Committee. In answer to a letter from Mr. Parsons, I wrote him yesterday, stating my general views on the subject, & as he is with you on the Committee he will doubtless communicate the letter to you. I cannot say that I think the business is in a very promising train. The two Governments have agreed to enter into a negoti- ation, as you know, for a joint Commission, but this negotiation, so far as I can learn, makes very slow progress. It must, never- theless, go on, as a manner of settlement already agreed to, & aU due pains should be taken to hasten it. As suggested in my letter to Mr. Parsons, I see little more to be done by the Legislature at present, than to make a firm & temperate expression of its settled opinion in favor of the right of our side, & rather a warm & urgent remonstrance against all unnecessary delay in bringing this dispute to a close. I do not look for any further communication on the subject from the President at this session. When I wrote to Mr. Parsons, I had not seen Gov. Davis's message. I now find, that he has referred to the report of the British Commissioners, a paper, very bad in its spirit, & shallow & miserable in its reasoning. There can be no harm, probably, in your giving that, in a report, such a Review as it deserves; but I recommend that the direct proceedings of the Legislature, by way of Resolution, be confined to the two points above men- tioned. I am, Dear Sir,-' With much true regard, Yours Dan'l Webster (To John Davis.) Washington, Feb 10. 1841 Sir: Events being likely to take place, which will necessarily cause my retirement from the Senate, I have thought it proper that I ' This letter is owned by Charles Francis Adams. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 231 should anticipate their actual occurrence, for the purpose of en- abling the Legislature to fill the place, should such be its pleas- ure, during its present session.^ « * # (From John Tyler.) Tuesday. [1841] Dear Sir — * * * J pg^jj j^Q longer tolerate the Intelligencer as the official paper. Besides assaulting me perpetually, directly and indirectly, it refuses all defensive articles, as appears by the Madisonian of Saturday. There is a point beyond which one's patience cannot endure.^ Most truly yours, J. Tyler, (To Wm. H. Seward.) Private. Depaktment or State, Washington, March 17th 1841. My dear Sir: The President has learned, not directly, but by means of a let- ter from a friend, that you had expressed a disposition to direct a nolle prosequi in the case of the Indictment against McLeod,^ on being informed, by this Government, that the British Govern- ment had officially avowed the attack on the Caroline as an act done by its own authority. The President directs me to express his thanks for the prompti- tude with which you appear disposed to perform an act, which he supposes proper for the occasion, and which is calculated to re- lieve this Government from embarrassments and the Country from some dangers of collision with a foreign power. ' The remainder of this merely formal letter to John Davis, the Governor of Massachusetts, may be found in the Washington newspaper, the Madisonian, vol. iv. No. 63, Feb. 23, 1841. Webster entered on his duties as Secretary of State March 4, 1841. ' This letter was taken from a newspaper clipping in the possession of C. E. Bhss, of Bangor, Me. The editor has, however, seen the original in the collec- lection of C. P. Greenough. Webster was then Secretary of State. ' See Schouler's History of the United States, vol. iv, p. 397. In a letter of Seward's to Webster, dated March 22, 1841, Seward positively denied the least intention to enter a nolle prosequi in the McLeod case. 232 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER You will have seen Mr. Crittenden, whom I take this occasion to commend to your kindest regard. I have the honor to be, Very truly, Yours Danl Webstee^ (From Washington Irving.) Taebytown, April 2d, 1841. My dear Sir, I trust you will excuse the liberty I take in speaking a word in favor of a gentleman at present employed in your department. Mr. George Washington Montgomery. His father was once American consul at Barcelona and he himself passed much of his youth in Spain. I became acquainted with him in Madrid when he rendered me essential services when I was preparing the life of Columbus. I found him a fellow of most upright, honorable and reliable character; a good scholar, and well acquainted with' the modern languages. He writes Spanish correctly and ele- gantly and has published works in that language which have gained him a reputation in Spain. Mr. Forsyth who knew his merits and was acquainted with his family, gave him various employ; and at one time sent him on a confidential mission to Guatemala; of which expedition, on his return he published a very interesting account. • * * Ever my dear Sir Very respectfully & faithfully yours Washington Irving (To John Tyler.) Private. [About July 1841]. To the President. My Dear Sir I think I have learned, pretty fully, the real object & plan of open action, of these "Hunter's Lodges," "Patriotic Societies," &c which are in existence all along the Northern frontier, from IMaine to Wisconsin. 1. They are in constant correspondence with the disaffected in Canada ; & these disaffected persons come over the line, & harrangue them, in their secret meetings. ' This letter has been printed. See Daniel Webster's Works, vol. v, p. 134; also Daniel Webster's Diplomatic and Official Papers, p. 285. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 2. They do not expect to be able to invade Canada, with any hope of success, unless War breaks out between Canada Sf the United States; but they desire that event, above all things, & to br'g it about will naturally join in any vio- lence, or outbreak, if they think they can do so, with im- punity. They may even attempt violence upon McLeod, should he be discharged by the Courts, or on his way from the Prison to the place where the Court shall be sitt'g. The aggregate of the members of all these clubs is probably not less than ten thousand. Cleveland is rather their Head- quarters. 3. If war breaks out, these persons do not propose to join the forces of the United States, but to unite themselves to the dis- affected in Canada, declare the Provinces free, & set up another Government. I am told that Regimental officers are already designated, for the command of these volunteers. That such as above described is the real state of thi'gs, there can be no doubt. It is evidently full of danger, & I am quite surprised at the apparent ignorance, or supineness of the Govt, of N. Y., who represent, evidently, that there is no danger of any violence — Our duty, is, I think, in the first place, to have officers all along the frontier, in whom we have confidence, & to let them under- stand that there is danger. In the next place, it becomes us to take all possible care that no personal violence be used on McLeod. If a mob should kill him, war w'd be inevitable, in ten days. Of this there is no doubt. — I regret that the Atty Genl. did not go on, & confer with McLeod's counsel, notwithstand'g the postponement of the trial. They appear to me to be men of no great force, & who place their main reliance on b'g able to prove an alibi for their clients. But such a defence does not meet the exigency of the case, nor fulfil the duty of this Govt. I must pray your early consideration of this subject, & shall be glad of an opportunity for consideration, & for tak'g your direction — [D. Webster's]^ ' This is talcen from the original draft of the letter in Daniel Webster's hand. LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER (To Joshua A. Spencer.) Private. Washington, July 15, 1841. My Dear Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th instant. Officially, I have of course no advice to give, on the subject of further proceedings in McLeod's case. But my private opinion is clear, that the true course is to go to trial, the earliest possible opportunity. Yours with regard, Danl Webstee. (From John Tyler.) [July 20, 1841.?] Private files. I send you my Dear Sir, a draft of such a message as I am in- clined to send to the Senate — Read it — ^weigh it — and tell me your views concerning it freely fully and candidly — The cabinet without reference to the Envoy, think it a capital move, and for myself my highest aspiration is to be the maker, under Providence, of a lasting, & permanent peace — who can do this great work but yourself — Most truly Yrs J. Tylee (To Mrs. Caroline Webster.) Wednesday Eve' Aug. 4. [1841] 8 O.clock P. M. Dear Caroline I was not well when I left you, this mor'g, & had a hot time up. But after I arrived, & got cool, & dressed, I felt better, & am now pretty well. On my arrival, I Went immediately to the President's, & staid till 3 o clock — It looks lovely enough, here. We are having a fine shower, & nobody in the House but Fletcher & myself. I learned no news this mor'g — not a word said about the Bank. — The H. of R. is still in session, debatg that subject. In the Senate, nothg done but to consider the Fortification Bill. The late sitting of THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 235 the House intimates a disposition to press the Bank subject through, this week. — nothg is yet heard of the Delaware — I have met with Dr. Lindsley. He says the City is very healthy ; that Capitol Hill is a healthy place, for this season ; but that if I cou'd go into the Country, three or four miles, so as to come in & go out eve'y day, it would be better. If I feel un- well, I shall follow his advice. I pray you to see Mr. & Mrs Bates, & to give them my kindest regards. I have sent Despatches to Mr. Stevenson to go by Mr. Bates. — We miss you very much — & miss Grace also, who I hope is a good girl — & we send her six kisses — not to say that we miss Ann — George is trying to find out about my things — & to be f amUiar with the bureau — Nobody has come in this Eve' — as it rains hard ; and as the House is still sitt'g. I have been look'g over the English papers, reed today — & Fletcher is engaged with his French — If this reaches you before Miss Seaton leaves you, pray give her my remembrance & regards — If it ceases to rain, F. will go up to see her mother — Yrs affectionately always D. Webster — I have no private letters of any consequence from England — (To Mrs. Caroline Webster.) Monday Mor'g Aug. 16. 1841. Dear Caroline A week has run away, without my writ'g to you. It has been an anxious week, on acct. of the Bank Bill ; but the question is settled, & a Veto will be sent in today. I hardly know what may the consequences, but the general feeli'g is not so much irritated as it was a week ago. They may perhaps try another Bill, with modifications. Some of Mr. Clay's friends are particularly angry, & this makes it doubtful whether any thing will be done. It is feared, also, that the fate of this measure may have a bad influence on the fortunes of the Bankrupt Bill, & other measures. On the whole, we have an anxious & unhappy time, & I am some- times heart sick. I hope Congress will get away in a fortnight. 836 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER I send you the Intelligencer of this mor'g, that you may read the account of our trip to Annapolis. The President did not go, as the Senate did not adjourn over, & he was much engaged. There were very few ladies — Mrs. Crittenden, Mrs. Clark, Miss White, Miss Yeatman, &c Yesterday mor'g I rode out to Mrs. Aggs, as the day was cool and agreeable. I generally ride to the office, in the mor'g & sometimes walk home when it is not too hot. My health is good, except that my rheumatic shoulder troubles me a good deal. I have thought it best to invite the Whig members to a man party, tomorrow, in order to keep them in good temper. Charles is to buy some hams, & bread, &— no ices, & no fruits, & set them on the table down stairs — ^where people may help themselves. The House gets along, pretty well. Of course the painting inside is not yet finished, as it takes time for the paint to dry. I notice what you say about papering the rooms — You may have it arranged as you please. I will write tomorrow, say'g what day Mr. Stubbs will be in N. Y. about the carpets. He has been sick & is now out again. Fletcher may find it necessary to go to N. Y. on account of Mr. White's death — but he has not yet made up his mind, not having heard from Mr. Paige. It is Kkely that Capt. Clements will break up here, the first of next month. When I shall go, if I cannot go North by that time, I know not. If Mr. Whitewell takes the house, as is expected, I presume your thi'gs can all remain where they are. I will try to write you again tomorrow. Yrs ever D. Webster. (To Mrs. Caroline Webster.) Thursday 3| o'clock [Aug. 19 1841] Dr Wife Fletcher has written you a word, to say that Mr. Stubbs would be at Astor House, next Wednesday morn'g. I am well but most dreadfully hard worked. The Bankrupt Bill is signed — an- other attempt will probaby be made for a Bank. The Whigs appear to be in great spirits. My party went ofi' well — almost all were there. Yrs D. W. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN (To John Tyler. ^) 11 o'clock, August 20th, [1841] My Dear Sir : I am promised a copy of the paper (the bill) by twelve o'clock, or a few minutes after, and have left a messenger to bring it immediately to me. It is uncertain whether anything will be done to-day, but I understand there is a strong desire for immediate action. The alterations which I suggested were assented to at once, so far as the gentleman himself was concerned to whom the suggestions were made. I have done or said nothing as from you by your authority, or implicating you in the slightest degree. If any measure pass, you will he perfectly free to exercise your constitutional power wholly uncommitted, except so far as may be gathered from your public and official acts. I am, most truly and faithfully, yours, Daniel Webstee. (To Peter Harvey.) 3 o'clock Sept 10. [184.1] Do the Whigs of Mass think I ought to quit — or ought to stay.? * Yrs D. W. (Editorial on writing letters to the president.^) Sept. 25. 1841 It is plain enough that the ex-Secretaries* take the President at great disadvantage. They write him letters which they know he cannot answer, because the President of the U. S. cannot enter into such a corre- spondence. ' Copied from the printed letter in " Letters and Times of the Tylers," voL li, p. 85. ^ In Tyler's cabinet. * This editorial appeared in the administration paper, the Madisonian, No. 4.71, Sept. 25, 1841, and the original, in Webster's handwriting, is among Webster's papers. The inference naturally is that he wrote it. In other cases he speaks in his letters of having written editorials, * In the original this is "retiring Members." 238 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER They use weapons, therefore, which they know he cannot use. In the next place they undertake to state Cabinet conversations, which he regards as confidential, and to which he cannot refer, without violating his own sense of propriety and dignity. Having thus placed the President in a position in which he cannot defend himself, they make war upon him; and this, we suppose, will be called high-mindedness and "chivalry ! " (The ex-members' publications abbreviated}) Sept. 25 1841 We should more readily incline to suppose there might be some reason for the retirement of the four members of the late Cabinet, if they could agree on such reason among themselves. But, un- happily, they entirely differ, each has a ground of his own, & no sooner does one come forth to show his cause than another follows with a different showing. Mr. Ewing, who leads off, rejects the Veto, as ground of resig- nation, & goes out on "personal indignity." — Mr. Crittenden follows, & having no complaint to make of per- sonal indignity, he goes out on the Veto — Then comes Mr. Badger, who does not go out, on the Bank question, but because the case is one of "a measure, embraced, & then repudiated — efforts promoted, & then disowned — service rendered, and then treated with scorn and neglect " — That is to say, Mr. Badger resigned because the President trifled with his Cabinet. But now hear Mr. Bell — "Nor was it because the President thought proper to trifle with or mislead liis Cabinet, as there is but too much reason to believe he intended to do, in the affair of the late Fiscal Bank that I resigned my place. — There were other & pre-existing causes, for such a course, &c." V^at these "other & pre-existing causes" are, or were, Mr. Bell does not inform us. In regard to these, the world is yet to be enlightened. Placed in the shortest form each Gentleman, with his cause of resignation, stands thus — ' In the Madisonian, No. 471, Sept. 25, 1841, appeared this editorial, entitled "The Ex-Members' Publications Abbreviated." Among Webster's private papers the original manuscript, in Webster's hand, was found. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 239 Mr. Ewing personal indignity Mr. Crittenden Veto Mr. Badger trifling with the Cabinet. Mr. other & preexisting causes. Or the matter may be fairly represented, by stating each one of the several alledged causes, & seeing who concurred in it — In that view, the case thus — "Personal Indignity" — Assigned by Mr. Ewing ; not alledged by any body else. "Veto" — assigned by Mr. Crittenden, expressly renounced by the rest "Trifling with the Cabinet" — ^the substance of Mr. Badger's ground ; expressly repudiated by Mr. Bell, & alledged by nobody else- — • "Other & pre existing causes" ; alledged by Mr. Bell, alluded to by nobody else, & of which the world is yet in utter ignorance. We cannot suppose that these Gentlemen could have a weak aff^ectation, each to give a separate reason for himself ; and since they so entirely differ among themselves, we think the inference fair, that there was no plain, substantial cause, for breaking up the Cabinet, such as the public mind can readily understand & justify — Time will show what opinion the Country may come to ; but of one thing we feel entirely confident, & that is, that when the passions of the moment shall have passed away, the revealing of Cabinet secrets for the purpose of attacking the President, is a proceeding which will meet with general con- demnation. (From John Tyler.) My Dear Sir; Washington Oct. 11. 1841 I have pleasure in saying that the Cabinet is now full. M' Spencer M'" Wickliff'e and Judge Upshur will be here early this week — Each man will go steadily to work for the country — and its interests will alone be looked to — I congratulate you in an especial manner upon having such co-workers. I would have each member to look upon every other, in the light of a friend and brother — By encouraging such a spirit I shall best con- sult my own fame, and advance the public good — My informa- tion from all parts of the country is encouraging, and altho' we are to have a furious fire during the coming winter, yet we shall MO LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER I doubt not, speedily recover from its effects — Our cause is too plainly before us to be mistaken — We must look to the whole country and to the whole people — The letters from Stevenson and Hughes are full of interest — The swearing in the M*^. Leod case is hard against him — ^but M' Spencer's opening speech inspires me with confidence — That gotten over and you will have the honour of a final adjustment of all other difficulties — I shall truly rejoice in aU that shall advance your fame — I gave you a hint as to the possibility of acquiring Texas by treaty — I verily believe it could be done — Could the North be reconciled to it would any thing throw so bright a lustre around us? It seems to me that the great interests of the north would be incalculably advanc'd by such an acquisition — How deeply interested is the shiping interest? Slavery — I know that is the objection — ^and it would be well founded if it did not already exist — among us — ^but mj'' belief is that a rigid enforcement of the laws against the slave trade, would make in time as many free States, south, as the acquisition of Texas would add of slave states, — and then the future, (distant it might be), would present wonderful results. I shall leave here in as few days as I can for my quiet home, to meditate in peace over a scheme of finance — In whatsoever you do upon that subject, remember always my difficulty which, Ewing Bell & Co. to the contrary, have given me from the first more pain than either of them can have felt — The day for attempt at compromise has pass'd however, and we must take good care to trim well, our sails for the voyage which lies before us — The more simple the agency to be employd the better — We have no surplus nor are we likely to have for some years — and may be regarded as living "from hand to mouth" I pray you to accept the sincere assurance of my confidence and warm regard John Tyler P. S. Since writing the above the proceedings at the Syracuse convention have reached me — What a low and contemptible farce — You were right to remain in the Cabinet, quoth Fil- more <§• Co — and yet these very men united In forcing Granger to retire. I learn by a private letter that in secret session IVP. Clay was proposed for the succession and supported by Fllmore^ — ' This letter is owned by Mr. C. P. Greenough. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 241 (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Private. Makshfield, Octr. 25, 1841. My Dear Son I have reason to think that some very meddlesome people, in Portsmouth, N. Hamp. are interferi'g with the Navy Agent, at that place in regard to his selection of a Bank, for the deposit of the public funds, entrusted to him. I will be obliged to you to say to the Secretary of the Navy that Genl. Upham, the Navy Agent, is entirely trust-worthy, & discreet ; & that I should regret that any change, in the arrange- ments made by him, should be thought advisable, at least, before I shall have an opportunity of seei'g the Secretary. Yrs. ' Dan'i, Webstee (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Philadelphia Saturday, [Nov. 13, 1841]. My Dear Son, I arrived in this City yesterday P. M. & was obliged to stay over today, — I now fear I am in unexpected diflBculty, as I can- not learn of any train of cars, or boat, likely to leave tomorrow, till midnight. I do not feel well enough to make a night pas- sage; so that it is uncertain whether I can reach Washington earlier than Monday night — if possible, I should prefer goi'g directly to our own house — Let Charles meet me, at the cars — ^^^ Yrs D. W. (To John Tyler.) Nov. 25, 1841. My dear Sir, I rec'd your note last evening by Mr. Blackford.^ Mr. Semple^ has signified his wish to return to the U. States. Mr. Blackford, therefore, can be nominated to fill his place, if you so incline. You think I propose "hard conditions" as connected with this appointment. Of course, my dear Sir, I only intended to call your attention to the true state of the case. ' William M. Blackford, of Virginia. He was appointed. " James Sample, Charge d' Affaires to the Republic of Colombia. LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER In addition to the five Charges, already appointed from the South, Mr. HilUard^ expects to go to Brussells making six & Mr. Blackford's appointment will make seven. You know that these appointments are eagerly sought & that there are pressing Candidates from many states, especially the two good states of Vermont & Connecticut for neither of which have we done anything. I suppose Mr. Blackford must be provided for, but if so, other offices I think, should be distributed in other places. As to Con- suls we must remember that out of the three most desirable consul- ships a citizen of Georgia holds one — (Havannah) a citizen of Virginia another (Hanse) : & I do think it w'd give dissatisfac- tion to appoint Mr. Haggerty to the third. It would give of- fense to many who did what he did not — give time, pains & trouble to effect the Revolution of 1840. I really think it much better for the administration to have Mr. Schuyler where he is than to recall him & appoint Mr. Haggerty in his place. These things are stated for yoiu" reflection ; &, as you say "we can talk about them" hereafter Yrs faithfully Dan'l Webster (The Message.^) [Dec. 184.1] Should a quorum be found in attendance in both Houses of Congress on Monday, the Message, according to usage will be transmitted on Tuesday. Of course we know nothing of what the Message will contain ; but we know that the Chief Magistrate is actuated by a sincere desire to do his duty, & that it must therefore be his desire, & his object, to recommend such measures to Congress, as the good of the Country requires. That the message, whatever it may be, will be fiercely & coarsely attacked, there is no doubt. So reck- less has a portion of the Press become, that nothing else can be expected. Indeed the more merit the Message may have, the more sure it will be to meet assault and condemnation, in certain quarters. In proportion as it is likely to be acceptable to the ' H. W. Hilliard, of Alabama. * An editorial evidently written by Webster for the administration organ. The manuscript is in Webster's hand. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN MS Country, in that same proportion will party dog it, from the Metropolis to every point on the frontier. All this we are pre- pared to see. But it is our purpose, in this article to address ourselves to that portion of the Public Press, which is really free & independent ; and God be thanked that there is such a portion of the Public Press, & that it is increasing, every day. We appeal to this part of the Press to give the message a full insertion, a candid reading, & fair commentaries. But above all, that they publish it, that they circulate it, & that the People may have an opportunity to read & judge of it, unprejudiced and unprepossessed by condemnation of it, in advance. But it is our higher purpose, on this occasion, to appeal to the People themselves, to the great community of American Freemen, to judge the conduct of the Government, established by them- selves, with fairness & candor. It is their interests which are at stake ; it is their country, which is to be benefitted by a good, or injured by a bad administration of public affairs. They are competent to judge, & to form just opinions. We intreat them to judge for themselves. It is often said, that the Present Chief Magistrate is a President without a party. If this be so, it would seem more reasonable that all should judge of his acts, free from the malign influences of party spirit. Let him be judged by his conduct. It is usual that reports from the Departments having the prin- cipal expenditure of the public money, that is to say, the Depart- ments of War, the Navy, & the Post Office, accompany the Presi- dent's Annual Message. These reports give an account of the administration of the respective Departments, for the past year. We invite the attention of the People to these reports. Let not their length, if they should be long, deter any one from going through them, who wishes to be truly informed of the progress & present state of public affairs. They may not be so vivacious & racy, as speeches in Congress, or the commentaries of the Press. But being founded on facts, & official documents, they may be quite as useful in enabling the people to form a just opinion of the administration of the Govt. It sometimes happens, that the commentary is read, without a previous perusal of the texts; 8z there are but too many Newspaper Editors, who are disingenuous enough to write & publish harsh & violent denunciations of public papers, without publishing the papers themselves; — a degrada- tion, we believe, to which party has not fallen, in any quarter of the civilized world, except in the United States. Here again we 241 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER appeal to the Independent Press; the Daily Press, the Penny Press, the Magazines, to every Editor conducting any journal which professes to treat of public affairs, that they give the Country, the People a fair (chance). We would fain address a similar request to those members of Congress, who feel duty to the Country to be a higher obliga- tion than attachment to Party. We know there are many such, and the hour is come, as we think, for reflection & sober thought, with them all. Recent occurrences must have convinced every thinking man, that the public mind is not in a temper to second mere heated party efforts. There is a vast number of the People, of all parties, who doubt, whether party success, to which ever party it should fall, would afford assurance of relief to the suf- fering interests of society. They think that mere party power, exerted angrily on one side, & opposed angrily on the other, can never achieve that relief. They think, that the business of the Country, the industry of the Country, the currency of the Country, & the public faith & general honor & reputation of the Country, can never be restored, but by the common efforts & co- operation of sober & patriotic men of all parties. Every man must see, in the circle around him, that this is a growing sentiment, among those, T7l;o have no interest, separate from the general interest of the Community. — The administration can have no object but to advance this gen- eral interest. It desires & seeks to advance it. Without too much retrospect on the past, or anticipation of the future, it proposes to consider things as they are, & apply the best prac- ticable remedy. Let its recommendations be considered fairly & candidly. If found erroneous, let superior wisdom correct them ; but let neither the personal objects of individuals, the selfishness & recklessness of party, or the fierceness of animosities arising from the past, deprive the People of the benefits of good Govern- ment & useful administration. — If this great Country, so rich in resources, so young & vigor- ous, so full of all the means of prosperity & happiness, be suf- fered to continue in its present depressed & ruinous condition, for want of wise & provident legislation, a heavy responsibility must rest some where. The President, we doubt not, is resolved, that this responsibility shall not fall on him. At the head of a Republican Administration, seeking to conduct the Government on the true principles of Liberty, justice, prudence & Frugality, & anxious to do everything in his power to remove the causes THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 24-5 which, at the present moment, operate so injuriously upon all the great interests of the Country, he will not have it to be said that he has shrunk from any thing, which the crisis demands. (A message prepared for President Tyler on the Tarif}) [Dec. 184.1 .?] The reductions of the duties on imports, provided for by the act of Mar. 2, 1833, will all have taken place after the 30th day of June next. From that day, no duty will exist on any imported article exceeding 20 per centum, ad valorem, and the act declares that all such duties shall thereafterwards be paid in readj^ money, and shall be assessed upon the value thereof at the port where the same shall be entered, under such regulations as may be prescribed by law. The laws at present in force, laying ad valorem duties, make the cost in the foreign market the basis, on which such duties are to be calculated, making certain additions, however, to the amount of that cost. The legal effect of the Act of Mar. 2, 1833, is to repeal all these laws ; so that unless Con- gress [shall] at its present session shall prescribe regulations for assessing the duties upon a valuation at the port of entry, or pass some law modifying the last mentioned act, no ad valorem duties can be further collected. It is obvious, also, that the act of Mar. 1833 contemplates no other than ad valorem duties, in any case, whatever; because whether a specific duty, that is to say, a duty of so much per ton, or per cent, or per yard in which the amount could not always be known ; since it would depend on the cost of the article, whether a specific duty exceeded the rate of 20 per cent ad valorem, & the fluctuations of price might carry a specific duty beyond the limit of 20 per cent tomorrow, although the same duty was within the limit today. The act is peremptory, in two entire provisions ; 1st, that after June 30th all ad valorem duties shall be reduced to 20 per cent; and, second, that the duties shall be assessed on a home valuation, & it is not to be disguised that these two provisions bear to each other the nature of equivalents, or mutual considerations. It would not be contended, as the under-signed supposes, that ' This paper is in Webster's handwriting, and is indorsed in the words of the heading and dated 1842. The date, however, is probably wrong. Tyler treated this subject in his message December 7, 1841. 246 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER the Act of 1833 stands more free from the legal effect & opera- tion of subsequent acts of Congress than any other law ; yet that there are very grave reasons, doubtless, why any modification of it which is esteemed necessary, should take place by general con- sent. It was proper at a time of considerable agitation, & con- flict of opinion, & was the result of a spirit of conciliation & compromise. If experience, or a change of circumstances, shew the necessity of modifications, those modifications should be at- tempted in the full exercise of the same spirit. The maintenance of harmony & good will, & the general acquiescence & satisfaction of the people ought to be regarded as objects of great impor- tance, in the imposition of all taxes. The undersigned feels him- self bound frankly to declare his opinion to Congress, that sooner or later, the interests of all parts of the Country will be found to require some modifications of the act of 1833. In support of this opinion, the undersigned suggests, in the first place the great, if not the insurmountable difficulties of estab- lishing a home valuation at any port, without running the risk of producing such diversity, in the estimates of value, as shall not only lead to great practical inconvenience, but interfere, also, in effect, with the constitutional provisions, that duties & imposts shall be equal in all the States. In the second place, the undersigned cannot think it will ever be regarded as a wise policy, by any part of the Country, to augment the amount of revenue, if public exigencies should re- quire such augmentation, by raising duties on all articles, includ- ing those of absolute necessity, to the full extent of twenty per cent, pressing that limit, at the same time, as an absolute barrier against higher duties on all articles, even those of the merest luxury. In the third place, the undersigned feels the strongest convic- tion, that looking to the security of the revenues, & the prevention of frauds, & especially on the supposition, which he believes to be well founded, of the impracticability of a home valuation, every reason of propriety and prudence requires that duties should be made specific, wherever from the nature of the subject they can be so framed. If in political economy, any thing is to be re- garded as settled, either by the judgment of the best writers, of the practice of enlightened commercial nations, it is the useful- ness & importance of specification, & discrimination, in the impo- sition of duties of customs. Finally, the undersigned will not conceal his opinion of the THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 247 probable effect of the future operation of the act of 1833 upon the manufactures & general industry of the Country, particularly if no home valuation be established, & no equivalent found for the benefits intended by that provision. The undersigned fully acknowledges that all duties & taxes are to be laid with primary reference to revenue, & the wants of the Government; he fully admits, too, that no more revenue should ever be raised than such as is necessary for the economical admin- istration of the Govt ; but within those limits, and as incidental to the raising of such revenue as is absolutely necessary, the under- signed entertains the fullest conviction, that such discrimination may be made, & specific duties imposed in such manner, as that while no parties of the country will suiFer loss or inconvenience, a most beneficial degree of protection may be extended to the labor & industry of the Country. To produce this result, the undersigned thinks it only necessary to lay & collect duties in the usual & approved mode ; to specify, where specification is practi- cable; to discriminate, where discrimination may be useful, & to reject arbitrary limits, & the idea of a forced & unnatural uni- formity — In expressing the opinions which the undersigned has thus the honor of submitting to Congress, in his first official communica- tion to the two Houses, he has proceeded under the influence of the fuller conviction & feeling that the whole Country, is one Country ; that the interests of its several parts, are not essentially adverse, — a truth, most triumphantly established, by the fact of the unparalleled growth & prosperity of all these parts, under the care & protection of one Government ; that of all nations upon earth, the United States are, in their variety of soil, climate, pro- duction & polity, most suited to benefit one another, not only by free internal intercourse between each part, but also by the es- tablishment of uniform external relations; & that therefore a policy which shall embrace the interests of all parts is the only true policy for the Government. Slight local inconveniences may here & there be felt, under any system; but, in general, a comprehensive & well adapted policy will not fail to promote the interests of all. It is true, that such is the extent of our territory, & such the variety in our products, natural & manufactured that what would be wide-spread foreign commerce, on the Continent of Europe, becomes domestic with us, all carried on, under one general system, which gives, at the same time, uniformity to internal & external intercourse. And the 248 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER fortunate & happy experience of half a century teaches us, that this system is practicable, notwithstanding its extent, & that there is no serious opposition between the interests of the various por- tions of the Country. The opinions which the undersigned has expressed, relative to the operation of the law of Mar. 1833 & to what is required for the protection of the industry of the country are his own opinions. He has felt it his duty to lay them before Congress, frankly, under the responsibility of his official station, & the duty expressly enjoined upon him by law; & he cheerfully submits them to its consideration, since to Congress belongs the power of making such new laws, or so modifying those which may exist, as the public good shall seem in its wisdom to require. — (From Thurlow Weed.) PKIVATE. Albany, Dec. 18, 1841. Dear Sir, The President has triumphed not only over his enemies but over himself. It is a great Message. Now God grant to Congress the wisdom to act in the spirit of your Letter in the National Intelli- gencer of Agust, [six] and all wiU be well. If Greeley, who is "all honest and true" (we can sing again!) takes hold of the Madisonian, he will reflect whatever is useful and salutary from the President, the Cabinet and the Congress, to the People.^ Very truly yours, Thurlow Weed. PRIVATE. (To Edward Kent.^) Washington Deer. 21st. '41. Dear Sir I have this mor'g reed your private letter of the 15th inst. Its contents are important. I may say to you the negotiations for a Convention to settle the Boundary Question can hardly be said to have made any positive progress, since last year. ' This letter is owned by Mr. C. P. Greenough. ' The Governor of Maine. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 249 Mr. Forsythe's counter project, deliv'd in Aug. 1840, reed no answer until just before Ld.Palmerston went out of office,in Aug. 1841. It was then amen'd, & this answer has reviewed the sub- ject, & other correspondence will ere long take place between the parties. The interest of both parties undoubtedly requires a com- promise, & I have no doubt that the position which Maine has as- sumed is the only obstacle to br'g'g such compromise about. The English Govt, cannot treat with us about a compromise, unless we say we have authority to consummate what we agree to; & al- though I entertain not the slightest doubt of the just authority of this Govt, to settle this question by compromise, as well as in any other way, yet in the present position of affairs, I suppose it will not be prudent to stir, in the direction of compromise without the consent of Maine. I am very glad to learn that it is probable that your land agent will give some accurate idea of the value of the land North of the St. Johns. Suppose England should be will'g to pay for the land north of the River, & leave the question of its navigation to be settled hereafter ; or suppose she should be will'g to let our line run from the monument to the mouth of the Eel River ; & then up the St. Johns, & so through the Lakes ? I should be very glad of your thought, on these and on all other points ; but incline for the present to think with you, that perhaps the easiest mode of gett'g the parties together for a com- promise may be the creation of a commission. I hope this may be done this session of Congress. Yr truly [D. Webstee]^ (The Exchequer.^) [Jan. 1842] There appear to be clear proofs of a growing disposition in the public mind to give the Exchequer, a chance, & a trial. Many persons approve it, altogether, & among them some of acknowl- edged ability & experience; & many others, feeling that some- thing ought to be done, see no prospect of success in any other attempt. But this dispassionate tone & tendency of public sentiment ' Taken from the original unsigned draft of the letter. ' An editorial existing in manuscript in Webster's hand. 250 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER is not allowed to take its free course. Efforts are repeated, in a certain portion of the Press, to prejudice the public judgment, by renewed railing against "John Tyler." We find the following paragraphs in the New York American of Friday last. (Excerpt sealed here.) \^A virulent attack on the Exchequer 4" J. Tyler^ So barefaced a proposition to place great measures of Nation- al Legislation on mere party grounds has seldom been avowed, even if such a motive has sometimes had unacknowledged influ- ence, on the conduct of individuals. "John Tyler" — ^to use the respectful appellation of the Amer- ican, — is President of the United States. He was chosen to the second office, by the People, & came to the first, in the Constitu- tional mode of succession. But the American considers John Tyler as not of his party, nor of the party of Whigs. He has no confidence in him, & pre- sumes they have none ; and therefore he calls on them not to concur in passing such a law, as, so far as appears, he would be willing they should pass, if its provisions were to be carried into effect by one of their own party. This is the very ultraism, of party spirit. It is an open & broad avowal of that preference of party, & party objects, over Constitutional provisions, & the will of the People regularly declared, which has undermined free Institutions in other cases, & is very likely, at some day to under- mine them in others. It is noth'g to the Editor of the American that "John Tyler" is President, by the election of the People, & the provisions of the Constitution. It is nothing that the Constitution has conferred on him the same power as on other Presidents, & to be exercised under the same responsibilities. It is enough for him to know, that a measure, necessary to the public interests, might place the nomination of a dozen individuals to office, in the hands of John Tyler. On this account he opposes the measure, & is wilHng to leave the public interests to shift for themselves. If a favorite of his party could have the appointment, he would be for the measure. If his favorite candidate was President, he would not hesitate. But this not being the case, he admonishes the Whigs in Congress, not to trust to the Constitutional organization of the Government, not to leave other Departments of the Govern- ment, to their own Constitutional responsibility, & the exerciie of their own Constitutional powers ; but they, the Whigs, having THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 251 a majority in Congress, should interfere with the arrangements of the Constitution, & refuse to the Executive the exercise of powers, wliich, if he were of their party, they would gladly con- fide to him. Now what is this, but placing party considerations above the Constitution? What is it, but advising one branch of the Govt, to distrust, & resist, the ordinary exercise of its powers by another Branch.'' There is as much evidence that the President enjoys the con- fidence of the People, as that the members of Congress enjoy it. He is President, holding his place in pursuance of Constitutional provisions; they are members of Congress, by provisions of the same authority. But because he happens, as may happen, not to have their confidence, the confidence of the People shall go for nothing, & they will not trust him, with the exercise of the powers properly belonging to his office. These are the ideas of the proper duty of Departments, in a goverment, organized upon the plan of a distinct division of power, among its several branches, which the Editor of the Amer- ican entertains, & which he takes pains to urge upon his friends in Congress. For the same reason, there should be no courts ; because "John Tyler," President tho' he be, should not be trusted to nominate Judges. There should be no army, & no navy, because he could be trusted with the nomination of their officers — There should be no appropriations for the foreign service abroad ; for how can the AVhigs of Congress trust "John Tyler" to nominate foreign ministers ? — It has been supposed, that by the provisions of the Constitu- tion of the United States, the Govt, might go on, even if the various Departments should not harmonize, in regard to all polit- ical questions. — It has gone on, more than once, amidst great differences of political opinion, between different branches. Until now, party purposes have been kept within some limit; & members of one Branch have not been publicly admonished, & urged, by the public press, to pursue party ends, not only to the greatest prejudice of the public interests— to the rejection of measures admitted to be for the public good, but to the obstruc- tion & resistance of powers properly belonging to other Depart- ments ; in other words, to the general derangement of the Govern- ment, under its Constitutional organization. — So much for the theory, or principle of the objections set up by the Editor of the American to the Exchequer. — LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER Now it appears to us, that there would have been, a great deal more, both of good sense & patriotism, if the Editor of the Amer- ican had addressed his friends to the following effect. "Whigs of Congress, do your duty! If the President shall violate his, you wiU not be answerable. You constitute the Legis- lative power ; see that that power is properly exercised. See that all useful laws are passed. He holds the Executive power ; if he shall abuse it, on his head be the responsibility, & on him fall the condemnation. If you think the Plan of an Exchequer to be such, as that, if properly carried into operation, it would relieve the Country, adopt it, adopt it, at once. Adopt it, without hes- itation. Prove your own supreme devotion to the public good. Clear yourselves of consequences. A crisis, an ordeal, is at this moment, before you. The Country looks, earnestly, & anxiously, to see how you will bear yourselves in it. Follow your duty, your own duty, your peculiar duty, your constitutional duty; & if a flame should be kindled, seven times hotter than that of Nebuchad- nezzar's furnace, still, so acting, you will go through it, & who- ever else may be scorched or consumed, as for you, the smell of fire will not be on your garments." — (From Lord Ashburton.) PmVATE. The Grange 2nd Jan'y 1842. My Dear Sir, You wiU hear by this opportunity, and probably not without some surprise that I have undertaken to cross the Atlantic at this stormy season of the year as a special messenger of peace & I would not make my sudden appearance at Washington in this my new character of a diplomatist, without sending you a few lines to say that I am coming — My advanced period of life, not unac- companied by some of its infirmities, has for some time imposed upon me the duty of retirement, and I felt myself justified in declining to form part of an administration just formed by my political friends with whom I have been in habits of confidence and intimacy on public matters. Under these circumstances, it is not without some reluctance, that I have suffered myself to be persuaded that I am a person likely to be of service in the impor- tant task of setling the difference which seems to stand in the way of that which all men of sense and honesty have most at THE NATIONAL STATESMAN heart, a good and cordial state of peace and good will between our great countries — In short I am making preparations for my early departure. A Frigate is preparing for me at Portsmouth I hope to start before the month is out, and by the end of February or early in March to make my appearance at your seat of Government. I confine myself for the present simply to the communication of this fact. I hardly need add that I should not have yielded to the pressing solicitations of my friends but for the very strong impressions of the importance of the service, and that the confi- dence and full powers of my government afforded the best chance of performing it, meeting as I am sure I shall with a correspond- ing disposition with the existing enhghtened Government of America. — The principal aim and object of that part of my Hfe devoted to pubHc objects during the 35 years that I have had a seat in one or the other House of Parliament has been to impress on others the necessity of, and to promote my-self, peace and har- mony between our countries ; and although the prevailing good sense of both prevented my entertaining any serious apprehen- sions on the subject. I am one of those who have always watched with anxiety at all times any threatening circumstances, any clouds which however small may through the neglect of some or the malevolence of others end in a storm the disastrous conse- quences of which defy exaggeration — I shall be most happy, my dear Sir, to cooperate with you in this good work — since my appointment was made the Presi- dent's speech has reached us, and although it gives us a longer catalogue of differences than I could wish, I flatter myself that many if not all wiU vanish on a candid explanation and discus- sion, and I am strongly confirmed in that hope by the plain and cordial expressions by which they are accompanied. The mate- rial interest of the two countries call loudly for peace and friend- ship, but what to my mind is of infinitely greater importance I believe the moral improvement and the progressive civilization of the world depend upon it. — But I wiU not begin my first attempt at Diplomacy with over- abundant professions of which I hope I shall shortly prove the sincerity. Lady Ashburton* will not be able to accompany me. ' Alexander Barinf? (Lord Ashburton) married the daughter of William Bingham, of Philadelphia. 254 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER She would much wish once more to visit her native country but her health and domestic duties make this impossible. I am, my dear Sir, with great truth Yours sincerely ever ASHBUETON. {From Lady Ashhurton} ) Bath House Jan. 12 [1842] My Dear Mr. Webster I take great credit to myself for the discretion which has hith- erto checked my impulse to write to you, at the risk of appearing unmindful of the very gratifying proofs of your recollection, I have received on various occasions ; for in truth I had little to tell you beyond the gossip of London society at a moment when I knew your time and attention were absorbed by the most impor- tant affairs. I cannot however now resist troubling you with a few lines to say how fully we concur in your description of Mr. Everett, who is in every respect calculated to sustain the high opinion now entertained of American Statesmen, & to inculcate the regard of all those who have the advantage of knowing him — I should have made his acquaintance as a country woman, but I can now boldly urge my claim to his consideration as an acknowl- edged friend of yours — a privilege I am so apt to boast of, that it is gratifying to my vanity to have it confirmed by you — Mr. Everett's brief visit to the Grange was not made under the most cheering circumstances, for my heroic patriotism has been sadly depressed by the prospect of a long suspension of our domestic happiness, to say nothing of the great anxiety we all suffer about Lord Ashburton's health, which I fear will be sorely tried in a tedious voyage at' this inclement season — These honors were thrust upon him as the person most zealous in the cause of Amer- ica, & most sanguine as to the possibility of settling the Iqng pending differences between the two countries. God grant that his best hopes may be realized & that I may see him return with a treaty of peace in his pocket — It will go far to compensate us both for the sacrifices we are about to make. At all events pray treat him kindly, & meet his advances with the same friendly feel- ings he carries towards you, for to borrow your own significant phrase "if you dont like him, we can send you nothing better." He will embark in the warship about the 25 of this month, & ' The daughter of William Bingham, of Philadelphia. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 255 I hope he will have no diflSculty in finding a suitable House at Washington — Mr. Bates has promised to write to secure one — Had the season been more propitious I should much have Uked to accompany him, & to have seen the vast improvements which have taken place in my native country during an absence of forty years — Adieu my dear Mr. Webster & pray believe me to be your truly obliged A. H. ASHBUKTON (To John Wilson}) Washington Feb. 9, 1842 Dear Sir I have rec'd your letter of the 29th of January. While I very much lament that you do not approve of recent steps, taken here, in regard to the important subjects of currency & finance, I have no right to complain, nor would I desire you to withhold your opinions, however they may differ from mine. The state of the Country is known to us all ; we all know the failure, thus far, of all attempts at relief ; and yet, for one, I have not thought it a part of duty to give up hope, or relax all effort. I certainly concurred in the President's recommendations of the plan now before Congress ; & this you think inconsistent with former opinions of mine. On this part of your letter, I will say a word or two. Genl Jackson's proposition, so far as it was stated by him, was for a Bank, founded on the credit & revenues of the Govt, & to carry on the Common business of a Bank ; that is to say, it was to be a Bank of Loans & Discounts. Now the plan suggested by the President proposed no loans — no discounts, in the way of common Bank operations. It seeks to help the country, by furnishing exchange, as far as its means, & a due regard to safety, will allow. — and beyond this, it refrains from all loans or advances to individuals. This distinction ap- pears to me to be broad & clear. I cannot help hoping, on the whole, that you will come to the conclusion that the plan before Congress is the most likely to be useful to the Country, of any thing that can now be suggested.^ Yrs respectfully Danl Webstee. ' Addressed to General Wilson. ' This letter was written in reply to a long letter reproving Webster for in- consistency in matters of national finance. 256 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER (To Reuel Williams.^) PKIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAI,. Washington Feb. 2, 1842 Dear Sir, Recalling the conversation which passed in the Department between Mr. Evans and yourself, & me, & also the short interview which I had with you at the Presidents, I now beg leave to address you, on the important subject of those conversations. Lord Ashburton may be expected in this country by the first of March, fuUy empowered & instructed to discuss and settle definitely every subject in controversy between the United States & England. At the head of this list stands the dispute cover- ing our North Eastern Boundary, & I suppose this will be entered upon, immediately upon his arrival. You are aware that a negotiation had been going on between Mr. Forsyth and Mr. Fox, for many months, before the late change of administration. In the progress of this negotation, the parties had arrived at an agreement for a joint commission, with an ultimate reference to arbitrators, appointed by the Sover- eigns, or Heads, of other Governments, in case necessity for such arbitration should arise. On several matters of detail the parties differed, & appear to have been interchanging their respective views & opinions, projects & counter projects, without coming to a full (final) agreement down to Aug 1840. Various causes, not now necessary to be explained, have [arrested the progress of the negotiations at that time] prevented any further consider- able progress, since that period. (& no efficient progress has since been made in it. ) It seems to be [have been] understood on both sides, that one arbitration having failed, it is [was] the duty of the two parties to proceed to institute another, according to the spirit of the Treaty of Ghent, & other Treaties, and (I suppose, that) unless some new course be adopted the pending negotiation will be im- mediately pressed to its conclusion. But I think it highly probable that Lord Ashburton will come prepared to agree to a conventional line of boundary, on such terms, & conditions, & under such compensation, as may be thought just and equitable. It is the conviction of the high probability of this, (although we have no authentic information ' R. Williams was a prominent lawyer of Maine, and was a Senator from that State from 183T to 1843. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 257 to that effect) that leads the President to desire that the attention of the Government of Maine should be immediately & seriously turned to this subject, with a view of learning whether it might not be useful for that Govt, to make itself, to a certain extent, and in a certain form, party to the discussions & conclusions, which may be had between the Govt, of the United States & that of England. The Treaty for a conventional line, if one should be agreed upon, must of course be between the United States & England, & could be submitted for ratification only to the Senate of the United States. But agents or commissioners of Maine might represent her interests & wishes, in the nego- tiation, with an understanding that no exchange of Territory, or other proceedings to make a new line by agreement, would be adopted without their express assent. Their commissioners would of course correspond with their own Government, and as they would be possessed of the fullest local information, & well acquainted with the interests, sentiments, & wishes of the People of Maine, an arrangement entered into with their consent, if happily such an arrangement could be made, would be likely to give satisfaction. I pray you to have the goodness to confer on this subject with Gov. Fairfield, & other Gentlemen, & learn their opinions. You will see that time presses, as I suppose the Legislature of Maine will adjourn in a month. It was deemed of so much importance that this subject should be brought under consideration in Maine, that, with the Presi- dent's approbation, I have concluded to write to some Gentleman of High character in Maine, inviting his attendance here im- mediately, to confer upon the means proper to be adopted, & should probably have addressed myself to Chief Justice Weston. But as you are now on the spot, it has been thought better to communicate with you, in the first instance. If you & other Gentlemen should be of oiainion that it w'd be useful that a suit- able person should come here, at once, to confer with the Presi- dent, & this Department, more freely & fully than may be done by correspondence, we should be very glad to see him ; & though I have great respect for Judge Weston, founded on long ac- quaintance, yet if his engagements will not allow him to visit us, any other Gentleman will be agreeable whom Gov. Fairfield & yourself may select. It is our purpose, to put the question in the fairest manner to Maine, whether she will consent to be satisfied with a conventional 258 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER line, & all the other terms & conditions, which commissioners of her own appointment shall have approved. And it is but candid to say, that for many reasons, some of which are obvious to all, no negotiations for such a line will be opened, or entered upon, without an express previous consent on the part of Maine, to acquiesce in any line, with all its terms, conditions, & compensa- tions, which shall have been thus previously approved. I hope the Government of Maine will think favorably of what I have now suggested; since it is my opinion, that in all probability, five or six years will elapse before the line of the Treaty of 1783 can be ascertained, by proceedings under a convention for a joint- commission and an ultimate arbitration. It will be our duty, however, to press the conclusion of such convention as soon as possible, unless the Government of Maine should think it incompatible with the honor & interest of the State to concur in measures for an earlier settlement of the whole question. Allow me to hope for an early acknowledgment of the result of this communication. [Daniel Webster]^ (Trom Reuel Williams.) PUrVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL. T. c- Augusta Feb 12 1842 Dear sir Since writing to you some days ago I have endeavored to ascer- tain what may be expected from the Legislature of Maine in reference to the boundary question. The point of honor, and consistency on the part of the Legisla- ture, are in the way of arriving at what might be satisfactory to both Countries. Maine is confident of the justice & validity of her claim as advanced and insisted upon by her, & has no wish to change the Treaty line. Still I believe she would release to Great Britain such portion of the territory in controversy as the convenience of the latter may require, on an offer of other territory in exchange, or other suitable equivalent. In her view, Great Britain has interposed an unwarrantable claim to a portion of her territory, & has taken & now holds part of it by military force. To open a way to a friendy adjustment of the question, it ' This copy was taken from the original draft of the letter in Webster's hand. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 259 would seem that Great Britain should first withdraw all military occupation of the territory in controversy & then a proposition from her for an exchange of territory and equivalents would be met & carried out by Maine in a friendly spirit. Aware of the difficulties urged by the Government of Great Britain as standing in the way of her proposing a conventional line & equivalents to a party not authorized to agree to & estab- lish such a line, the members of the Legislature, as well as the Governor of Maine, as far as I can ascertain, would agree to any course which can be honorably adopted to afford the parties an opportunity of understanding the objects and views of each other, & of arriving at a settlement of the long pending question of boundary, if possible, without resort to arbitration, indicated by the last, as well as the present administration, as the only remain- ing course to be adopted. If the information proposed by the general Government would enable you to propose to the Governor of Maine, or the Legisla- ture, a specific line of boundary ; yielding to Maine territory, privileges of navigation or other benefits equivalent to the terri- tory which might be yielded to Great Britain, in lieu of the line described in the Treaty of 1783, it would be well received, & acted upon by the Legislature as the General Government might justly expect from one of its members. If that cannot be done, then I think an appeal to Maine, as indicated in your letter, would receive grave consideration & be acted upon with a strong desire to adopt the measure, if it shall be deemed consistent with the honor and just pretensions of the State. Suggestions are made by some that alltho' Great Britain has heretofore proposed to treat for a conventional line it is not known that Lord Ashburton will be so instructed, and that Maine should authorize Commissioners to consider & agree upon a con- ventional line & its terms, & then learn that no such line or terms were to be proposed by England, Maine would then be placed where no American could wish to see her placed. While I have thus given you the views of the dominant party in Maine, as fairly & fully as I can, it should not be forgotten that much will depend upon the course of the Whigs. Neither party, as such, will be inclined to encounter the united efforts of the other upon this great question. If the Whigs shall, as I think they will, sustain a reasonable proposition from the general gov- ernment for authority to settle the question upon just grounds 260 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER & with proper limitations it seems to me that the object may be attained; but I speak from appearances & not from authority. The Legislature propose to adjourn about the first of March. I am very respectfully Your obt. servt. R Williams (To Reuel Williams.) PEIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL. Washington Feb. 18, 1842 My Dear Sir Your letter of the 12th. was received yesterday. The dispo- sition which appears to animate Govr. Fairfield, & the other Gen- tlemen with whom you conferred, is such as to give hope, I think of favorable results. Nothing is more earnestly desired by the President than to terminate the Boundary controversy in a man- ner honorable, satisfactory, & useful to Maine, & to the whole Country. You remark that it is suggested by some [here mark, as quoted on page 3 "that although" &c to the words "her places"] I have no further information to give, as respects Lord Ashburton's in- structions. All we know is, that Lord Aberdeen informed Mr. Everett that Lord Ashburton would be clothed with full power to discuss, & definitely settle, all questions pending between the two governments. I have no doubt, whatever, that his instructions will give him the fullest authority to agree on a conventional line. But if Govr. Fairfield & other Gentlemen think that more positive assur- ance on that point is necessary, before any step be taken by Maine, then of course nothing can be done before the Minister's arrival. It may be proper to take this view of the subject, & it would not become me to make any obj ections ; altho' for my own part, I should have preferred that a different view might have been taken. I regret that Govr. Fairfield & his friends should be of opinion that any points of honor & consistency, on the part of the Legis- lature are in the wav of arriving at what might be satisfactory to both Countries. It is true that Maine is confident of the justice & validity of her claim, & certainly I think this a well founded confidence. But it is equally true that England has evinced, on her side, no less confidence. Maine thinks that England has in- THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 261 terposed an insurmountable claim to a portion of her Territory, & the Govt, of the U. States thinks that Maine in that opinion, is entirely right; but England asserts, on the other side, that the U. S. & Maine have interposed an insurmountable claim to a por- tion of her Territory ; and these conflicting opinions & assertions of right must be, in some way settled & adjusted. It is true that England occupies or protects a part of the disputed Territory by armed force, but it is equally true that the United States occupj' & protect another part by an armed force also, and this last force was placed in position, at the request of the Govt, of Maine. In- deed if I remember correctly, Maine assented, in the year 1839, that the question of possession should remain as it then stood; that is, that Great Britain should hold one part, Maine not ac- knowledging her right, & that Maine should hold another part, England not acknowledging her right. The spirit & general principle of this understanding between Maine & the Govt, of New Brunswick has governed the conduct of the Govt, of the United States, in all subsequent measures respecting the posses- sion of the disputed territory; the principal alteration, that of substituting U. S. troops for the posse of Maine having been adopted, as I have already said, at the request of Maine. I make this remark. My Dear Sir, with no other view than that of ex- pressing the hope, that on more reflection, & upon full considera- tion of all the circumstances, the Govt, of Maine may not find any obstacle founded on considerations of honor & consistency from concurring, in the manner suggested in my letter, in a proceed- ing, having in view the establishment of a conventional line, if the British Minister should in fact bring with him proper au- thority for such a purpose.'' I am, My Dear Sir, with true regard, Yours obedient servant, ^^^ D. W. (To Samuel Rush et al.) Washington Feb. 19, 1842. Gentlemen : It would give me much pleasure to join you, in your proposed commemoration of the Birth Day of Washington, but public duties deprive me of that satisfaction. Every revolving year evinces, more & more clearly, the wisdom, ' This copy is taken from the draft of letter sent. 262 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER & virtue, & patriotism of that illustrious man, and instead of offering you any sentiments of my own, to be announced at your celebration, will you allow me to transcribe a paragraph from his Farewell Address. (Here copy as marked, pp. 57, 58.)^ There is no one of these sentiments, Gentlemen, which does not enter into my conviction, & sink deep in my heart. They have constituted & so long as I live, will constitute, the principle of my political conduct, whether in public or private life. If we can maintain these sentiments, if we can keep their lodgment high, , secure, & unshaken in the affections of the American People, we need not fear that patriotism & good counsels will lift the Coun- try triumphantly out of all difficulties, & carry it ever on in its bright career of prosperity & renown. But if these sentiments shall be abandoned, we may be assured that there will come con- sequences, amidst which I know not on what plank Patriotism itself may hope to stand, for its last effort, or how the voice of the wisest commander may expect to be heard, above the howling of the storm. Your invitation intimates Gentlemen, that the company will be composed of the Friends of President Tylers Administration. Of that Administration, its character, its purposes, or its pros- pect of success, it may become me to say little. In the events which have happened, & amidst the circumstances which surround it. It asks one thing from the American People ; & that is, a fair trial. If they will protect it against the effects of unjust denun- ciations in advance, & judge of its merits or demerits, as they may be disclosed in the sequel, it will have no right to complain, & so far as I am concerned, will not complain of the final judgment of the Country. Let it be judged by its measures ; by the degree of care it shall manifest to maintain the honor & interests of the United States in their Foreign Relations ; by the disposition it shall evince towards a reasonable provisions for public defense, on the land & on the water; by its recommendations on the great subjects of revenue & finance ; by its cooperation in all practicable means of retrench- ment & reform; by its impartial regard to all interests, & all parts, of the Country ; and, above all, by its remembrance, or its forgetfulness, of the solemn admonition of Him, whose now glori- ous name & services you commemorate, that the main pillar of our ' Webster's instruction to his amanuensis. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 263 Independence, Prosperity, & Happiness will ever be found to be that "Unity of Government, which constitutes us one Peo- ple." 1 I am, Gentlemen, Your obliged friend & fellow citizen [D. Webstee] (To Pearce 4- Bullock.) Washington 11th. March, 1842. Gentlemen I have reed your letter of the 8th of this month, & read its contents with great interest. I shall take occasion to have parts of it published, without your names, that the facts which it men- tions may get before the public. I do not know what views on the whole subject of our reciproc- ity treaties may be now entertained, or hereafter adopted, by our Branch of the Government of the United States. But writing as a friend in confidence I may say to you that I have looked at the operation of these treaties, with extreme concern for the last three or four years.^ Yours very respectfully, ^^^ D. W. (From Joseph Story.) Cambridge March 26, 1842. Dear Sir, Accidental circumstances have prevented me from before an- swering your letter of the 17th instant. I now do it with great pleasure. The first part of your Inquiry is whether the Law of Nations does not make a difference between the case of ordinary fugitives from justice and the case of persons committing offences upon the high seas. I am not aware that any such distinction has ever been made theoretically or even practically, except so far as Piracy (which I will presently consider) may be supposed to con- stitute an exception. Offences committed on the high seas are exclusively cognisable by the Courts of the Nations, to which the ships on board of which they have been committed, belong. Such ' This letter is taken from Webster's draft of letter sent. ^ Taken from Daniel Webster's original manuscript. 264 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER ships are treated as being subject to the municipal laws of their own country, and to none others. No other nation has any right, or duty to take cognisance of, or to punish such offences. And on this account, as the offences are merely municipal, no distinc- tion has been taken between fugitives from justice, violating mu- nicipal laws, on the ocean, and those violating those laws on land. This case was a good deal considered in the case of U. S. v. Palmer (3 Wheat. R. 610) and U. S. v Klintok (5 Wheat. R. 144) and U. S. v. Furlong (5 Wheat. R. 184) But wherever the Crew of a Ship of any nation have usurped the command thereof, and assumed the character of pirates, there, the general rule has been that all nations may take cognizance of, and punish their subsequent piratical acts ; for the ship has then lost her national character. This was expressly held in U. S. v. Klintok (5 Wheat. R. 610) U. S. v. Smith (5 Wheat. R. 154) and U. S. v. Furlong & als. (5 Wheat. R. 144) and U. S. v. Holmes (5 Wheat. R. 412). It has, therefore, become a com- mon practice for all nations to take cognizance of and to punish piratical offences, although committed on board of Ships, which originally belonged to another foreign nation, the Ship having by force, or usurpation lost her national character. But although every nation is deemed thus at liberty to punish piracy, whenever the pirates are brought within its own domin- ions, it is by no means uncommon for a nation, under such circum- stances, to remit the offenders for trial to the Country to which the Ship belonged. This, however, has always been understood to be a matter of comity and discretion, and not of national duty. Several cases have occurred in the Circuit Court, in my circuit, where this has taken place. Thus in the case of U. States v. TuUy ; the Prisoners were arrested in St. Lucia, and sent to the U. States and were there tried and convicted. The case of U. S. V. Ross was a case where a South American Govt. ( I forget which one) sent home the offenders for trial. But the most striking case was that of U. S. v. Gibert 2nd Sumner R. 20, where the British Government ordered the Spanish Pirates, who plundered the Brig Mexican, of Salem, to be sent to Boston for trial and they were accordingly sent and tried and convicted. The of- fenders were originally arrested by British Officers in Africa, and were sent to England, and then were by order of the British, sent here, and a British officer as a witness accompanied them. See 2 Sumner R. 24 note. This was understood at the time to be, not a matter of dutj', but a matter of discretion and comity. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 265 Your second question is, as to what cases I recollect as to send- ing persons of the last description (that is, offenders on the high seas) home for trial, and particularly what I remember of the case of the Plattsburg. I have already stated several cases in my Circuit ; and I believe more have occurred ; and in cases of municipal offenders, I have a strong impression that American Seamen have been often sent home who have committed crimes of a malignant character ; such as murder, revolt, and manslaughter. But I cannot recall the particular cases. A search in the Clerk's office of the Circuit Court in Boston, would, I doubt not, present many such. I doubt not that many cases have occurred in other Districts, especially in New York. In respect to the case of the Plattsburg, I suppose • you refer to that case, as it came before the Supreme Court, and is reported in 10th. Wheaton R. 133. You will there find aU the facts stated at large. If there be any other case of the Platts- burg involving other facts, it has not as yet occurred to my memory. The real question, however, in the Creole Case is not a ques- tion as to the delivering up of fugitives from Justice, as of prop- erty, and property coming by the vis major and involuntarily into a foreign port. Suppose the case had been one of Ship- wreck, and the Cargo had been ordinary goods, no one could well doubt that in the present state of civilization every nation would feel itself bound by the general doctrines of comity and humanity and justice to protect and restore such property and to give a right of reclaiming it from wrong doers. The question then is reduced to this, whether there is a sound distinction between that case, and the case of Slaves, who are property and held as prop- erty by their owners in America, and are by the vis major, or by shipwreck found in a foreign port. It is certainly true, that no nation held itself bound to recognise the state or the rights of slavery, which are recognised and allowed by any other Country. And if slaves come voluntarily into a Country with the consent of their masters, they are deemed free. The only point left of my argument seems to be, whether the like privilege applies, where they are in such Country by the vis major, or by shipwreck. I have always inclined to think this must be deemed matter of com- ity, which a nation was at liberty to concede or refuse, and not a right of another nation to claim or enforce as strictly arising under the Law of nations. Could an action be maintainable in a Court of Justice to enforce a right to Slave property in New 266 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER England or any other non slaveholding State in a case not covered by the Constitution, or by a Treaty? The argument, ab incon- venienti, may be addressed with great force to Great Britain on this subject; but it strikes me to furnish a ground for mutual Treaty Stipulations as to slave property and the slave trade, fit to be pressed, in negotiations, although difiicult to support as a positive public right independant of Treaty. See the Amistad 15 Peters. A, and the Penna Slave Case in Supreme Court last term. Believe me most truly, yours. Joseph Story. Private (To Edward EvereU.(?) Washington Mar 30" 1842 10 P. M. My Dear Sir, I have only time to say that your despatches, to the 3rd, were rec'd this evening, and have been glanced at, but not read. Lord Ashburton as yet is to be heard from ; but he is not out of time, according to other passages recently made from your side to ours. Mr. Clark's house is taken for him, and is in readiness. We have some excitement here at this moment from the new attempt of Mexico to reduce Texas. The want of all due prep- aration on the part of Texas, renders it possible that the Mexican troops may overrun the Country; but I have no belief they can hold it. There is also a good deal of feeling in the United States, about the manner in which certain citizens of ours, who say thej' are non-combatant followers of the Texan expedition to Santa Fe, have been treated by the Mexican authorities. I hope, how- ever, we may be able to keep the peace. Congress is doing nothing, at least, no good thing. Endless debate, and personal quarrels are the order of the day. The foreign relations of the Country are ticklish enough; but our domestic condition is terrible. We are now enjoying the rich fruits of the Compromise Act of March 1833. Almost the only symptom of returning sense among us is found in the very gen- eral idea now prevalent, that there is no course left but to lay duties in the old way, discriminating and specific, abandoning all notions of universal horizontalization in such things. Mrs. W. desires her best regards ; and I am obliged to place this THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 267 at once into the hands of Charles Brown or lose the chance by the Boston Boat. Yours, D. Webster. (From Joseph Story.) My dear Sir, Cambridge April 19, 1842 I have been very busy with cases in bankruptcy and other matters or I should have answered your last letter before this time. I now send a sketch of three articles of a Treaty upon three of the critical points, to which you have directed my atten- tion — (1) fugitives from Justice — (2) vessels with slaves going into British ports by stress of weather &c. (3) Acts done under Government orders like McLeod's case &c. As to the first I have taken the 17th Article of Jay's Treaty of 1794, as my main guide, as far as it goes. But it stops short of pointing out how the surrender is to be accomplished, (as I think it should be) through the judicial power, which gave rise to the senseless popular clamours in Jonathan Robinson's case. I have added the proper provision. As to the second, I have drawn it up with considerable fullness, and directness meaning to meet the difficulty in language calm and yet clear ; with the proper grounds as to the right of exami- nation into the character of the persons on board, whether prop- erly held as slaves or not, to prevent public odium and clamour. As to the third I can only say, that considering the importance to our national peace and Security, it is more properly a matter for treaty stipulation, than for an act of Congress. I hope therefore it may be adopted. The first part of the clause is vital to its just operation by excluding the judicial action where the act is clearly authorized by the Sovereign. This will cut up the difficulty by the root. If I had more time I would probably have given more finish to the phraseology; but you can easily amend and alter it. I am sure the provisions are in substance right and will reach the evils. In the article about fugitives from Justice I have put in the crimes only, which most usually occur, and will be likely to call for the interposition of the Government for extradition. If you think it too broad, you can strike out any part of the enumera- 268 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER tion, you may think best. I have purposely excluded political offences, as involving very debatable matters not to say also, that they might hazard the ratification by our Senate from popular clamours. I am very anxious to have all our difficulties with Great Britain settled for I love peace, and I wish well to G. B. as well as to my own Country; and I have not the slightest doubt, that all matters may, if met in the right spirit be settled honourably for the interests and permanent peace of both Countries. I will therefore, hold myself ready at all times to aid your efforts, when- ever you may think I can be of any real use in accomplishing so desirable an end. In my judgment we ought to accede to the Treaty of the five Powers as to the search of Slave vessels and to suppress the Slave Trade. That Treaty is exceedingly well drawn, and most care- fully weighed. We might do so by a single article, merely re- ferring, as to the modus operandi, to the provisions of that Treaty, and agreeing to have them regulate our article as far as they are applicable. I confess that I despair of Congress ; and I believe this is be- coming a very pervading feeling among all our intelligent men. If we are to be saved at all, it must be by different counsels ; and by the Executive taking, as to our foreign affairs, a bold and firm ground, but conciliatory. I regret, that our Ministers, Cass and Wheaton, should inter- meddle with these matters uncalled for. They have a tendency to embarrass our negotiations; and I am surprised that they should write without orders, and thus inflame, if not misdirect the public mind. I have seen Cass's pamphlet, but not Wheaton's. Cass's pamphlet is calculated to do much mischief here as well as in France. Believe me most truly Your's Joseph Story PRIVATE (To Edward Everett.) Washington, D. C. 28" April, 1842. My Dear Sir, There is one fact of very considerable importance which I omitted to mention in my last private letter bearing upon the convenience or inconvenience of ceding to us the strip of land THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 269 west of St. Johns; and that is, that the British authorities are constructing a road from Fredericton directly across the country to the Great Falls of the St. Johns ; so that for communication between New Brunswick and Canada, there will be no occasion to cross the river nor indeed to come near it below those Falls. Please explain this to Lord Aberdeen. Yours always Danl Webstee. (To Waddy Thomson}) PEIVATE. Washington June 27, 1842. Dear Sir, That part of your despatch No. 1 relative to California, & your private letter to the President of the 9th of May have been considered. There is no doubt that the acquisition of so good a port on the Pacific as St. Francisco is a subject well deserving of consideration. It would be useful to the numerous Whale Ships & trading vessels of the United States, which navigate the Pacific, & along the Western Coast of America. It would in time probably become a place of considerable trade, having a good country around it, but colonization & settlement could not be expected to advance in that region, with the same spirit and celerity, as have been experienced on the Northern Atlantic Coast. In seeking acquisitions, to be governed as Territories, & lying at a great distance from the United States, we ought to be governed by our prudence & caution ; & a still higher degree of these quali- ties should be exercised when large Territorial acquisitions are looked for, with a view to annexation. Nevertheless, the benefits of the possession of a good Harbour on the pacific is so obvious, that to that extent, at least, the President strongly inclines to favor the idea of treaty with Mexico. The claims of citizens of the United States against the Mexican Government are large. The amount of those already awarded, as you will see by another communication by this conveyance, is upwards of two millions of dollars ; another large amt. failed of being awarded, as is sup- posed, only because the umpire did not feel authorized to act upon them, after the expiration of the time limited for the dura- tion of the Commission. There are still other classes of claims, ' Thomson was appointed Minister Plenipotentiary to Mexico in 1842. From 1835 to 1841 he represented South Carolina in Congress. 270 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER of various descriptions, but amounting in the whole to a large aggregate. You are at liberty to sound the Mexican Govt, upon the subject of a cession of the Territory upon the Pacific, in satisfaction of these claims, or some of them. Although it is desirable that you should preserve the Port & Harbor of St. Francisco as the prominent object to be attained, yet, if a cession should be made, St. Francisco would naturally accompany the Port. It may be useful, however, for divers reasons, that the benefit & convenience of the Port itself should, at least for the present, be spoken of, as that is chiefly desired by the United States. I do not think that England has any present purpose of obtaining that important place, or would interpose any ob- stacles to the acquisition of it by the United States. What may be the wishes of France, in this respect, I cannot say. You will please proceed in this matter very cautiously, & quite informally ; seeking rather to lead the Mexican Secretary to talk on the subject, than to lead directly to it yourself. You will be par- ticularly careful not to suffer the Mexican Govt, to suppose that it is an object upon which we have set our hearts, or for the sake of which we should be willing to make large remuneration. The cession must be spoken of, rather as a convenience to Mexico, or a mode of discharging her debts. By no means give countenance to any extravagant expectations, content yourself with sounding the Government, endeavor to hear, more than you say, to learn more than you communicate ; & apprise us promptly & frequently, of all that may occur on the subject. Your project of visiting California this season can hardly be realized, as it is likely that your presence will be required at your post.* I am, Dear Sir, with much true regard, Yrs. [D. W.] (To John Davis, f ) PKIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL. Washington, Jul. 15, 1842 Dear Sir, I enclose herewith the copy of a letter addressed by me, on the 2nd instant, to Mr Williams, one of the Senators of Maine, now ' This copy is taken from Webster's draft of the letter. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 271 on a visit to his own residence in Augusta, & to which I beg leave to call your attention. In the settlement of the Boundary Question, Massachusetts has an interest, as well as Maine, inasmuch as a moiety of the public lands lying in the latter state belong to her. The right of terri- torial Sovereignty, however, is exclusively in Maine; & it is this consideration, I presume, which has caused something more of excitement & concern in the question to be experienced in the one State than in the other. But the interest of Massachusetts is not to be overlooked ; & it is for that reason, that I now address you. You wiU see the suggestion, which I have made thro' Mr Williams to the Gov. of Maine, & I now submit the same proposition to the Consideration of the Govt, of Massachusetts. If a conventional line be agreed upon, as very probably may be upon conditions, which, while perhaps generally useful to the whole Country, & highly important to Maine, may be of less posi- tive advantage to Massachusetts. That this may be so, you will readily perceive. And yet, I suppose, that Massachusetts, anx- ious for the settlement of so distressing a question, & finding her own interests reasonably provided for, would not interpose any objection, founded on narrow considerations. Under these general views, I submit to you the propriety of considering the proposition which I have communicated to His Excellency, Gov. Fairfield, as a proposition which may be, also, to be acted on by the Govt, of Massachusetts. I entertain no doubt, whatever, that Lord Ashburton will bring with him full power to settle the Boundary Question by agreeing on a con- ventional line. He may be expected here, according to my in- formation, in less than a month. As yet, I have no answer from Mr. Williams, further than that he has reed my letter, has shown it to Gov. Fairfield, & other Gentlemen, & that he will write me again soon. I shall communicate to you, in confidence, all I learn, and as soon as I hear it, from that quarter. It may, per- haps, be as well for. Maine to take the lead, if anything is to be done; (tho' of that you will consider) and if the Govt, of Maine should think favorably of the suggestion, & act upon it, the Govt, of Massachusetts will decide whether it will adopt a similar course. I should be glad to hear from you, at your earliest conven- ience; am with the most sincere regard, [D. Webster]^ ' This letter is taken from the original draft in Mr. Webster's hand. 272 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER (From lioac C. Bates.) July 19. 1842 * * * [He acknowedges Webster's letter of the IG**"] "You agree with me in opinion, that the proceeds of the public lands ought to be distributed among the states. This you know is the opinion of Massachusetts." i * * ♦ (To .; Private Saturday Moening July 30. [1842] My dear Sir, I feel exceedingly mortified at feeling obliged to call your at- tention to a very extraordinary paragraph in the Madisonian of this morning. How it is possible, at a moment when we have points of so much importance pending with the British Minister that a paper sup- posed to enjoy your confidence should publish respecting him such horrible Ubels. I am mortified to death. Yrs truly ^^^ D. W. (From Lord Ashburton.) private Sunday 31 July 1842. My Dear Mr. Webster. Using the words of Walter Scott when he sent one of his works to his publisher — I send you my Creole — D — n her. — I leave her in my original sheets to save time, believing that you can read my scrawl. — Pray see if you think I could mend this case with a view to conciliation. I have treated it quite fairly for I really believe it would be best settled in London. — I also believe something satisfactory may & should be there set- tled. Would it be well to leave extradition to be settled at the same time? The questions are more or less connected. I have no objection to either course. I congratulate you on the return of ' This is an excerpt from a letter owned by Mr. Greenough (in folio Mass. i, a-b). THE NATIONAL STATESMAN, 273 breathing weather. I really believe that if yesterday's had con- tinued I should not have lived to sign any treaty with you, which is now the great object, as it is likely to be the fifth act of my life. Ever, my Dear Sir, Yours Truly AsHBuaxoN, (From John Tyler.) August 1. [1842] Dr Sir I have read your letter on impressment with great interest and pleasure. It occurred to me that it would be proper to press the principle, so as to settle the matter as well on land as at sea — hence the view is somewhat enlarg'd — You will remember the case alluded to of prisoners captured in Canada — While this doctrine of perpetual allegiance exists the naturalized citizen goes into the service with fear and trembling — and I have thought that it would be well to extend the argument so as to embrace the case stated. You will do with it as you please. Your paper is plain in its proposition and conclusive in its rea- soning. It is a question on which this govt, can hold no other language. Yrs truly J. Tylee (To Fletcher Webster.) Aug. 5, 1842 Dear F. I reed this morning yours of the 3rd, & in the enclosed have said to the President what occured to me, in relation to the two remarks which he speaks of. I cannot answer the Portugeese Minister till I receive. 1st. The Treaty with Portugal; 2. The Tariff ; both of which please send me immediately. I shall endeavor to answer your communication & return the papers promptly, to prevent accumulation. Letters marked pri- vate, Mr. H. Derrick will know what to do with, & the rest you can dispose of. 274 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER Your mother came to town with me last evening, & will depart tomorrow P. M. Yrs D. W. The weather has been adverse, & I do not believe the Warships have yet got to Sea : (From John Tyler.) Aug. 8, 1842. Dear Sir; I have delayed sending in this paper to day from a desire that you should look over it before it went — The other gentlemen saw its outline on Saturday when I deeply regretted your ab- sence Suggest if they occur to you, any amendments on a sepa- rate paper. How deeply do I regret that I cannot have your full concur- rence in this proceedure.^ But a Clay Congress can only be met in the way proposed — nor can the independence of the Executive or good of the country be otherwise advanced. If you could return it to me immediately after reading and suggesting changes, it would enable me to have it copied and off of hand this Evening. Most truly yours John Tyler Confidential (To John Tyler.^) Aug. 8th. 6 o'clock. [1842] My dear Sir; I have gone over your paper, twice & must say, that if the thing must be done, you have given the best reasons for it. But I must still say, my dear sir, that in the present awful state of the Country, amidst these violent factions looking to consequences likely to spring up in every quarter I would give almost my right hand if you could be persuaded to sign the bill. At the same time it is my opinion that the conduct of Con- gress in uniting these two subjects is wholly indefensible. ' This letter refers to the veto of " An Act to provide revenue from imports, and to change and modify existing laws imposing duties on imports and for other purposes." ** This is taken from Webster's draft, which he kept as a duplicate. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 275 What you state in the first & third head of your reasons, is most just & most important. I feel the force of your remarks on this part of the case & am willing to give you every assurance of my entire disapprobation of the conduct of the two Houses in this respect. It is calculated to give to our legislation a violent spasmodic, factious character. Nevertheless in the present state of aiFairs I should sign the hill. You will find in the accompanying paper some suggestions which you will look at & give them what weight you think they deserve. Yrs truly XD. W.] (To John Tyler.) Aug. 8, 1842 My Dear Sir; Your note gives me the most sincere pleasure — Let what come that may, the affair settled with England, and we shall have cause for unmixed joy. Take my best thanks for your zeal • and industry in accomplishing this important matter.^ Tomor- row at tea I shall be glad to be surrounded by the Cabinet. But I would rather have you ponder over the idea of separate conventions for each subject. Many friends think that a single Treaty is best. Reserve this if you can for tomorrow. Yrs J. Tyler P. S. I fear the extradition article, but we will confer to- morrow. (To Mrs. Caroline Webster.) Tuesday 3 o'clock. [Aug 1842] My Dear Wife I write a word, only to say that I am well. We are in a great of uncertainty & excitement, & I know not what a day may bring forth. The President is not in good health, & is under a good deal of worry & excitement. I suppose Congress could hardly sit beyond next week. ' Refers to the completion of the Webster- Ashburton Treaty. See message of August H, 1819. "Messages and Papers of the Presidents," vol. iv, p. 162. 276 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER Fletcher is well, & we are both exceedingly busy. We break- fasted this morning with Mrs. Lindsley — all well. The general health of the City is good. I wish you had a supply of our peaches. Mrs. Agg sent me a letter for you, which I forward. Be- fore you receive this you will have seen Mr. Stubbs. I direct this to A. House. You will write me I hope before you leave the City for Morrisiana What an awful scene at Syracuse ! Yrs. D. Websteb (To Mrs. Caroline Webster.) Dear Caroline, Tuesday. 3 1/2 o'clock, Aug 1842. Another day has passed off without important occurence. I have been at the office all the morning, and in tolerable health. Yesterday Mr. Stubbs told me about your purchase. I directed him to order on the 3 principal carpets, and to put one on the study, so that four rooms wiU be carpeted at once. I thought it as well to defer the other for a while, as the whole was a pretty large sum, and perhaps we could manage for what remains, either- here or in Boston. I was at the President's this morning. He seems quite feeble, and is very much embarassed and harassed. If we get another veto, I know not what will become of us. I follow your good advice, keep in night and morning, get exercise when I can, and "spatter water" every morning. I am glad that you are off for Marshfield. Oh, that I could go with you. I am really worn down with care and uncertainty, and should hear with pleasure tomorrow that the world of politics had no more for me to do in it. 5 o'clock — I am all alone and am going out to walk Yours D. W. I shall not write you again, until I hear where you probably may be. (To John Tyler(?).) My dear Sir, Sunday Moening [August 28, 1842] I thank you for your obliging note. Our success in the Sen- THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 277 ate was signal, indeed.' Mr. Derrich will call on you, about one, today, for a necessary signature & will be off for England to- morrow morning. He will be back with the Queen's ratification by the time I have done making chowder at Marshfield, & we can then have the Treaty published & proclaimed. Meantime, I sup- pose the Senate will remove the enjoinder of secrecy from the correspondence on the subject of the "Caroline", the "Creole." & "Impressment;" and will see what the public say, on these mat- ters. I shall come to see you tomorrow — evening. Yours truly Danl Webster. Yr paper will be returned this P. M. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) A. House, N. Y. Sep. 4. [1842] Sunday morn'g. 8 o'clock. My Dear Son, I arrived at 2 o'clock Saturday, having suffered most se- verely the whole three days with my cold. I think I have had it worse, but hope it will not last long. Lord Ashburton was just setting sail, or rather the Boat was just carrying him out of the harbor, as I crossed the ferry yester- day. So I did not see him. I find here several communications from you. Mr. Adams must be quite wrong in regard to the Mexican business Nothing is more common than to authorize expendi- tures, & pay out money by Resolution.^ Search the Statute Books; and at any rate pay Mr. Thompson's bill. You speak of a note, of which the Seal was broken by Mr. Sea- ton, but which I do not find; & his disappointment, but do not state the cause. Your mother is at Robt. Morris'. I am going out this morn- ing, to return in the Evening, — if Mr. Curtis arrives meantime, shall probably leave for Boston tomorrow Eve. I was exceedingly mortified, at the manner in which the Presi- ' On August 26, 1842, the Senate ratified the Ashburton Treaty. '^ In a letter of J. Q. Adams to Fletcher Webster the former had ques- tioned the constitutionality of that action. 278 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER dent was treated at the Ashburton Dinner. I believe it was principally owing to the awkwardness of the presiding ofBcer. If I were present on any such occasion, I should make known my opinion of good manners. Yrs. D. Websteb. (From R. B. Mmturn et al.) Private Hon. Daniel Webster New Yoek Sept. 28, 1842 Dear Sir, We have heard with much concern that there is a probability of your resigning the situation in the Government which you have filled with such eminent advantage to the Country — We beg that you will bear with us in expressing to you the feelings of deep regret with which we have rec'd. this intelligence, and that the earnest desire we feel that such a decision may be averted will excuse us in saying to you, that if you can see your way clear to remain in your uresent position, upon a footing satis- factory to yourself, we believe that you will render the most essential service to your Country, and secure the support and gratitude of all who regard the true welfare of the Nation — We are, With great respect. Your most obt servts. R. B. MiNTUEN M. H. Grinnell Jon. Goodhue Russell H. Nokiiis Jno. a. Stevens George Curtis P. Peritz. Mr. Geo. Griswold has authorized me to say that he concurs in the wish above expressed. R. B. M. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Marshfield Oct. 4, 1842. Dear Fletcher ; By the Steamer arrived at Boston, I have reed, some English letters, but none, either official or private from Mr. Everett or Mr. Derrich. I suppose the package from London may have THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 279 gone to Washington, or I may find it in Boston tomorrow. — If gone to Washington please send them here. If the President shall have returned, he will of course desire to see the Despatches. I have a letter from Genl Cass. He desires permission to re- turn home. Please mention this to the President, but to nobodj else. Yrs. D. Webstee (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Marshfield Oct 5 1842. My Dear Son; The English Despatches were sent to me, this Evening, and have looked them over, sent to you what were for the Depart- ment, and packed and sent off other person's letters. I send you a despatch from Mr. Everett, and a private letter, both of which please show the President. I enclose also Genl Cass' letter, which you will please lay before the President, and take his orders (upon). He will probably direct you to write a civil answer, thanking the Genl. for his faithful and useful services abroad, and yielding to his wishes to return to the Country.* It ought, I think, to be rather a cordial letter, as I believe Genl C is coming home with some expectation of acting a political part. The President will readily give the proper directions. Tomorrow morning I leave for New Hampshire. Yours affectionately Danl Webstee. Continue to write me regularly as Healy will forward the let- ters. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Maeshfield, Oct 6. Wednesday Evening 5 o/clock. 1842. My Dear Son ; The Acadia arrived in Boston yesterday, at 3 o/clock, and Mr. Zantzinger has brought me down the foreign letter bag. I send to you every thing belonging to the Department except copies of Mr. Stevenson's correspondence with Lord Palmerstone on the subjects of the Caroline and the African Seizures. The corre- ' See McLaughlin's " Life of Lewis Cass," p. 185. 280 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER spondence on these subjects is voluminous, and I retain it a day or two for perusal. You will find a duplicate from Mr. Steven- son, and a letter written by Mr. Christopher Hughes in London, marked for the President's perusal, which please lay before him. I have not opened the newspapers, but you will see by the letters that the McLeod affair, is the great subject of interest in Eng- land, so far as we are concerned. Mr. Zantzinger returns to town with the bag in the morning. Your's affect'ly D. W. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) My Dear Son ^=^"™ t^" ^'^ ^^^ ^^' '*^ We have been here now a week, in admirable weather, & I have traversed the mountains, & vallies, to great advantage to my health. My catarrh has disappeared, & I feel in all respects well. I go to Boston on the 19th, & if Mr. Derrich shall have ar- rived, with the Treaty, I shall make haste to Washington. There is nothing new in this quarter. You see what a dust my speech has raised.^ It is no more than I anticipated. I am sorry the Intelligencer acts so foolishly ; but that is its own affair. The Speech is printing in pamphlet form, in Boston, & will be widely circulated. I have directed an early copy to be sent to the President. As they send me no newspapers, I know not what has been going on, for the last ten days ; only that I see there is no reason to doubt whether the Whigs have not lost Maryland. On arriv- ing at Boston, I shall see the state of things — meet Mr. Gushing & other friends, & write you again. Your mother has enjoyed this visit very much, & her health is excellent. Mr. & Mrs. Paige have been a week with us, & left us yesterday. The season has been good, & the crops abundant. The whole scene, & all its associations, are interesting to me. I like much to be here, & sometimes I think it may probably hap- pen that I shall end my days in the spot of my first remembrances & consciousness. Yrs affectionately Danl Webstee ' Speech at the reception in Boston September 30, 1842. See "Works of Webster," vol. ii, p. 117. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 281 (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Dear Fletcher, Boston October 19, 1842 The Britania arrived yesterday, but brought no Mr. Derrich, & no Treaty. I am not a little disappointed at this, as Lord Ashburton arrived and as early as Septr. 23 — We have no public despatch from Mr. Everett, but from his private letter I am led to suppose, that the delay, in regard to the ratification,^ was occasioned, first by Lord Ashburton's proceeding to his own residence, on arriving at Portsmouth, instead of proceeding im- mediately to London, & secondly the absence of several members of the Govt, from London, on visits to their respective residences. Mr. Everett expresses no doubt of the ratification of the Treaty, altho. it appears that a writer in the Chronicle, supposed to be Lord Palmerstone, attacks it vehemently, & calls it Lord Ash- burton's capitulation. We may look for Derrich by the next Steam Ship. I have just returned from N. H. & shall wait no longer for the Treaty, but proceed to Washington next week. Give my best regards to the President. The result of the election in Ohio creates surprise & astonishment, with the proscriptive Whigs in this quarter. But it need surprise no man of sense. New York will follow suit, without doubt; & if Govt. Davis can get thro, in this State, with such a load as he has to carry, he will do well. It is obvious, that the political power in the Country is falling back, into the hands of those who were outnumbered by the Whigs, in 1840. All this was to have been expected, from the violence & injustice which have characterized the conduct of the AVhig leaders. The state of things, now certain to exist three weeks hence, will call on the President, & all who wish well to his administration, to consider deeply & seriously of what shall be done for the future. Yrs affectionately Danl Webster (To D. Fletcher Webster.) ^''"'*£, Oct. 20, 42. Dear F. I write you, under date of yesterday, a letter, such as, that if ' See Curtis' " Life of Webster," vol. ii, p. 150 et seq. 282 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER you see fit, you can send to the President, respecting the Treaty, &c. &c. I had no letter from Derrich, but looked into his note to you. You had better not show that note to the President, as he might think Mr. Everett had not pressed for an early ratification of the Treaty, as urgently as he might have done. Yrs truly D Webstee (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Oct. 20, '42 Dear Fletcher I return the Mexican papers. On the whole, I regret that the negotiations had not been left to be carried on in Washington, under the President's own eye ; but trust Mr. Thompson will get successfully through it. Your's D. Webstee (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Private Boston Oct. 20, '42 Dear Fletcher, I quite regret that any room should exist for an inference, that in my speech I represented the plan of the Exchequer as my own. I meant only to defend it, & to say that I approved it. If there be danger of misapprehension on this subject, I will take occasion to put all right. Please sav this to the President. Yrs D. W. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) N. York Nov. 3, 1842 Dear Fletcher Your mother & I arrived this morn'g. We shall probably stay a day or two, & it is most likely I shall then leave your mother here. It is hardly probable that I shall stay long enough for Derrich's arrival, but he may come. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 283 I have seen many friends, this morn'g, who seem in good spirits, but there being no particular news. I am glad to see the Madi- sonian* so effective. If I should not leave tomorrow, I shall write you again. Yrs affectionately Danl Webster (From Lord Ashburton.) Private The Grange Jan. 2, 1843. * * * Jan 7.^ I had thus far left my letter unfinished as there was no immediate opportunity of sending it and in the meantime the President's speech reaches us.^ On reading what concerned my transactions I could hardly believe my ears until I read it over deliberately a second time. The deliberate approval of Genl Cass' interference and the insinuation, for so I apprehend that I must understand it, that our cruising article was the result of our consideration of what is miscalled the right of search, — the further assertion that the practice of visiting in cases of suspicion is the only assertion of a right of search in a different form, — these are startling propositions and I am at a total loss to conceive what could have so entirely confused and upset all facts and all reasoning on this subj ect since I left Wash- ington. It was not without reason that we deprecated Genl Cass' return during our negotiations, for he seems to have got fast hold of your cabinet and to have treated this subject so as best to answer the purpose of the knot of mischievous persons in Paris who have been seeking to embarrass their own government and disturb the peace of the world. But I will not pursue this subj ect ; fortunately for me my diplomatic character has ceased, and I may leave the troubles of the world to others. I shall confine myself to defending my own character in disclaiming all allusion to the right of search in our cruising article, and in stating that no demand was made on me growing out of that supposed grievance, and no intimation given me from any quarter that the last explanation of what was to be the conduct of our cruisers on the ' The administration newspaper. ' This part of Ashburton's letter to Webster was omitted (without indicating the omission) by Fletcher Webster in his edition of Webster's private corre- spondence. See vol. ii, p. 162. ' See " Messages and Papers of the Presidents," vol. iv, p. 19S. 284 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER African coast was otherwise than satisfactory. I need hardly tell you that any thing I may say or do on this & all subjects connected with America wiU be always to promote peace and allay irritation, but I can not deny that your Presidential speech has made European politicians of all parties and all countries stare with unusual surprise. There is another paragraph on a subject with which I have no concern upon which I can not refrain from asking a few words, with a view to correct an evident mistake. You are aware that I studiously avoided during my mission aU interference with, or even discussions about, your Federal or state finances, loans or Tariffs. Until my return home I did not know that a Gentleman had been sent to Europe by your Treasury to negotiate a loan. This gentleman asked an interview with me but before the ap- pointed day came round he returned home, despairing, I beheve, of success. I did not therefore see him, but I should certainly, if I had seen him, have given him the best advice and assistance in my power. But what I wish to observe upon is the very mistaken notion which, if we mistake not, seems to have obtained that there must have been some sort of combination among capitalists to force some settlement of the state debts by refusing credit to the federal government. I think you must know enough of the world of business to know that this can have no foundation. Any single individual losing half his fortune in state debts may object to risk the other half with the general government, — ^but there can be no combination among these capitalists, & any one would employ his funds, if he could do so advantageously, without caring one straw about what had happened to his neighbors. It is true that the greater number do not discriminate; and Massachusetts — • New York — & federal credit, which in my opinion is as good as any in the world, are mixed up in the public mind with Mich- igan, Missouri, &c. There is necessarily much ignorance but there has not been, nor can there well be, any conspiracy. — I shall be watching anxiously though with little personal interest, what you do on this subject of credit. If you are wise you will set it right as fast as you can, for your means for the purpose are superabundant. Good credit is indispensable for a country acting upon the wise principle of using it for emergencies only. At this moment money is raising here for Canada with British guarantee, at 108 p'c't for a 4 per cent stock. Your federal government could borrow here any time at the same rate but for the late loose practices. I wish our finances were on as sound a basis as yours THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 285 might be ; but then nobody, whatever may be the difficulty, talks or thinks of repudiation. All this however is as well known to you & to those about you as to me, so I will spare you further useless common place on the subject. My object in touching it at all was to explain the mistake about combinations & con- spiracies. * * * ASHBUaTON. To John Quvncy Adams} Department of State January 9th, 1843 Sir: In answer to your inquiries this morning, I have to say, that from the nature of the case, the Department is not able to give an exact estimate of the probable expenses, of a mission to China. The expense of repairing to the place, will, of course, exceed that of proceeding to a Court in Europe, a sum at least equal to that allowed Ministers at other Courts as an annual salary, it is pre- sumed, will be deemed reasonable ; the Commissioner, or Minister, wiU need the services of an American Secretary, and a Chinese Secretary or Interpreter; and what may be the extent, of necessary contingent disbursements cannot well be foreseen. If the Committees and Congress see no objection to such a course, it appears to the Department that an appropriation of a sum, in gross, say $40,000 for the expenses of a mission to China, might be a useful mode of providing for the expenses of the mission at its inception. I have the honor to be Your obed. Servant, Dan'l Websteb, (From John Tyler.) [Feb. 1843]== Dr Sir Sir Robert Peel's speech renders the publication of the cor- ' This letter is owned by Charles Francis Adams. * The correspondence was submitted Feb. 24, 1843. See " Messages and Pa- pers of the Presidents," vol. iv, p. 229. Peel's speech, which is referred to, must be the address of February 2, 1843, in which he comments on the Presi- dent's message. 286 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER respondence with Cass more urgent. Every day's delay will in- jure us. Let the whole blast be at once over. Y'r's. J. Tylee (To D. Fletcher Webster.) [Feb. 1843] My Dear Son, Let not the persons interested in the repeal of the Bankrupt Law despair. Stand firm, all friends. Stronger gales than this have been met with, & ridden out. If a repeal Bill comes to the President, we shall see what we shall see. Yrs D. W. (To Jared Sparks}) March 11, 1843. * * * As to the boundary subject, you understand it well. What is likely to be overlooked by superficial thinkers is the value of Rouse's Point. England will never visit us with an army from Canada for the purpose of conquest; but if she had retained Rouse's Point, she would at all times have access to Lake Champlain, and might in two days place a force within two days' march of the city of Albany. The defence of the country, therefore, would require a large military force in that neighbor- hood. * * * Daniel Webstee. (To Jared Sparks.') March 11, 1843, * * * As to the conduct of the negotiation, there is one point on which I wish to speak to you very freely, even at the hazard of a well-founded imputation of some vanity. The grand stroke was to get the previous consent of Maine and Massa- chusetts.* Nobody else had attempted this; it had occured to ' Taken from the " Life and Writings " of Sparks, vol. ii, p. 413. ' Taken from Sparks' " Life and Works," vol. ii, p. 403. ' To the Northeastern Boundary agreement. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 287 nobody else; it was a movement of great delicacy, and of very doubtful result. But it was made, with how much skill and judgement in the manner, you must judge ; and it succeeded, and to this success the fortunate result of the whole negotiation is to be attributed. * * * "You notice the great majorities with which, after all the high- sounding notes of opposition, the appropriations for the treaty passed both houses. There is probably no instance of a similar approach to unanimity. In the Senate four votes were found against it, in the House, about forty. * * * D. Webstee. (To Jared Sparks}) Maech 18,1843: * * * In the ' London Morning Chronicle ' of February 6th you will find some observations about the map.^ I am blamed, not for not showing the map, but for expressing confidence in the claim. Now, in my letter to Lord Ashburton I argued the question on the terms of the treaty, and you know that Lord Brougham has said the terms of the treaty sustained our rights ; and I know that Lord Aberdeen has said the same thing, though I am not at liberty to say so publicly. Now, what is the value of the evidence of the map, such as it is, against the admitted plain sense of the treaty? Any lawyer would say 'Nothing.' * * * Daniel Webstee. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) April 9, 1843. DearF: I came down yesterday, & last eve' rec'd various things from you to which I shall attend as fast as possible. I wish the Despatch could be published extensively. I believe it will stand fire. All as usual here. Some signs of spring. Another map is found in N. Y. important to the right side. Yrs D. W. ' Taken from Sparks' "Life and Writings," vol. ii, p. 404. 288 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Dear F. ^^^'^ 16 [1843] Things look all right ab't China. Here is Mr. Warren Delano Jr. of Canton, a fine young man, going to China, in July, & wishes you to go with him, Sf live at his house while you stay in China! — & proposes other good things. Keep all this to yourself tni I see you Tuesday. Yrs D. W. Don't let Brown have anymore money, till I go to W. (To John Q. Adams}) Depahtment or State Dear Sir • Washington, May 7th, 1843 I observe an Amendment of the Bill making appropriation for the civil and diplomatic expenses of Government, has been adopted in the Senate, as a proviso for the appropriation for the contingent expenses of foreign intercourse in the following Words, viz: "And provided further that no part of this appro- priation be applied, after the 1st July next, for compensation to separate Agents, appointed without the consent of the Senate ; or any act of Congress authorizing it, for receiving or transmitting despatches (see House bUl 74 as amended by the Senate, page 32 lines 827 to 831 inclusive.) I hardly know what is meant by separate agents and rather suppose the word intended to be used was Diplomatic, and that the word "or " should come in (line 830) before the words "for receiving it." It is to the latter part of this Amendment, that I have ventured to ask your attention, viz: so much as is embraced in the following words, "or for receiving or transmitting despatches." I take leave to send you a copy of a communication addressed by me yesterday, to the Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means on this subject. I presume such a prohibition would hardly be enacted, under a full knowledge of the circumstances of the case, and the consequences of such a prohibition. I have ventured to hope, that, as your experience both in this Department, and abroad, has been such as to make you fully acquainted with the subject, you ' This letter is owned by Charles Francis Adams. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 289 would take some pains to set the matter right in the House of Representatives. Should this amendment be adopted by the House, the charges usually arising from this part of the service, must either be transferred to other connected heads of appropria- tion, or serious obstruction would be likely to be met with in the modes of carrying on foreign correspondence, at an important moment in our affairs. You will see how repugnant this provision is, with all former appropriations under this head, and the constant practice of the Government; and with the law which authorizes the accounting officers of the Treasury to settle accounts of such appropriations upon the President's certificate alone. I have the honor to be D'r Sir Your obedient Servant, Dan'l Webstee. (To Mr. Bigelow et al} ) Gentlemen : Washington. Jan. 23, 184-4. Circumstances have not allowed me an opportunity, until the present moment, of answering your letter of the 18th of Decem- ber. In that letter, you expressed the belief that a proposition might probably be presented to Congress at its present session, for the annexation of Texas to the United States ; and you desire to know my opinions on the constitutionality of such a message ; its probable effect on the character and future action of our gov- ernment; its tendency to promote the cause of freedom, or to strengthen the bonds of slavery ; and, in general, the consequences which may justly be expected to result from the annexation to the United States of a large slave-holding country, not only to American liberty, American Industry, and the continuance of the Union itself, but, also, to the great cause of human knowledge, virtue and happiness, in the United States, in Texas, and throughout the world. At the time when your letter was received, I indulged a strong hope that no such proposition would be made in Congress, or would proceed from any other quarter. I deem it quite unfor- tunate that a topic, so certain to produce great excitement, should ' This copy was taken from the original draft of the letter in Webster's hand. 290 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER be added to the other causes, operating at the present moment, to create diversities of public opinion. As an intention has recently been manifested, however, of mak- ing the annexation of Texas to the United States a subject of discussion in Congress, I lose no time in answering your letter, and in complying with its request. The answer is quite at hand. In the early part of the year 1837, it was generally under- stood that a proposition was about to be made to the government of the United States for the annexation of Texas to the United States. Having occasion, in March of that year, to address a political meeting in the City of New York, upon the interesting topics of the day, I could not, consistently with my sense of pro- priety and duty, abstain from a full expression of my sentiments on that subject. I take liberty to transcribe the remarks then made by me. (Extract.)! I need hardly say that these opinions remain entirely unal- tered. Five months after these remarks were made, that is to say, on the 21st of August, 1837, the Minister of Texas, Mr. Memucan Hunt, addressed a letter to the Secretary of State of the United States, submitting a direct proposition for the annexation of Texas to the United States. This letter recited, at much length, the history of the separation of Texas from Mexico, and set forth, very fully, the advantages, which it was supposed could accrue to the United States from that annexation. On the 25th of August, Mr. Forsyth, the Secretary of State, answered this letter ; — and the following is an extract from that answer. ( Extract.)! From that time until quite recently, the subject has been with- drawn from public attention. The war between Mexico and Texas is not yet concluded; although active hostilities have ceased, and a truce is understood to have been agreed upon. In the meantime, Texas has maintained itself, as an independent sovereignty, and has extended its relations with the nations of the world. If in the judgment of the government of the United States, there were insuperable objections, even to entertaining ' The extracts are not given in this draft, nor are they indicated by page or paragraph. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 291 any negotiation on the subject of annexation, seven years ago, it seems to me that time and events have served only to strengthen such objections. The Constitutional authority of Congress to admit new states into the Union, formed of Territories not belonging to any of the states, at the adoption of the present form of government, is an important point in your inquiries. The Constitution of the U. S. provides that "New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union but no new states shall be formed or erected within the jurisdiction of any other state; nor any state be formed by the junction of two or more states, or parts of states, without the consent of the legislature of the states concerned, as well as of the Congress." It would seem very reasonable to confine this provision to states to be formed out of Territories already belonging to the United States, and in regard to which the old congress, by ac- cepting the cession of territory from individual states, and agree- ing to the proposed terms of cession, had already stipulated that they might be created and admitted into the Union. Any othei" conclusion would be forced, & immature; and would imply that the framers of the Constitution, & the People, were looking to the admission of their territories, although those which they then had were, one half a wilderness, & the other half very thinly peopled. It is not at all probable from the history of the states, from the circumstances in which they were placed in 1789, or from all that is to be learned of mens opinions and expectations at that day, that any idea was entertained, by any body, of bringing into the Union, at any time, states formed out of the territories of foreign power. Indeed much jealousy was felt towards the new Government, from fear of its over-bearing might & strength, when proposed to be established over the thirteen states. This jealousy, it is easy to believe, would have been heated into more decisive, & perhaps successful opposition, if it had been understood that projects of enlargement of boundaries, or Territorial aggrandizement had been among the objects con- templated by its establishment. And it is one of the unaccount- able eccentricities, and apparent inconsistencies of opinion, that those who hold the Constitution of the United States to be a com- pact between States, should think, nevertheless, that the govern- ment created by that Constitution, is at liberty to introduce new states, formed out of foreign territory, with or without the con- sent of those, who are regarded as original parties. 292 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER By the Convention with France of the 30th April, 1803, Loiai- siana was ceded to the United States, with this condition, "The inhabitants of the ceded territory shall be incorporated in the anion of the United States, and admitted as soon as possible, ac- cording to the principles of the federal constitution, to the en- joyment of all the Tights, advantages, and immunities of citi- zens of the United States: and in the mean time they shall be maintained and protected in the free enjoyment of their liberty, property, and the religion which they profess." It is now known to have been Mr. Jefferson's opinion, at the time, that an amendment of the Constitution was necessary, in order to carry this stipulation into effect ; and it is known, also, that such was the opinion, ably and earnestly maintained by dis- tinguished persons in the government. The treaty, however, was ratified. No amendment of the Constitution was proposed, and in 1812 Louisiana was admitted into the Union, as a state, upon the same footing as the original states. All branches of the government concurred in this act, and the Country acquiesced in it. In the year 1819, a treaty, was concluded with Spain for the cession of Florida. This treaty followed the precedent of that with France, and contained this stipulation. "The inhabitants of the territories which his Catholic Majesty cedes to the United States, by this treaty, shall be incorporated in the Union of the United States, as soon as may be consistent with the principles of the federal constitution, and admitted to the enjoyment of all the privileges, rights and immunities, of the citizens of the United States." Florida has not yet been admitted into the Union, but the treaty was ratified, the cession accepted, according to its terms, and the people, as well as the public authorities, have acquiesced in the contract, for twenty years, and given it the sanction of their approbation. Louisiana and Florida, therefore, are settled cases. The ad- mission of one, and the agreement to admit the other, at a proper time, are facts, are acts done, and as such must have their full effect. But it does not follow that they are precedents for the annexation of Texas. Important differences are pointed out, between the cases, in Mr. Forsyth's letter; and others might be suggested. But it is enough to say, that what has been done, on at best a very questionable right, and in a case of strong and urgent necessity, is no sufficient warrant for a similar proceed- THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 293 ing, in a case in which no such necessity exists, and in which both the right and the expediency may be very properly considered, on the original and independent grounds belonging to them. I am certainly of opinion, with Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Madison, Mr. J. Q. Adams, and other eminent men, that the Constitution never contemplated the admission of New States, formed out of the territories of foreign nations ; and while I admit, that what has been done in regard to Louisiana and Florida, must now be considered as legally done, yet I do not admit the propriety of proceeding farther, and admitting, not a territory, ceded by a foreign nation, but a foreign nation itself, with all its obligations and treaties, its laws and its institutions, into the number of the States, which compose this Union. The broad question proposed by you of the probable, general influence of the annexation of Texas, upon American liberty and industry, the continuance of our Union, and the Universal cause of knowledge, virtue, liberty, and happiness, is a question full of intense interest, and which suggests thoughts and reflections, well worthy to engage the deepest attention of intelligent minds. It is not to be doubted, that the continuance of the American Union, and its prosperity and success, under its present form of government, is a matter of high moment to all mankind. It is one of the most cherished hopes and reliances of that universal cause of which you speak, the cause of human knowledge, virtue, liberty, and happiness. And he is a bolder reasoner than I am, who has satisfied himself that this government may be continued indefinitely, either to the North or to the South, without endan- gering its stability, and its duration. It is true, that under the beneficent operation of the practical principle of maintaining local government for local purposes, and confiding general inter- ests to the general government, the ends of political society are capable of being fulfilled, by the same free and popular system, and the same administration, over a large portion of the earth. This is the result of our experience; but our experience is the only instance of such a result. A monarchical and arbitrary gov- ernment, may extend itself to the full limit of its military means. Under such a government, society is kept together by pressure from above, by weight of the Government itself, and the strength of its arm. But how obvious it is, that in free, elective systems, the political society exists and coheres, & must exist and cohere, not by superincumbent pressure on its several parts, but by the internal and natural attraction of those parts; by the assimila- 294 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER tion of interests and of feelings ; by a sense of common country, common political family, common character, fortune and destiny. Not only the organization of such systems, but also their con- tinuance by means of periodical popular elections, necessarily requires intercourse, mutual conference and understanding, and a general acquaintance among those who are to unite in such elections. When individuals are to be selected for high situations in government, and to exercise an influence over the happiness of all, it would seem indispensable, that a general, if not a universal confidence should be inspired, by knowledge of their character, their virtues and patriotism. It certainly may be very well ques- tioned, with how much of mutual intelligence, and how much of a spirit of conciliation and harmony, those who live on the St Lawrence and the St John would be expected in sincerity, to unite in the choice of a President, with the inhabitants of the Banks of the Rio Grande de Norte and the Colorado. It is evi- dent, at least, that there must be some boundary, or some limits, to a Republic, which is to have a common centre. Free and ardent speculation may lead to the indulgence of an idea, that such a Republic may be extended over a whole hemisphere. On the other hand, minds less sanguine, or more chastened by the examples of history, may fear, that extension often produces weakness, rather than strength ; and that political attraction, like other attractions, is less and less powerful, as the parts become more and more distant. In this difference, between ardent specu- lations, and cautious fears, it seems to me to be the truest wisdom to abide by the present state of things ; acknowledged, since that state of things is on all hands, to be singularly happy, prosperous and honorable. In all points of view, therefore, in which I can regard the subject, my judgment is decidedly unfavorable to the project of annexing Texas to the United States. "We have a Sparta," said the old Greek; "Let us embellish it." We have a Republic, Gentlemen, of vast extent & unequalled natural advantages; a Republic, full of interest in its origin, its history, its present conditions, & its prospects for the future. Instead of aiming to enlarge its boundaries, let us seek, rather, to strengthen its Union, to draw out its resources, to maintain & improve its institutions of Religion & Liberty, & then to push it forward in its career of prosperity & glory. I am. Gentlemen, with most time regai'd, your obliged friend D. Webster THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 295 (To Peter Harvey{?).) Washington Feby 13, 1845 Thursday morning Dear Sir I have leisure enough, at present, to write to friends, if I knew anything to be told, in regard to passing events. There seems no certainty as to what is to happen here within the next fort- night, although there are surmises & conjections, in plenty, & perhaps, on some points, there are probabilities. The new presi- dent is expected today, &, in due time, he will of course, solve mysteries, so far as he is concerned. As to the Cabinet the gen- eral impression now is, that it will be new, from top to toe. I think that very probable, as discrimination would be invidious, & I believe all the present incumbents are quite willing to serve their country still longer. The Texas debate, begins in the Senate today. In all prob- ability, the result will be postponement, & a provision for further negotiation. It is said Genl. Jackson does not like the proposed form of annexation. He says it is a whig measure, & Texas must stay out till she can get better terms. There is no doubt some degree of truth in this ; & very likely Mr. Bentons plan suits the General better than the pending resolutions. Oregon remains as it was. I think the measure will stop in the Senate. There is no more of the session re- maining, than will suffice for the debate on Texas, & the passing of the necessary appropriation bills. Mr. Calhouns friends, what few there are of them, will be for laying Oregon on the table. On the other hand, some Western whigs may feel obliged to vote for the measure. It seems understood, that the English minister has made sundry propositions, but has rec'd none among others he has offered an arbitration, leaving it in the option of the United States to designate, out of all the Governments of Europe, that one, which shall arbitrate, itself, or appoint arbi- tration. I believe I shall take advantage of a few days leisure to go north as far as N. Y. Yrs very truly D. Webster. P. S. The last edition of the "Cabinet" seems to stand thus Mr. Calhoun — State to remain for some time or else Mr. Walker. Gov. Marcy Treas. Wm. V. Butler Ken. — war. It may be A. J. Donaldson. 296 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER Franklin Pierce N. H. Navy. Romulus Grundy, or Cave Johnson — P. M. G. (To Peter Harvey.) My Dear Sir N. Y. Feb. 18, '45. I shall take care of Mr. John Wards Drft. I do not know exactly how the Court was divided in Milne' case. Judge Story, I have no doubt, held the Mass. acts void, k so must every other constitutional Lawyer. I never knew any- thing about these laws, till I looked into the case at Washington : & was quite surprised, at their provisions, & their apparent repug- nance to acts of Congress. Every thing may be said of them, which Massachusetts says agt. S. Carolina. I shall not leave this City, probably, before Monday. Yrs. D. W. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Dear F. Mae. 2. [1845] I arrived last night. I think I shall be able to write you good news about your little affair, tomorrow. Perhaps Mr. Curtis may write today. I begged him to inquire of Mr. Evans, & give you notice. Love to C. & the babies. Yrs. D. W. I have read your letter, & shall write abt its contents tomor- row. Buchanan, for State Walker for treasury — So much is cer- tain (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Dear Fletcher [March 1845] Saturday 3 o'clock Mr. Bates is much as yesterday. No worse. Dr. Parker^ confirmed, tho' not without some wriggling. ' Milne vs. City of New York, vol. xi, Peters' Reports. See the letter of Daniel Webster to J. Prescott Hall in Curtis' " Life of Webster," vol. ii, p. 374. ' Dr. Peter Parker, appointed secretary and interpreter to the American le- gation, China. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 297 There is a good deal of coolness between "brethren of the same principle," That is evident. Yrs D. W. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Monday Morg Mar. 3. [1845] My Dear Son I wrote you a hasty note yesterday. I now find, that a proper communication was sent to the com^*. of the Senate, from the State Department, respecting the arrears of the China Mission. A proposition of appropriation was inserted, by the Senate, as an amendment to the Civil & Diplomatic Bill, from the H. of R. This item, with other amendments of the Senate, was disagreed to, by the H. of R. — & a com*^. of conference appointed. The Comee. on the part of the House is Mc. Kay, Dromgoole, & that amiable person, Garrett Davis. — On the part of the Senate, Evans, Barrow, & Benton. The Committee met yesterday, & agreed on some points, & left this undecided. The Gentlemen of the House opposed it, for no other reason but general opposition, so far as I can learn. — They meet again today. Mr. Evans will do what he can, & I have also written a note to Mr Barrow — I have also des- patched a note to Mr. Cushing, who does not know what has been done, suggesting to him the necessity of paying some attention to the matter. — I know not what the result will be — I saw Mr. Cushing yesterday. He said he had recently filed 2 Despatches, to do up the business of his mission, one, to set forth the obligations he was under to the other Gentlemen of the Mission; & one, to discharge a similar duty towards the Naval officers. I will go to the office the first opportunity, to look at the first of those ; & also to inquire about the letter of instructions, &c. — Mr. Bancroft* came on, yesterday, & they say it is settled, that he is to be Sec. of the Navy. D. Webstek ' George Bancroft, the historian. 298 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Washington Mar 6. 1845. Dear Fletcher It was impossible to get your appropriation thro' with all our efforts. In the first place, the recommendation from the Department, tho' well enough, was not entirely specific, & this gave the enemy a handle. — In the next place Mr Kay & Garret Davis were obstinate as mules, & bitter as possible. Mr. Gushing went to see Mr Kay, & the latter promised to withdraw opposition, but broke his promise. Mr. Gurtis, Mr. Crittenden, Evans, Choate, &c did what they could — but to no purpose — It is no great matter. The only evil is delay. You may want the money next year, perhaps, as much as this. Mr. Gushings reference to you, in his despatch is in these words, or very nearly "Mr. Fletcher Webster, as Secretary of the Mission,^ was of great & important service, not only in the discharge of the ordi- nary duties of his office, but also by the performance of several official duties, which the peculiar nature of the negotiation, made necessary." He says he is very sorry the Drawings have not arrived, so that you could have them, & expressed the greatest readiness to fur- nish any thing he could, to your use— I fear our session will be longer than I expected. They say it will take Mr. Polk a week to find out what is the actual con- dition of things, as left by Mr Tyler. Yrs truly D. Webstee The Instructions, letters &c — were sent from the Department to the President — whether he sent them to the Senate, I do not yet know — I will enquire about the matter today. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Dear Son Monday noon in Senate [Mar. 9, 1845] The instructions &c are in the President's hands — I will send a copy as soon as possible. ' To China. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 299 It is said Mr Polk means to give Mr. Almonte as mild & amiable an answer as possible. Yrs affectionately D. W. (To Fletcher Webster}) [Mae. 11. 184-5] R. M. Armstrong of Tennessee, said to be a respectable man, will be consul at Liverpool. — A Mr Davis is to be Surveyor of the Port of Phila. in place of Mr Cooper — So much for Mr Polk's gratitude to Mr. Tyler. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Washington Mar. 12. 1845 Dear Fletcher, It is certain that a considerable degree of dissatisfaction pre- vails with a certain portion of Mr Polk's supporters at the Cabi- net arrangements, & other appointments, made or expected. At the head of the aggrieved, stands Mr Calhoun. Mr. Cal- houn professes to be greatly delighted with an opportunity of returning to Private Life; but nevertheless makes no secret of his feelings, as to the manner in which it has seemed fit to others, that he should relinquish the seals of office. He thinks that manner, unkind, discourteous, & even decidedly disrespectful. The two Carolina Senators are equally disaffected, & Mr Wood- bury, probably, is behind neither, as he seems very much neg- lected. He is the more disturbed, I think, at seeing Mr Allen of Ohio putting forth pretensions to be considered as Leader of the Party, in the Senate. I doubt, however, whether there be enough of dissatisfaction to make anything like a breach, at present. Mr Calhoun's area is a very small one, almost wholly confined to South Carolina, & Mr Woodbury Is not followed much at the North. — Mr. Polks Inaugural says nothing of the existing Tariff Law, viz the Act of 1842. — But It Is certain, some modifications, or alterations, will be recommended by Mr. Walker, at the Com- ' Unsigned, but in Daniel Webster's hand. 300 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER mencement of the next Session. Taking this for granted, I think our friends, who are interested in the preservation of the system, may very well take some steps, during the summer, to produce just impressions, by communicating facts & information to the Secretary — Mr Walker is a good tempered & accessible man ; he professes to be no general enemy to protection ; a Penn- sylvanian, by birth & education, he is not without sympathies with the good people of that State. He is new in office, ardent, & sanguine ; & like other persons of that temperament, & in that situation, hopes, confidently, that he may be able in some man- ner, to reconcile jaring interests and opposing opinions. Care ought to be taken, that while getting his materials, & before making up his report to Congress, he should be put in possession of full and accurate information. I think, that the Gentlemen, concerned in manufactures, should, through the aid of a Com®*, or by some other agency, set to work, at once, to prepare a View, or Statement, showing the operation of the Law of 1842 upon the principal manufactures, and what parts of it might be altered, & to what extent, without injury. I am sure he would receive such a communication very kindly. If you have oppor- tunity, you may suggest this, to Mr Appleton, Mr Paige, or other friends. After the receipt of this, you may address me at the A. H. New York — I hear from Mrs Bates, that Mr Bates was a little easier last night, but that there was no material change. Yours affectionately Daniel Webstee {To D. Fletcher Webster.) Dear Fletcher New York Mar : 24. 1845. I left Washington Thursday afternoon, the 20th, immedi- ately on the adjournment of the Senate No great political event occurred, after Mr Almonte's^ demand of his Passports ; & it will be two months before we can learn how Mexico takes the Resolu- tion for Annexation. In the mean time, recent information would seem to show that Texas herself is not too anxious for the proposed espousal as she was expected to be. I am not sur- prised at this intelligence; for I had reason to know, before I left Washington, the Govt, was quite apprehensive, on this point. ' The Mexican Minister. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 301 One great stimulating agency, in the Annexation subject, was the interested activity of the holders of Texas Stocks. The stipula- tion agt. paying her debts has of course cooled the zeal of these persons. It is time, that Mr Tyler, in eager haste, sent off a despatch, announcing the determination of our Govt, to act under the first Branch of the Resolutions, & to bring Texas finally in by an act of the two Houses. This was done, under a belief common to most people, & fully expressed by Mr Calhoun, that if negoti- ations were entered into, under the second branch, Texas could not come in by Treaty, & so not without the consent of two thirds the Senate. But I have reason to believe that in this opinion Mr. Buchanan differs from Mr Calhoun ; & that it is the determi- nation of the President and the present Administration to bring Texas in by law, a joint Resolution of both Houses, whether Texas accepts the old terms, or negotiates for new. So it is likely there will be a struggle in either House, next session. The President will send somebody soon to Mexico ; but whether a sole minister, or a joint mission, I do not think is yet decided. I should not be surprised if Mr Gushing should be employed on that service. The China mission has given him reputation, & he has one point of qualification, not found in everyone, that is, a knowledge of the language. You will receive this as my con- jecture, only; but my opinion is, that such an appointment is very probable.- — I reed your letters here ; rej oice that you are all well ; & expect to be in Boston in two or three days. Yrs affectionately Danl Webster {From John C. Spencer}) Hon. Daniel Webster Albany, June 5, 1845. Dear Sir, * * * I feel peculiar pride and exultation in the masterly and incontrovertible vindication it [the Treaty of Washington] has received from the only man who was capable of exhibiting its difficulties and its vast importance. ' John C. Spencer represented New York in Congress, was Secretary of War under Tyler, and later Secretary of the Treasury. He was a prominent lawyer and achieved fame in the work of revision of the laws of New York. 302 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER And yet, you will pardon me for saying that there was one branch of the difficulties and obstacles to a successful termination of that negotiation, which you have not noticed, and which you could not well notice, altho the ability, temper and tact required to overcome them — were at least equal to what was demanded by the adroitness of Lord Ashburton and the skill of the British ministry. I allude to the organized opposition then existing in the State of Maine, to any surrender of territory, stimulated by a party, with which you could have no political association, and no influence; — and also to the position of the Senate, — nearly one half of the members ranging themselves with a party which cer- tainly felt under no political obligations to you for its recent defeat at the Presidential election, — and the other half, with two or three exceptions, boiling with rage because you would not de- sert the country to avenge the quarrels or minister to the am- bition of Mr Clay. And two thirds of these men were to be con- ciliated and bro't to support a Treaty which was to place the cop^-stone on the pillar of your renown ! I well know how you dealt with these refractory spirits and how they were bro't in one one by one to sustain a measure which most of them would gladly have defeated. You had four parties to negotiate with,- — the British Ambassador, the State of Maine, the Senate of the United States and the President. The third in this Series was the most difficult to deal with. That part of the negotiation, I suppose never can be written. If it could be, in my opinion it would command the applause and gratitude of your countrymen in a greater degree than any other part. I am very glad to hear that Mr. Tyler has done you and him- self justice in the matter of the Secret Service fund, and that this calumny at least is likely to recoil on the head of its inventor. With great respect Your most obedt. Servt. J. C. Spencek. {To D. Fletcher Webster.) Dga,r F. June 21 — [1845] Sunday 1 O clock It may be that Ld Aberdeen gave a hint to Mr. McLane of a readiness to mediate, but I do not suppose that Mr. Pakenham is authorized here, to make such an offer.' ' Alludes to the Oregon controversy. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 303 Since writ'g you yesterday, I have thought it would be best to go to Marshfield, on friday, hy the 9 Oclock Boat — & have written to Mr. Weston to that effect. So, on arriv'g, I shall probably go to Tremont H. for breakfast. D. W. {From Henry Wheaton.) Berlin, 26 Nov. 1845 My Dear Sir, As you will before this reaches you have taken your Seat in the Senate, I write these hasty lines merely to call your attention to two matters which will come before that body in the Executive Council at the opening of the Session — The first is the Treaty of Extradition with Germany^ which was concluded here in January last, with some few alterations in your original project arranged with von Boenne {?) on which (though I had no doubt myself) I consulted our Government, & under its instructions adopted them — As it is substantially the same arrangement with your treaty with Lord Ashburton, I presume it will encounter no difficulty in the Ratification — Any correspondence relating to it ought to be communicated with the Treaty, & if anything should be accidently omitted, you will (of course) call for it — The correspondence fully explains the nature and object of the alterations, which though not very important you will perhaps think real improvement- — They were suggested by the Prussian " Justice-Minister,"— to make use of a Jeremy Bentham term — The second matter to which I refer is a little Convention between the U. States & Saxony for the mutual abolition of the Droit d'Aubaine & taxes on Emigration in the two Countries^ — This treaty is one of a Series on the same Subject which I have negotiated with different German States, 20 which have already been ratified by the Senate. It difFeres in one particular, from the others in giving a little more power to the subject of Saxony as to purchasing & holding lands in the U. States in return for the abolition of taxes on emigration by which we gain in the amount of capital brought over by the emigrants. This is a matter of more importance than might be supposed, as the num- ber of emigrants is constantly increasing, consisting of rich ' See Treaties and Conventions, p. 45. ' Ibid., p. 981. 304 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER peasants, who bring with them several millions of florins — The point is fully explained in my Despatch accompanying the Convention to which I beg leave to refer you, & to request you to explain the matter to the Senate when the question comes up. * * * I have the honor to be ever truly your obliged friend, H. Wheaton. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Dec. 11. 45 Thursday Eve' My Dear Son I arrived last night, just in time to bear my part in the argument of my first cause. Today I have been in Court, all day, excepting 15 minutes in the Senate. — I shall speak either tomorrow or Monday. It is an important cause from N. Y. respecting the State tax on passengers — I have seen nobody except the Senators, & the Court. Friends in the Senate were glad to see me, as they look for important business soon. They seemed sober. As soon as I learn anything, I will write you. As yet, I have seen & heard but little, out of the Court room. — I am at Ademan's — & well lodged for the present. Yrs D. W. {To D. Fletcher Webster.) Philadelphia, Hartwell, No. 13 Dec. 25. 1845 Christmas Day, 4 o'clock in the Morning. Dear Fletcher I arrived here last evening, & write this, that I may put it into the mail, at N. Y. if I get there in season this P. M. If the weather be mild, I mean to go to Boston on Saturday. But I shall write you more fully tomorrow. Court duties will call me back immediately ; but I must see You, & if storms & tempests prevent me from getting to Boston, you must be prepared to come South & find me where you can. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 305 I hope Caroline and the Children are well, & all happy. My own health is excellent. Let Mr Healey know that I am in itimere. Yrs affectionately Danl. Webstee F.W. Remember me, at 30 Winter Street, & 63 Summer Street. I hope you wiU aU enjoy, with grateful hearts, a happy Christmas. Kiss the whole circle for me. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Jan. 12. '46 Dear F. I have reed the answer — signed it, sworn to it before Judge Nelson, & dispatched it. I also hear from N. Y. that the expected letter has gone to Boston. Yrs D. W. In Senate today, Allen notice^ put off, till Feb. 10. Ayes 32. Noes 18 — a pacific augury. {To Nathan Appleton.) PKIVATE. Washington, Jany 12, '46. My dear Sir. I cannot learn any particular reason, which has induced the Intelligencer to retract its confidence, in the continuance of peace. I have seen Mr. Gales today. He seems vexed at the " ruffian spirit " as he deems it, manifested in the H. of R. You will see that the Senate has postponed the subject, by ayes & noes to Feby. 10, by a majority of 14. 2 or 3 of our friends being absent, viz Morehead, Huntington, & I think one other. My own opinion is that there is not at this moment, a majority greater than 5 or 10 in the H. of R. the future may and will, probably, much depend on what we hear by the next Steamer. There is, certainly, rather a sober feeling on the subject, prevalent with the majority, — of the Senate. If things remain as they are, no ■ Concerning the famous charges of Allen against Webster's honesty while in charge of the Department of State under Tyler. 306 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER resolution to give notice will pass this body, at present, at least. Something is in progress, on the point which I mentioned to you, but what may be its success I cannot say. There is not perfect temper on either side. Mr. B^ is cold, stern, repulsive, & not very gentle. Mr. P.^ seems nettled, & a little excited. He seems to think his antagonists sharp, captious, & not always quite respectful. I have had several conversations with Mr. C* He is not likely to change his course. Yrs truly Danl Webster (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Jan : 14. 46 My Dear Son, Yrs was reed this morning, stating the receipt of the N. Y. letter. Mr B. & Mr Curtis are now here. I can only say I shall be infinitely obliged, if matters can be brought at once to a suc- cessful close. Mr Polk said to a friend of mine last night, that he had not the slightest apprehension of war. The administration must either have some assurances from Mr Mc Lane, of the absolute disposition of England to keep the peace under all circumstances, (which I do not believe) or else it must have a curious notion of the tendency of its own measures, & the declaration & speeches of its own friends. Still, I do not believe there will be war. Mr Allen's non interference Resolution was laid on the Table, today. Yrs affectionately D. W. Pray write me daily, the more especially as your family are not well. (To Nathan Appleton.) Washington, Jany 20, 1846. PRIVATE. Tuesday Ev'g My dear Sir, The news from England has undoubtedly had some effect here. It is generally considered that the new ministry, especially if ' Buchanan. ' Polk. ' Probably Calhoun. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 307 Lord Palmerston should take the seals of the foreign office, will probably be less pacific towards us than Sir Robt. Peel's govt. — I think it has been clear for 3 or 4 days, that the debate in the house begins to falter & lose interest. I do not think the violence exhibited there altogether pleasing to Mr. Polk. He seems to have expected that he would have been indulged in a monopoly of patriotic professions & self gratification. I am quite sure that he & some of his cabinet feel quite uneasy, at the present moment, in view of the blaze which they themselves have kindled. You are now probably wiser than we are as the Steamer will be likely to have arrived. I look with great interest to the state of things in England. What is to be Sir Roberts relation to the new ministry ? Can he go with Lord John for the repeal of the Corn laws, without separating himself from the conservative party, entirely .'' I confess I regret his retirement. I fear it will be long before a wiser, abler, or better man will be at the head of English affairs. In regard to a private matter, which I intimated something of to you, in Boston, I can now say, that somethmg has been done, which can hardly fail to be useful, here- after & done just in time, as the news of yesterday might have prevented it. We are in the midst of a very heavy fall of snow. D. W. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Jan. 27. [1846] Tuesday 3 o clock Dear Fletcher, The most important occurrence of today is, I think, Mr Bentons Speech against Mr Fairfield's Navy BiU. Mr. B. denounces the measure, as a war weapon, when, as he insists, all indications are for peace. His Speech will have some effect, I think, & give the war party trouble. I believe Mr Buchanan will leave the Cabinet, & go upon the Bench. There is — certainly — a difference between him & the President. The latter is much the most pacific. Probably Mr. Mason, at present Atty Genl, will take Mr Buchanans place. Everything looks more and more like peace — But then comes the great struggle about the Tariff'. Yrs truly D. W. 308 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER (To Nathan Appleton.) PRIVATE. Jany 29. Thursday 2 o'clock My dear Sir. We grow daily more pacific. Mr. Spaight has, today, followed up Mr. Benton, & Mr. Bagley in a decided anti-war speech. He denies that our title to all Oregon is plain; says England has rights there which must be respected, &c. I imagine the Cabinet is projecting something, or considering some offer. The altered tone of the Union is remarkable ; or would be, if it did [not] so frequently vibrate from side to side. Two equally pacific speeches in the H. of R. today, Mr. Holmes & Mr. Ewing, the new member from Tennessee. I wish I felt no more alarm about the Tariff, than I do at the present moment about war. Yrs truly Danl. Webstee. (From Lord Ashburton.) London, Jan. 1846 My Dear Mr Webster. Mr Spencer Ponsonby the son of my old & good friend Lord Roxborough is about to visit Washington where he wiU probably be connected with our Legation. He is himself an amiable steady & intelligent young man and I am anxious that he should have the advantage of being known to you. Excuse therefore my giving him these few lines of introduction. — Mr Ponsonby will explain to you, as far as a young Diplomatist dare explain any thing, the strange confused condition of parties here. Six weeks ago I should have said that my friend Peel was the strongest Minister this Country ever had, and was Ukely to hold the Government for life or at least till he was tired of it, but the scene has changed, a conspiracy called the Anti-corn Law League has frightened men who should have had better nerves, and some Coxcombs called Political Economists have turned the heads of our younger people and we are throwing overboard aU protections & running a race of what is called free trade, sur- rounded as we are by nations who like yours wiU have no free trade with us. I am very much opposed to all this, and hold mainly to the doctrines of your speech in Faneuil Hall on your Tariff, but the measure is likely to pass from a singular com- THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 309 bination of passions & interests which it would take me a much longer letter to explain than you would like to read. In the conflict however the ministry will probably be shipwrecked, our whigs, who stoutly support free trade, will take the first opportunity to trip them up while the anger & disappointment of their own friends will render the task easy. This is my speculation and the only opposite chance is that there is no man or set of men having sufiiciently the confidence of the Country to take their place. In the meantime all interests are flourishing & prosperous, and I need not teU you that we are pacific if you wiU let us be so, for though we care as Httle, or probably less, than your men of sense do about Oregon we cannot afi^ord to be kicked.- — This Oregon dispute was mainly invented before we settled the Maine boundary, and when it is closed some new grievance wiU. soon be opened. As long as we are neighbors on the great Con- ' tinent which you begin to think should wholly belong to you we shall never really be friends, and I have long wished we could find a decent Excuse to let the work of Annexation be completed. — Pray let me occasionally hear from you my Dear Sir & present my very best respect to Mrs Webster. Yours ever ASHBUETON. '(To John Tyler.) Washington Mar: 5. 1846 My Dear Sir, You have probably seen a very extraordinary statement, made by Mr. C. J. Ingersol, in a speech in the H. of R. on the 8th or 9th of February, respecting communications from me to Gov. Seward, in the Spring of 1841 relative to the afi^air of McLeod. I have no recollection of having written any private letter to Govr. Seward, on that occasion; yet I may have done so; but I am sure never such a letter as Mr. Ingersol states. I must, at an early day, take some notice of these remarks. I think I should not have written any thing to Gov. Seward, private or public, on such a subject without first showing it to you, or to Genl. Harrison, if before his death. I beg now to inquire what you recollect, or whether you recalled any thing connected with the subject. 310 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER I wish also, particularly, to inquire whether the correspondence between Yourself & Gov. Seward, relative to Mr Spencer's act- ing as McLeod's counsel, &c &c was left in the Department of State or was retained by you. If left in the Department I think of calling for copies of it, if you see no objection. I re- member we all were of opinion that you answered the Govr's Com- plaints, very satisfactorily. I am, My Dear Sir, with continued good feelings. & good wishes, Yours truly Dan Websteb (From John Tyler.) Sherwood Fokest Chs City County Va. March 1^, 18^6 My Dear Sir; Your letter of the 5th March did not reach me until last night, and I delay not a moment in answering it — 1 have not the slightest recollection of your having written any letter to Gov. Seward during the pendency of the McLeod case — During your absence from Washington on a short visit to Boston a letter was received by me, in my official character, from Gov. Seward asking me to forbid Mr. Spencer, the U. S. D. Attorney for Western New York, from appearing in the defence of Mc Leod — I did not deem it necessary to await your return to Washington and answered the Governor's letter under my own signature — This led the way to a correspondence of some length between us, which as it related to a public matter and one at the time of much interest, I deemed it best to have placed among the files of the Department of State — where it no doubt is now to be found, and is subj ect to the call of any Senator — Mr Ingersoll's remarks in the House escap'd my observation, but upon seeing Mr. Dickenson's statement in the Senate, I was upon the point of writing to you and requesting a call for my correspondence with Gov. Seward but was rendered silent by the knowledge of your presence in the Senate and my belief that you would best understand what the exisrency of the moment might require — My desire is that the call should be made. Concerning the whole of that business the administration of which I was the head, has nothing to fear — The peace of the Country when I reached Washington, on the 6th day of April 1841, was suspended by a thread, but we converted that thread THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 311 into a chain cable of sufficient strength to render that peace se- cure, and to enable the Country to weather the storms of faction by which it was in every direction assailed — With some regard, I am Dr Sir Yrs &c John Tyleb. (To Robert C. Wmthrop}) New Yob-k March 20th (1846) Dear Sir, I have read this morning your speech upon "Oregon" & can not omit to say how much it gratified me. Mr. Ingersoll I think is well paid off ; nor does his countryman in the other end of the Capitol appear to be fareing much better. There is a good deal of panic here about Texas — It is well the country took the alarm when it did, as there is more hope of stopping the progress of the measure than if it had proceeded farther. From what I see in the American this P. M. a Mr. Todd, bearer of despatches seems to have been a good deal talkative on his road home. I shall be quite glad to hear from you especially if anything important touching Texas should become known. — Yours truly D. Webster (William H. Seward to R. M. Blatchford? ) AuBUBN March 23d 1846. My Dear Blatchford, Although I have been some days at home, I have not until now been able to look into the matter arising from Mr. IngersoU's Speech. I suppose Mr. Webster may have spoken long before this, and therefore these papers may be unnecessary. If he had written to me directly I should cheerfully have furnished him with any in- formation in my power, — and of course you can state to him the contents of this. ' The Massachusetts orator and statesman. He represented the State in both Senate and House of the United States Congress. ' Mr. Blatchford was one of Webster's warmest friends, and the latter was evidently sounding Seward through the former. 312 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER The points in Mr. IngersoU's remarks touching Mr. Webster are 1. That Mr. Webster wrote the Governor of New York a letter, marked "private", in which the Governor was told that he must release McLeod or see the magnificent commercial emporium, the City of New York laid in ashes — 2d. The Governor asked when this would be done .J" The reply was. Forthwith — Steam force will undoubtedly destroy N. Y. if McLeod be not released. But said the Governor the power of pardon is vested in me and even if he be convicted he may be pardoned. Oh no ! said the Secretary, If you ever try him you will bring destruction upon yourselves — The Governor was not entirely driven from his course by this representation. 3d. The next step taken by the Administration was to appoint a District Attorney who was to be charged with the defence of Alexander McLeod (Spencer) — and a fee of $5,000. was put into his hands for this purpose. 4th. The application to the New York Supreme [Court] for a habeas corpus, by Spencer, to discharge Alex McLeod. 5th. The Marshall was about to let him go when he was told by the Court that if he did so it should be at his peril &c 6th. The passage of the Act of Congress, taking away from the State Courts Jurisdiction in Cases like McLeod's. The Assembly of this State on the 18th of May 1841, called on me for the correspondence with the Federal Executive in the case of Alexander McLeod, and for information whether any arrangements whatever had been entered into by the E^cecutive with the Federal Executive, in reference to that person. — This Resolution wiU be found on the Assembly Journal of 1841 at page 1228 — McLeod was then before the Supreme Court, on a Habeas Corpus, On the 19th of May 1841, I replied to the Resolution by a Message of that date — Assembly Document 1841 No. 292. I stated in the message that no arrangement whatever, of any kind, or for any purpose, had been entered into by the Executive Department of this State with the Executive of the United States, concerning McLeod. I informed the Legislature that McLeod was then before the Supreme Court on a writ of Habeas Corpus, with a view to his discharge from costody — That I had no knowledge or infor- mation concerning the application for the writ, or the proceed- ings thereon, except what had been read from the newspapers^ THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 313 That the proceedings first became known to me when the prisoner passed through the City of Albany on his way to N. Y. City in custody of the Sheriff in obedience to the writ of habeas corpus — That the Attorney General of this State was thereupon imme- diately instructed to resist the motion for the discharge of the Prisoner, and at the same time I had remonstrated with the President of the United States against the appearance of the District Attorney of the United States as Counsel for the Prison- er — And the Attorney General of N. Y. was then attending the Court. 23 pages accompanied the Message — No 1. The letter of the Governor to the Chief Justice of N. Y. dated Feb 15, 1841, requesting him to hold the Court of Oyer and Terminer to try McLeod. No 2. A letter from Mr. Forsyth, Secretary of State under Mr. Van Buren, to the Governor, transmitting the original corre- spondence between Mr. Fox and Mr. Forsyth, of December 1840— These letters are Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, No. 9, was a letter of the Governor to Mr. Forsyth, Feb. 27, 1841, approving the decision of the President (Van Buren) in regard to McLeod, and pledging the State to support that posi- tion. No 10, A Letter from John Bell, Secretary of War to the Governor transmitted by Major General Scott, directing him to make a requisition of troops to keep peace on the frontier. 11. The Governor's reply to the Secretary of War complying with the requisition for troops. 12. A Letter from the Chief Justice of N. Y. March 15, 1841, saying that the trial of McLeod was unavoidably postponed — 13. A Letter from the Governor to the Chief Justice — 14. Letter from same to General Scott — 15. Letter to the Attorney General at Lockport March 18, 1841. 16. A Letter from the Governor to Mr. Webster, informing him that McLeod's trial would not come on at that term of Court. 17. A Letter from the Governor to Mr. Webster, dated March 22, 1841 after Mr. Crittenden's visit on consultation with him, and referring to the renewed demand of the British Government for the surrender of McLeod — and reaffirming the previous de- termination of the Governor on that subject. 314 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER No. 18, 19, Report of Willis Hall Attorney General, and Letter of the Governor to Mr. Webster, transmitting it to him.'' — No. 20. A letter from the Governor to the President of the U. S. protesting against Joshua A. Spencer (Dist. Atty. U. S.) appearing in behalf of McLeod in Supreme Court. No. 21. The President Tyler's reply. No. 22. Correspondence with Lord Lyndenham. When I was in New York City early in March 1841, Mr. FiU- raore met me there on his way home from Congress, told me he was requested by Mr. Webster to hurry on to meet me, and see whether I, with Mr. John C. Spencer (Secretary of State of N. Y.), could not devise some plan to get McLeod discharged — He told me that despatches had been received by Mr. Fox from his government, and their effect communicated by Mr. Fox to Mr. Webster, which was that war would follow a refusal to dis- charge McLeod, and that conditional instructions were already understood to have been given to a squadron then on or near the Coast. Mr. Fillmore told me Mr. Crittenden the Attorney Gen- eral of the United States would be in Albany in a few days charged to communicate on the part of the Government of the United States with me — I proceeded to Albany and found there a letter from Mr. Webster, marked "Private", dated March 17th 1841, I send you a copy of this letter Mr. Crittenden arrived at the same time — say March 21, or 22 — He held a consultation with me, in presence I think of Mr John C. Spencer and perhaps of Mr. Collier. In that interview Mr. Crittenden submitted to me his instruc- tions from Mr. Webster, together with a copy of the renewed correspondence between Mr. Webster and Mr. Fox in which the latter demanded apparently an immediate discharge of McLeod, and the former admitted that he ought not to be detained. — Mr. Crittenden in behalf of the Federal Government and in the spirit of his instructions (afterwards published) asked me to sur- render McLeod to the Federal Government — I inquired the consequence of refusal.'' He said that of course War would follow, as the correspondence of Mr. Fox implied I asked when — on what event, whether if we refused to surrender McLeod, or if we proceeded with the trial of McLeod or if he should be executed. Mr. Crittenden replied "if he was executed." I an- swered Mr. Crittenden that I thought his instructions did not present that point. He thought they did: but on looking at THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 316 them found it otherwise. He then authorized me to assume that War was not to come unless McLeod should be executed. I then assured Mr Crittenden, first, that McLeod could hot be convicted because, I had undeniable evidence, that he was not guilty — Second — that if convicted wrongfully or rightfully, yet as the crime was pronounced by the Governments of Two of the most enlightened nations on earth to be merely a constructive one I should deem it my duty in that case to interpose my Con- stitutional power to prevent the sentence from being executed. The result was my adherence to my decision that McLeod should not be surrendered but should be tried by the Courts of this State. With these explanations Mr. Crittenden was satisfied — and he promised to communicate these views to the President and to Mr. Webster. He assured me also that in his opinion the Admin- istration would approve of my decision, and would suffer the pro- ceedings in relation to McLeod to take their course. I replied to Mr. Webster's private letter by a letter marked private, a copy of which I send — and by a public letter I reiter- ated the same decision — The papers submitted to me by Mr. Crittenden were then con- sidered private, because not yet made public at Washington. At the next meeting of the Legislature, January 1842, 1 trans- mitted to that body all these papers except the letter marked private ; together with the correspondence between myself and the President and Secretary of State and other officers relating to the proceedings against McLeod. All these papers will be found in the Assembly Documents No — for the same year 1842. Neither Mr. Crittenden nor any other person wrote to me the result of his report after his return to Washington. I learned by the Debates in the British Parliament that the Government of the United States adhered to the policy expressed in the corre- spondence submitted to me by Mr. Crittenden, instead of adopt- ing that I had proposed to him. I advised Mr. Crittenden while he remained at Albany that Mr. Spencer was Counsel for Mc- Leod and therefore ought not to be appointed District Attorney, unless that relation should be discontinued, He was nevertheless appointed. There is a long published correspondence between the President and myself on that occasion. It is well understood that Mr. Spencer received $5000. from the British Canadian Authorities 316 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER In regard to the application made to the Supreme Court of the State of New York for the Discharge of McLeod — the pro- ceedings are notorious, and the Correspondence is full of them. I know nothing of the Marshall's being about to let the Prisoner go — and his being threatened by the Court that if he did he should fill the prisoner's place — but I remembered that the Sheriff of New York expressed a doubt about receiving him into custody and the Court obliged him to do so — ^with some such menace — Of the passage of the act of Congress in regard to the Juris- diction of the State Governments, I have no information, other than what is public. My dissatisfaction with all the proceedings of the Federal Government on this occasion, was not secret. It is expressed in all the Correspondence. You know how much I was misapprehended at Washington when it was said as it was all over the Country and in Europe that I was determined to sacrifice McLeod, or at least to involve the Country in War. I appealed to Mr. Crittenden by a private letter to vindicate me with the administration, and recalled the whole transaction to his mind in which I had given him assur- ances to the Executive that McLeod could not in any event be executed, and so in no event could there be war. He however made me no reply. I appealed to the President (Tyler) and sought to disabuse his mind. But all was of no avail. I have never affected any secrecy in this matter The Ad- ministration of 1841 took its ground and I mine. They were well understood to be different grounds. After a proper time of disclosures I have never made any secret of my vindication — Mr. IngersoU asked me for the facts — I gave them to him as I have done to a thousand others, without reserve, I did not indeed expect him to use the statement where and as he did — But I expressly stated that I affected no confidence — It is not for me to examine on this occasion the accuracy of his report of my convention with him. This letter written hastily is so far private that it must not pass out of your hands nor be copied — It may be shown to Mr. Webster or any friend of his under this injunction. I remain Dear Blatchford Very truly yours William H. Sewaed THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 317 (From John Tyler.) Sheuwood Forest Charles City County Va. April 21. 1846 My Dear Sir ; Your letter dated the 14 Inst, reached me by our last mail and I lose no time in acknowledging its receipt. The dis- position made by yourself and Mr. Bartley of the call for the correspondence between Gov. Seward and myself was altogether appropriate — I desire its publication merely as a matter of history and as containing an explanation of my course upon the subject to which it related. I read with much satisfaction your speech in answer to the objections urged to the Treaty of Washington, and unless I am totally deceived I think you have put them forever at rest, at least with the Country — I am also pleased to learn that you design the publication in a more durable form than at present exists, of the correspondence to which the negotiation gave rise — To yourself I am disposed to leave the selection of such documents as may properly enter into the compilation. Having full con- fidence that whatever is done will be best calculated to develop the feelings and motives of the administration — My opinions on the right of search and most of the other questions involved, were plainly expressed in my messages to Congress. I have reviewed the whole procedure, from time to time, in association with the final result and I cannot withhold the remark, that if we had consummated no other act than the Treaty, we should have better deserved any other fate, than the violent and unjust denunciation to which we have been subjected. The Newspapers had brought me acquainted with the proceed- ings of the H. of R. touching the secret service fund, and I regarded them as quite extraordinary — Who submitted the paper to Mr IngersoU's inspection I cannot as much as conjecture Mr. Stubbs the confidential agent of the fund, had the exclusive possession and knowledge of them upon my leaving Washington, and I do not think that he would have volunteered to make them public — i^s to the disposition which the President may make of the House resolution I certainly have no feeling, and I doubt not that you are equally indifferent — This fact I think it proper to mention lest it should escape your attention, that Mr. Van Buren with not one half the weighty matters to dispose of that occurred during my time left a balance of but $1600 — of the fund, all of which was consumed in payment of engagements 318 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER made by him prior to his leaving office — Swetszer and Tappan for example received upwards of $10,000 for bearing despatches &c to S. American States — My balance exceeded $28000 — Considering the many important negotiations which were con- summated, and matters disturbing to the tranquility of the U. States which were quieted, I think I have a right to be regarded in any other light than as wasteful and extravagant — Truly Yrs— John Tyleb (From Francis 0. J. Smith.) 26 — Washington St Boston, Apr. 30/46 My Dear Sir — According to the published accounts of IngersoU's slanders, the vouchers in the State Department so far as I am concerned are eroneous beyond $1500 — But that error is easy of cor- rection — I write now only to assure you, that I am ready to bear testimony, if need be, in the fullest manner to your vindication, & explain, in a way to put your assailants to shame, all that concerns my agency as to the Boundary question — I say this, as I suppose you may desire to know on what to count, amid the treacheries and ingratitude of this censorious age — Ever truly & devotedly Your friend & Obt Servt, in haste Feancis O J Smith (By Peleg Sprague.) Boston May 27. 1846 I hereby certify that in May 1842, at the particular request of the Hon. Daniel Webster, then Secretary of State of the United States, I went from Boston to Augusta in the State of IMaine, to be present at the meeting of the Legislature of that State, which had been convened by the Governor for the purpose of considering and determining the question, whether Commis- sioners should be appointed to represent that State at the then proposed negotiation between the United States and Great Britian respecting the North Eastern Boundary — THE NATIONAL STATESM.\N 319 The purpose of my Mission was to represent the views of the Secretary of State to the Governor and the Legislature — For this purpose I called on the Governor at different times, and the subject of appointing such commissioners having been referred to to a very large Committee of the Legislature ; by their invitation I met that Committee and, in a full and free conference, endeavored to make known to them the views of the Secretary, and particularly as to the importance of appointing Commis- sioners with fuU power. After my return to Boston, and some time in the Summer of 1842, I received from Mr. Webster, then at Washington the Sum of two hundred dollars, by check on the Merchant's Bant of Boston, as I think, for which I gave no receipt, but acknowl- edged it in a note to Mr. Webster. The above sum, was, in my judgment, not more than a just and reasonable compensation, for my services and expenses. Double the amount would not have induced me at that time, in my then state of health, to have made the journey had it not been connected with the pubUc interest. Peleg Spkague (Memorandum on the Ingersoll Charges.^) [1846] Mr Ingersoll 3. charges. 1. Unlawful use of the contingent fund. I wholly deny it. The statement is indistinct, but substantially false. 1. I had no power of directing the money to be placed in my hands. — The course was this. Very important things were pending, calling for small expenditures out of the fund, from time to time. The President saw fit to give an order, for small amounts, from time to time, to be accounted for, by me, as vouchers were reed. — Leaving no considerable sums in my hands, at any time; although it would of course sometimes happen, that sums were paid, & vouchers not reed, till after- wards. The President never gave a certificate to cover a dollar, till he was satisfied — & I only took them [vouchers] to ' These notes are in Webster's own hand. 320 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER show him that the money had been duly applied, to objects stated & approved by him. We were not of course careful to get such vouchers, as if we were to settle an account before an Auditor. All was confidential, & intended to be secret. Then, in the first place, it is not true that I directed the Accountant to place money in my hands. The direction was the President's. 2. There never was such a sum as 15,000, or anything like it in my hands at once. When one small sum was exhausted, or new uses were expected, the President directed the necessary pay- ment to me, & not otherwise. I know not how this alleged sum of 15,000 is made up; as it is three times as much as the whole amt. covered by the President's Certificate, while I was Secretary of State. 3. It is utterly false that I ever drew a doUar, of which the President was ignorant. I could not draw a dollar, of my own authority, & never did. Nobody but the President had authority. He is disbursing agent of this fund. See opinions of Atty. Genl. 4i. The money paid to Mr. Crittenden was paid by order of President Harrison, in May 1841. It probably stood w't. [with- out] a voucher, for sometime, but afterwards Mr. Crittendens receipt was taken, the item carried to the public account of the expenditure out of the Contingent fund, & was pubhshed, in course, in the Treasury accounts. This is as I remember that transaction. 5. Alexander Powell's employment was in 1841. — It was of a secret nature, & it is altogether wrong, & a breach of the faith of Gov't, to publish his name. He rend, valuable services on the frontier, connected with the preservation of the peace of the Country. 6. F. O. J. Smith never was sent to the Frontier. He was employed, in the negotiation at Washington 1842. 7. Mr IngersoU says; there is a credit of cash returned, $5.000 — & asks why return it, if taken for a public purpose.'' The answer is, simply, because it turned out not to be wanted. Not being wanted, it was of course to be "returned," & not kept. — I have no recollection of this ; but if such a " return " appear, that must have been the reason. 8. As to the balance of 2.290 agt me, on the " closing of my accounts." This cannot be true. If it means only, that at a particular time this sum was not covered by vouchers, it may be THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 321 so, or it may not; but if it means that this sum was a balance in my hands after deducting all payments actually made by me, & all charges on the fund, then it is not true. 9. As to the 17.000 dollars said to be in my hands, "agt. former usage," I can only say that I know not how it is pretended that this amt. is made up ; nor do I know what the " former usage " was. I only know that I acted as the President directed ; applied aU that was appHed, to objects authorised by him, & rendered him such returns & vouchers, as satisfied him, as to all amounts which were to be covered by his Certificate. 10. Corrupting the Party Press (what party?) As to this, I can only say that I never directed a doUar to be paid to any Editor, Printer, or other person connected with the press. — I have no recollection of any such letter as is said to be found from Mr Smith — Nor has he any letter from me, requesting or approving any " corrupting of the Party Press." — ^Mr. Smith had been a member of Congress ; was a reputable man in Maine, & had the confidence of the leading public men, & the popular party. His services were thought to be important; they were aU honest, so far as I know, and I am sure, so far as I intended. It cannot be right, unless in a case of Jiigh importance to drag his name before the public, as connected with a transaction in which the law promised him confidence & secrecy. As for my justification, it is enough to say, that in all the other cases, the money was paid by the Presidents direction. 11. I do not remember the report of Mr Roy ce. — I recollect purchasing various maps & Charts — some of them at high prices — one especially — which I had become acquainted with in 1838 — & which I learned the British Consul then wished to buy — at almost any price, as it had a red line on it — supposed to have been placed there, by Mr Jay. I bought this, at my own risk, in 1838 — afterwards gave it to the Agent of Maine, Mr C. L. Davis, who paid for it. At the time of the Treaty it was sent to the Dept. — Mr Davis was refunded what he had paid for it — & the map is now in the Dept. My correspondence with Mr. Stubbs, and the papers will shew how the account was settled. The President never wrote me on the subject at all. I believe Mr Stubbs said, in one letter, that the President was anxious to see the account settled — ^which was very proper. Mr. Tyler was cautious, as to making expenditures from the contingent fund — & used much less of it than his pred- ecessor. See his letter to me. 822 LETTERS OP DANIEL WEBSTER (A Proposed Retraction by Mr. Ingersoll.) Whereas the Honorable Charles J. Ingersoll, in his speech on the Oregon question in the House of Representatives, on the 9th of February last, made certain charges against the Honorable Daniel Webster respecting a private correspondence aUedged to have taken place between him and the Governor of the State of New York in March 1841 on the subject of the imprisonment of Alexander McLeod ; And Mr. Ingersoll on the 9th instant, in the House of Representatives made other charges against Mr Webster respecting certain alledged transactions in the Depart- ment of State, and Mr Ingersoll having made known to the undersigned that those charges were founded on information which he has ascertained to be entirely without foundation in truth and feeling a desire, voluntarily and promptly to do ample justice to Mr Webster, it is proposed by Mr Henry D. Foster of the House of Representatives, on behalf of Mr Ingersoll, that latter will rise in his place in the House to day and make the following statement, towit, " It will be recollected by the House that in my remarks on the Oregon question on the 9th of Feby' last I made certain charges against the Honorable Daniel Webster respecting a private correspondence which I had been led to believe had taken place between him and the Governor of the State of New York in the month of March 1841 respecting the im- prisonment of Alex£inder McLeod — It will also be recollected by the House, that on the 9th instant I made other charges against Mr Webster alledging that certain transactions had taken place in the State Department at the time he was Secretary of State — Now, in justice to Mr Webster and to myself I embrace the earliest opportunity to say that the charges to which I referred were founded on information which I have since ascertained to be entirely erroneous — that I was entirely misin- formed — and that I therefore withdraw those charges altogether, and with pleasure retract any derogatory expressions towards Mr Webster made on either occasion, by which they may have been accompanied " It is therefore proposed on behalf of Mr Webster by T. Butler King and Robert C Schenck of the House of Representatives that on tomorrow tuesday the 14th inst — That Mr Webster, with the published remarks of Mr Ingersoll before him — will rise in his place in the Senate and say : — " Mr President, It was with unaffected pain, as I then stated, that in the remarks which I made in debate here a few days ago, in THE NATIONAL STATESMAN reply to the Hon Senator for New York (Mr Dickinson), I felt compelled to notice and comment on a speech made by the Hon Charles J. IngersoU of the House of Representatives, an extract from which had been pubhshed by the Senator from New York with his speech. Now sir, I recur to that subject for another and more agreeable purpose. I find in the report of proceedings yesterday in the House of Reps., as -published in the Union newspaper of last evening, that Mr. IngersoU has done me the justice to state publicly, in explanation to the House, that the charges which he had made against me in that speech of his on the 9th of February last, in relation to a correspondence with the Gov. of New York in 1841, as also other charges & averments, in relation to my conduct when I was Secretary of State, which he made in the House of Reps. on the 9th of this month, on occasion of his offering a certain resolution of inquiry as to the expenditure of the secret service fund, were founded on information which he has since ascertained, & became satisfied was entirely erroneous ; & that he has with- drawn therefore altogether those charges as groundless, & has retracted the expressions derogatory to my character with which they were accompanied. In this state of the case I am ready to meet that retraction of Mr IngersoU in a like spirit. I take this opportunity therefore of saying to the Senate, that my remarks & comments upon Mr IngersoU & his speech which I made here, having been founded entirely upon his charges & averments in regard to myself, the occasion being taken away, those remarks & comments faU to the ground; & may be forgotten with the cause & circumstances which produced them — " [Handwriting changes here.] This paper was drawn up after a conference and consultation between Mr Henry D Foster, who had been requested by Mr In- gersoU to act for him — and myself. After it was drawn I placed it in Mr Foster's hands to be shown to Mr IngersoU — In a day or two he returned it, saying that Mr IngersoU thought that Mr Webster should begin any explanation, which might take place — I told him that was impossible — Two or three days afterwards the subject was again revived between us, and ter- minated in a similar result. On none of these occasions did Mr 324 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER Foster, say or intimate, that Mr IngersoU had any objection to make the declaration, which in this paper it was proposed he should make, provided Mr Webster would begin the explana- tion — To this Mr Schenck and myself decidedly objected, and therefore my intercourse with Mr Foster, on this subject ceased. T. BuTLEE King. (Hon. R. C. Schenck's statement m regard to Mr. IngersoU.^)' I acted with Mr King, in behalf of Mr Webster, in the attempt to adjust the difficulty between Mr Webster & Mr IngersoU — wrote the latter part of the paper prepared for that purpose as above — was present at the second named interview with Mr Henry D. Foster, & concur with the statement of Mr King in relation to what then transpired. Mr Foster said, Mr. IngersoU thought that Mr Webster should make the first explanation — ^this Mr King & I agreed was inadmissible. Mr Foster made no other objection, in my hearing, to the form or terms of the adjustment proposed. RoBT. C. Schenck. (From Francis 0. J. Smith to Fletcher Webster.) Boston May 8th. /4!6 My Dear Sir — On Monday last I met our Mutual friend at Portland — I had previously, written your father, of my readiness and ability to explode IngersoU's slanders — Give yourself no apprehension so far as I am concerned — My early letter to your father will cover more vouchers, than he has filed, if need be — and bring the Govt, in his debt — But this is inter nos, until I see you. I think it best to force the Govt, to summon me — I have not yet been summoned — & dont wish to put myself in the position of a volunteer — But the Committee will readily appreciate the propriety of calling on me for explanation. They don't yet see IngersoU's false scent. I have not yet seen your father — will if needful — But I know ' This heading is indorsed on the back of the paper. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 325 so well what is needed, you may trust all to the facts of the case, & my discretion, until I have occasion to see you. The world, the present as well as future, will see in this whole matter, nought but the envy of greatness, as in other days it was the envy of justice, that furnished a moving pretext of persecution. In haste, yours truly Francis O. J. Smith (To Edward Curtis.) Boston May 9, '46 Saturday 12 o clock My Dear Sir I came up from Marshfield last Eve', & found letters here from yourself, Mr W. & Fletcher. — The latest & most direct, was from Mr W. who said the Comee. had done nothing more than to summon Mr Stubbs, to appear before them on friday, (yester- day) — The N. York mail is not in, yet, today, as there was a heavy fog last night — My purpose is, in conformity to your suggestion, to proceed immediately to Washington — I shall leave Boston on Monday Morig — & N. Y. (nothing happening to prevent) on Tuesday Morning, with Mrs W. & Mrs Curtis — & get to Washington as soon as we can. I have seen Mr F. O. J. Smith. He thinks I have great reason to desire that the Comee. should send for him. He says everything is properly straight, & states a good many useful particulars. But I am, still, of opinion that we should, for the present, express no wish on the point of his being called. — / shall bring on copies of his entire correspondence with me. \ If I get a letter this forenoon, I wiU answer it; but just say to F. & Mr Winthrop, that I may not have time to write them today. I am really "rundown" with calls & visits, I have been so much whirled about that I am more fatigued, than when I left W.— I am glad to learn from Mrs W. that you are comfortably lodged, in W. Probably I shall hear from you at N. Y. Yrs ever sincerely D. W. 326 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Washington May 17. 46 Sunday mor'g. Dear Fletcher I rec'd your letter yesterday mor'g, the first, after having ar- rived home. I was a little sorry not to find you here, but do not know that your longer stay could have been useful. On the retirement of Mr. Petit, there arose a controversy about Chairman.^ Mr Vinton succeeded Mr Petit, accord'g to usage, but Mr BrinkerhofF moved that the Com^* elect a Chairman. This slight on the Mr. Vinton would probably have drawn him from the Comee. — After several meet'gs, in which little or noth'g was done, the question of charg'g a Chairman was de- cided, yesterday, in the negative, Mr. Davis vot'g agt. it. So Mr. Vinton remains Chairman. The Committee, as I believe, have as yet summoned nobody ; nor have they yet done with Stubbs, who, I suspect, does not behave as he ought. I believe there are only a few small mat- ters, connected with F. O. I. Smith's accounts, that the Commit- tee are not satisfied about. But this I do not know for cer- tainty. Probably Mr Smith will be sent for — We shall know tomorrow. Yrs ever Dani, Webster (To D. Fletcher Webster.) My "Dear Son Wednesday Moe'g May 20. '46. I wrote you a hurried note yesterday. After it was decided, by the vote of Mr. Jefferson Davis, that Mr. Vinton should remain at the head of the Commee, the ex- amination went on fairly. Brinkerhoff, from Ohio, one of the majority, moved to choose a chairman, say'g it was a "party Comee," and ought to have a party man, at its head ; or to that effect. This Mr. Davis, whom I do not know, appears to be an honorable man. The original mover of the mischief was Stubbs. He volun- teered to go to Ingersol, & give him information, upon some ' Chairman of the committee to examine the charges of Mr. Ingersol! against Mr. Webster. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN matter touching the McLeod case ; and then intending to disclose secret papers, but this led to Ingersols coming to him, & b'g let loose among all the vouchers & papers touching secret service money &c. &c. &c. Stubbs has been thoroughly examined, by both Committees, & has been compelled to do me justice. — I understand that on Monday the Com"^ came to the conclusion, that they would call Mr. Tyler, & Mr. F. O. J. Smith, & nobody else, for the present. — They want to know what the latter meant by "operat'g on the Press" &c ; & thought it proper that Mr Tyler should have an opportunity to state, to them, whether he justified or sanctioned these expenditures. He cannot but answer affirmatively, since there is his name, nor do I suppose he has the least inclination to evade any th'g, or to do me in- justice. He will probably be here, by the end of the week. Mr Smith is expected here tomorrow. After all, we must not be too sanguine of the result. It is a greater point with the party to injure me, & a little one to pro- tect Ingersol. Every party effort, we may expect, wiU be used, to prevail on the majority of the Com*'' to report someth'g, un- favorable. Nevertheless, the temper does appear, as I am well informed, to be materially changed. The subject has ceased to be talked of, in a great measure out of doors. The Com'' will hardly meet again till next week. As to a meet'g in Boston, it might be very well, if the Resolu- tions were guarded. They might be. 1st. That the Country b'g in actual war, must be defended, & its rights & interest main- tained, whatever opinion be sustained, of the necessity of its commencement. 2. That so, long as the war is waged for National defence, or public rights & interests, & appears not connected with in- justifiable purposes of ambition, or desire of aggrandizement, or acquisition of the Territory of other States, by arms, the Govt should be supported, in carrying it on, & in br'ging it to a speedy & successful termination, by all truly patriotic men, witht. dis- tinction of Party. ^^^ D. W. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Private. ,, „„ ,o.^ Dear Fletcher, . _ Mat 25, 1846. Mr F. J. O. Smith has got thro' his examination, & I believe all is very well, in that respect. Mr Tyler will be here, in a few 328 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER days, & I have no doubt will act fairly, & in a friendly manner. Indeed, he cannot do otherwise, since there is his name. There is one th'g — & only one — that I am in doubt about — It is relative to Mr Sparks. — I have a sort of recollection, that he charged a very low compensation, for his journey to Maine — that I paid it — ^that I thought it quite too low — that I asked Mr Tyler to increase it — whether he did — or if he did whether I ever handed the additional sum over to Mr Sparks — and forgot — or omitted it — I cannot say. I do not know that any th'g ap- pears about this — but if an additional sum was allowed Mr Sparks, & he has not reed it, he ought to receive it — I may have occasion to write you again on this subject, to-morrow. — I think Judge Sprague was paid $200 — Please ask him how that was — I believe no receipt was found — please ask him to say, in a Certificate, that he made a journey to Maine, at my request, on business connected with the North Eastern Boundary, for which he rec'd from me, at the time, $200 — Please attend to this by return of mail. Yrs D Webster (To D. Fletcher Webster.) FKiDAY. 3 O clock. (May 29, 1846) Dear F. Mr Tyler has finished & signed his Deposition. They say he has cleared every th'g up— tak'g the whole on himself — &, as Mr Curtis says, "has given Mr. W. quite a character." — - — I rec'd yrs enclosing the Certificate this mor'g — all right — ■ I will write again respect'g Mr S. — All well, at home. I rather suppose the inquiries of the Comee are closed, now; tho' I do not know it. Yrs ever D.W. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) May 31. 1846. Sunday mor'g. Dear F. Mr Tyler has got thro, with his evidence before both Com°*° — His testimony is full, complete, & conclusive. He differs essen- THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 329 tially from Stubbs ; & Stubbs' conduct appears so bad, that if Mr Buchanan has any sense of justice, he will turn him out of office. I doubt whether the Com'^'^' or Mr Ingersols Com^® will take any more evidence. They may examine Upton, perhaps ; if they should he can do hurt. Mr Tyler has closed up all that business about the Virginia Smith. I look upon the whole th'g as now thro', and perfectly well through. How the Com®"^ will report — that is, whether all the members will agree, or whether each Com"" will have two re- ports — majority & minority- — I cannot say. It is of no impor- tance, since the evidence will fully satisfy the public, both of the propriety of every th'g done by me, & of IngersoU's rascality, both in his charges, & in his mode of rumaging for evidence. I dont yet hear from our good friend Mr P. H.* — but suppose I shall tomorrow. Yrs D. W. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Sunday (May 31 1846). Dear F. The Com.ee will report tomorrow. Four members, viz. Messrs Vinton, Davis, Jones & King, agree. — one, Mr. Brinkerhoff dis- sents. The Report of the four repudiates & negatives all Inger- soUs charges ; that of the 5th imputes noth'g, of unfaithfulness or corruption ; but talks about delay in settl'g accounts, & other trivial th'gs. — so I understand. The majority recommend the papers to be sealed up, & kept secret, till the House otherwise order. D. W. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) June 1. 1846. Dear F. It seems now well understood that the administration expect to come to terms to England soon. I believe there is no doubt that instructions have gone to Mr McLean, of such a nature as Mr Polk supposes will prove satisfactory to England. Persons in Mr. Buchanan's confidence, certainly understand this to be so. ' Peter Harvey. 330 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER The 54.40^ men are a good deal cast down. Mr Buchanan says he has no doubts, now, that the dispute will be settled on 49 ; tho' this wd. have not have been the case, had he not claimed to 54.40. It is certain, too, that the President expects favorable accounts from Mexico — that is, that the Govt will treat; & perhaps in the mean time come to an armistice. Probably Genl Taylor will remain where he is till October, as the rainy & sickly season sets in next month. If this is resolved on, there will probably be no more fighting in that quarter, — at present. On the other hand, an expedition has gone agt. Santa Fe, & no doubt our Squadron on the Pacific will dash at Monterey, &c. &c. — These occurrences may prolong the war. Such is my fear — Yrs D. W. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Tuesday June 10. 46. 1 O clock Dear F. The Report is in — & so is Brinkerhoffs minority report — a minority of one. This last is said to be poor, weak, & con- temptible — & can do no harm — ^both are ordered to be printed — It is Cabinet day; & probably the Cabinet are now getting up a message to accompany the British offer, to the Senate. It is sure to come ; & in aU probabiHty will be in tomorrow. D. W. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) June 13. [1846] Dear F. You see that the Union says the Oregon business is finished in the Senate, & undertakes to give the votes. If he knows any th'g he probably got it from the President, or Mr Buchanan — If he is correct, there wd. be no further cause of fear, about this matter. — As to Edward, I believe Mr Smith is at the North, & that Ed- wards presence here is not now pressingly necessary. I hope he ' i.e., the extremists' claim for the northern boundary of Oregon. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 331 is looking well after employment in the Water works. His ser- vices as Captain or Col. are not likely to be soon called for — — ^As to Mr Greenough, when I go home, I will take somebody along from N. Y. to help finish up that business — — I think a treaty will be sent in, & finished, next week. In which case, I shall push right for Boston — As to Mexico, the idea here is, that the war will not last long. The settlement with England will tend to settle it — We shall have the President's views about revenue, &, in answer to the Senate's call, early in the week, as is expected. It is thought there will be an issue of T. notes Yrs truly W. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Sunday, P. M.— (June 1846?) Dr. F. The Telegraphic has told all the news — The Treaty will be signed & sent in tomorrow or next day — so, as I told you, the Oregon question is at an end. — Tomorrow the President will answer the call of the Senate — He will recommend a tax on tea & coffee — say 20 or 25 per cent — <^ an issue of T. Notes. Of. course, we have no news here today. Yrs affectionately D. W. (From Edward Everett.) (Confidential.) Cambridge 6 July 1846. My dear Sir Yours of the 3d reached me on Saturday. — I sincerely wish it were in my power to undertake the proposed review of the ne- gotiations at Washington.^ So strong is my desire, on every occasion, to comply with your wishes, that nothing but a real & ' The Ashburton Treaty. LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER overruling necessity prevents my undertaking it. But the pres- sure of my duties here, — great & severe beyond my expectation, — makes it impossible for me even to think of any thing else. — Instead of two or three hours daily, in which I was told the rou- tine of the work could be gone through, I find the whole day, from five in the morning till ten at night, too short for it, and my vacation, instead of being a season of repose which I greatly need, is filled up in advance with reserved labours. Instead of time for literary pursuits, I have not had two hours reading since I came here, and the quality of my work is worse than its amount, being that of an usher and a police magistrate com- bined. — You may remember that you repeated to me, (when I was bal- ancing about accepting the office),^ what you had said to Judge Story relative to the Law School, that it would kill me. But instead of standing it, as he did, fifteen or twenty years, I feel already as if rottenness had entered into my bones. But there is now no retreat. The step was false, but irrepar- able, — at least till its nature & effect upon my health & spirits are too apparent to leave any ground of doubt as to my duty, & then it will be too late.— You must not mistake the purport of this querulous strain. — It is in perfect good faith. I have not the slightest wish to return to public life, & had made up my mind at all events to leave it. — Nothing would have induced me to encounter the coarse violence, into which our party contests have degenerated. My wish was for strictly private life, and leisure for carrying out some literary plans. — I allowed myself to be over per- suaded, and I must abide the consequences. I deeply regret that one of the first of these is to hold back, for the only time, I believe, in my life, from anything which could however slightly promote Your Service. — With constant attachment Yours, E. E. (To Nathan Appleton.) My dear Sir N. Y. July 8, 1846. The state of the Tariff bill at Washington is such, that we shall need the advice of our best informed & most prudent friends, ' President of Harvard College. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN next week & the week after, & I write this, to bespeak your atten- tion, & to express the hope that we may hear from you & your neighbors as fully as possible. It would be very well, I think if some intelligent Gentlemen from Boston could spend the next ten days at Washington. Information on many subjects, wiU be very much needed. The first practical question is, shall we make any attempt at amend- ments.'' My own impression rather inclines towards two condi- tions. 1st. That we cannot make any thing of this bill, at all likely to satisfy the country, unless we can alter its advalorum principle materially, and I doubt whether we can do this, and consequently, it is doubtful policy to propose amendments. 2d. That our best chance of killing the bill, is, to put to the vote, just as it is. I should like to learn what is thought in your circle, on these points. With whatever chance of successful opposition I think we ought not to let the occasion pass, without attacking the whole principle of the bill, & exposing the follies of its detail. Pray take the trouble to book me up in these respects. Since 1840 I have not been brushed up, on Tariff subjects. My purpose is to oppose it 1st. as being wholly unnecessary, the tariff of 1842 having established a system, good for revenue, & good for protection ; & disliked by none but theorists, or abstractionists. 2d. Because a universal advalorum rate, is absurd, at this stage, in the advancement of political science, & if practicable, even, with proper guards, there are no such guards. 3d. Because it will destroy or injure, interests, which ought to be protected & preserved. 4. Because, if it have the effect expected from it, of a greatly increased importation, it will seriously affect the business of the country, derange exchange, & finally disturb the currency. I go south this P. M. Yrs truly, D Webster. (From James Kent.) ,, _ „. New York July 13—1846. My Dear Sir I ought before now to have thanked you for your Pamphlet containing your conclusive & admirable vindication of your con- 334 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER duct in the Ashburton negotiation. I read your Speeches & triumph over the foulest calumnies with the highest Interest & Pride. But my inducement this moment for this Epistle was not */i.a« benefaction, but to let you know how exceedingly I was gratified with a long extract from your Son's oration at Boston on the 4 of July, in respect to the follies of the day. It is clear, strong, pungent and stringent & written in the best style & spirit. I was very much struck with the good sense & truth. There is a mental epidemic abroad in the land. It infests every thing. Religion, Politics, Law, Physic, political economy &c — men are now crazy with one idea only in matters of Reformation, It shows itself eminently in abolitionism. Philanthropy, Tem- perance, Law Reforms, Punishment & annexations. Mr. Sum- ner's Oration was beautifully classic & eminently benevolent, but his mind is diseased manifestly so on certain subjects. Your son displays a most sound & powerful mind, & I beg leave to con- gratulate you on so distinguished a Paper from your Son. Yours truly (§• affect. James Kent (To James K. Mills}) Washington July 16 46 My Dear Sir I reed your obliging letter yesterday, & have complied with its suggestion. I was never more at a loss to guess about the result of a pend- ing measure, than I am about the fate of the Tariff vote. I have yet some hope, & shall not give that up, till the very last. You will see, in the proceedgs of the Senate today, Mr Dix's mo- tion about the Harbor Bill. This matter will afect the Tariff Bill, one way or another, very much. A good many things seem in agitation. I cannot clearly foresee the result, but will keep you advised, how things look. Yr truly D. Webster ' A prominent local politician of Boston. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN (To (?) Friday 5 O clock. [July. 1846] ? Dr Sir The greatest objection to the proposed amendment, which I have yet heard, comes from Ohio, & is founded on the idea that wool will not be decently protected. Pray tell us how that is — I wish Mr Saml Lawrence was here, or some other wool man. — Mr Simpson seems to understand the subject, but it is thought possible that his notions, in regard to wool & woolens may run in a particular line. Yrs truly — D. W. (To James K. Mills.) Tuesday July 21, 46. Dear Sir, I think it will be submitted in this form. Every man of busi- ness here — Whig or loco — Mr. Lamb, Mr. Simpson, Mr. Marlow, Mr. Peck of N. Y. — Mr. Chambers of Pa. &c &c— all, are for the proposition. Many Whig members are agst it — possibly, more or less on political grounds. I am sorry to say Mr Evans is rather violent against it — at least, abundantly decided. I think Mr. Davis is favorable to it. I shall keep off any vote, till Monday. If you have opinions, in Boston, please express them to Whig Senators. If all the Whig Senators go for this I have great hopes of carrying it. Yr D. W. (To James K. Mills.) Private. July 21. 1 Oclock. [1846] My Dear Sir I wrote you a note, two hours ago, enclosing a proposed amend- ment, &c — I hope to send you, by same mail, some printed pa- pers, tables &c — Now, you & your friends — & my friends must look these things over. — & say what is best. My wish is to do good, & save the Country. I care nothing for consequences to my own popu- 336 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER larity. If I can defeat this infamous Bill, & retain the principle, & the principal provisions of 1842, it is glory enough for me. If the present bill should pass, in its present shape, when can we repeal it? Certainly, not by this Congress. And though we might carry the House of Representatives, the Senate will he stronger against us, a great deal, than it is now. I wish Mr. Appleton would write to Mr Winthrop ; if he be in Boston. If not, I wish Mr. Winthrop might hear from other friends. The true difficulty — here — or at least one of them — ^is, that there are those, on both sides, who think much is to be made, hereafter, out of the Tariff, as a political topic. Yrs most truly Danl Webstee (To James K. Mills. (?) Wednesday 3 O clock [July 1846.] Dear Sir I wrote to Fletcher this mom'g, a letter to be shown to you.— ■ Noth'g of interest has arrived today, that I know of. Some motion, or motions, will be made from the other side. I shall vote for any th'g, likely to put off the evil day. Yrs D. Webstee. (To James K. Mills.) Private & confidential. Sunday 3 Oclock. [July 1846] My Dear Sir Things change their appearances so often, that ones hopes & fears, respecting the final result, successively predominate every hour. There is now reason to apprehend that Mr. Jarnagin has been induced to promise his vote for the Bill. If this be so, as I shall hope it is not, we must do our utmost to obtain help from other quarters, as our chance will be much diminished of killing the Bill, on a direct vote. Mr Niles speaks tomorrow. He will probably propose some amendment. If it be no very important one, such as to gain new support to the Bill, I shall be for agree- ing to it, that the bill may go back, (necessarily) to the House, THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 337 where I learn there is now some slight hope of putting an end to it. We may try a general postponement of the Bill, or a postpone- ment of its operation to the first of March next. If we can do nothg else, & the worst comes to the worst, I think, somewhat seriously, of proposing' a compromise. What wd our friends say to such an amendment as this, viz: "Strike out all the Bill after the enacting clause, & insert "That from and after the passing of this act there shall be a reduction, on all duties now established by law, whether specific or advalorem, of 25 per cent ; & at the expiration of 5 years from the passing of this act, a further reduction of 8-1/2 per cent — " I wish you, if you see fit, to show this to friends, & signify to me their general impression by return of mail. I do not by any means know that such an offer would be accepted. But it is possible. Perhaps a reduction of 33-1/3 would be insisted on, to begin with, & 17-2/3 more (50 in all) after the 5 years. Per- haps nothing of this sort can be done. All I know is, that Mr. Calhoun is much troubled, & his present feeling rather leads to a settlement of the question. I shall hope to hear from you by Thursday mor'g, & shall defer speaking, at large on the subject, till that day. Yrs very sincerely Dani, Webstee Under the expectation that the Bill may get back to the House, members there must be looked after. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Washington July 29. 46. Wednesday mor'g 6 O clock. My Dear Son, I wrote you on Monday mor'g, that if all things went, thro that day, as was expected, the Tariff Bill would be killed. But in all probability, you will hear of its final passage, before you receive this letter. I will therefore explain to you how we have been disappointed. Every thing depended on Mr. Jamagin's vote. If he could be brought to act against the Bill, its fate was sealed. I was sup- posed as much influence with him, as any body, & I exerted it, as 338 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER far as I could. I wrote him two private letters, as argumenta- tive, & as persuasive as I could make them. The last of these he showed on Saturday, to some Whig members from Tennessee ; & on Sunday, all the Whig members from Tennessee called on him, & he agreed that the Bill should not be permitted to pass. He wished, however, to br'g the Vice President to the necessity of a cast'g vote. I was desirous of gett'g some amendment into the Bill, so that if it should pass the Senate, there might be a chance, stiU, to defeat it in the House. Hav'g settled with Mr. Jamagin, what the course should be, & how his vote should be given, Mr. Gentry & Mr. Ewing of the Tennessee Delegation came to me, in the afternoon of Sunday, to communicate Mr. Jamagin's resolution. To prevent all mistake, & make the matter sure, I drew up a memorandum, A which I now enclose. Messrs Gen- try & Ewing carried this to Mr. Jarnagin, & read it to him. He agreed to it, & promised to vote accordingly ; with one imma- terial alteration, which was, that my motion should be to strike out, not the whole, but a part of the 9th Section of the Bill ; & that part he marked on the Bill, with his pencil. Thus things stood, when I wrote you last Monday. I went to the Senate that mor'g, and curtailed the residue of my speech, in order to br'g things to a close, before accidents should turn up. I had given notice, that I should conclude with a motion to postpone the Bill till the next session of Congress. But this I changed, in pursuance of the agreement, into a motion to amend. And now came quite an unexpected interference. While my motion was pending, Mr. J. M. Clayton made a motion, which by the rules of proceed' g, displaced or superseded mine; viz, a motion to commit, with certain instructions which you have seen. This motion he did not choose to withdraw. Everybody saw it was perfectly useless, but the Whigs could not well vote against it. Mr. Jamagin voted for it, & it prevailed. I understand Mr. Clayton says that Mr. Jarnagin assented to this. Others say, that Mr. Clayton importuned Mr. Jarnagin to countenance the motion, & support him in it. I know not how this was. But the proceed'g led to fatal consequences. The success of this motion necessarily put off further proceedings to the next day, Friday, which was yesterday. In the Eve'g of Monday, Mr. Jamagin's Whig friends could not find him any where till 10 Oclock. He had been at the Presidents, & when Mr. Gentry saw him, at that hour, he did not incline to talk. Yesterday mor'g, early, I saw Mr. Gentry, & with his concurrence, & indeed at his THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 339 suggestion, I wrote Mr. Jarnagin a third letter, as strong as I could make it, stat'g how much I was grieved by the proceedings of Monday, & beseeching him to relieve both himself, his Whig friends from the distressing condition in which they were placed, by a resolute & immediate conformity to the agreement of Sun- day Eve'g. To this letter, I reed an answer, which I herewith enclose. This answer showed that all ground of reliance on his vote was now taken away. On the meet'g of the Senate yesterday Mr. Lewis moved to dis- charge the Committee from the consideration of Mr. Clayton's instructions. You will have seen the proceedings. The motion prevailed, by Mr. Jarnagin's own vote. No doubt, he had prom- ised so to vote, the night before. This decision gave me an op- portunity to renew my motion to amend, which I did, & the mo- tion prevailed, not by Mr. Jarnagin's vote, for he did not vote on the question ; but by Mr. Benton's vote. And thus amended, the Bill was engrossed by the casting vote of the Vice President. Mr. Jarnagin declin'g to vote, & finally passed by the vote of Mr. Jarnagin. If the manner of proceeding, which was agreed on, on Sun- day Eve'g, had been permitted to be carried out, so that we could have brought on the final vote before the President & Cabi- net had had an opportunity of a meet'g with Mr. Jarnagin, I have no doubt the Bill would have been defeated. But at the meet'g at the Presidents, on Monday Eveg, means were found to fix Mr. Jarnagin's vote for the Bill. Yesterday mor'g at 10 Oclock, I saw Mr. Walker at the Capitol, & found him well apprised of Mr. Jarnagin's ultimate purpose. I would not impute any corrupt motive to Mr. Jarnagin. There are means of influence not generally esteemed positively corrupt, which are competent to produce great effects. But he falsified his promises, & has thoroughly disgraced himself, forever. As to his pretended respect for his instructions, it is all an after thought. He has said, twenty times, that he cared nothg for in- structions. Besides, on his speech on Mr. Clayton's motion, he took great pains to prove that his instructions did not reach the case of such a Bill as this. I must now say a few words, on another subject. You are aware that the amendment to the Bill, proposing to reduce certain duties 25 per cent, &c. was at first cooly rec'd at Boston. The idea of an amendment in this form, & to this effect, originated with Mr Edward Curtis. The amendment B 340 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER was proposed, by him & myself, with the aid of Mr. Chambers of Philadelphia, Mr. Lamb & Mr. Simson of Boston, & other Gen- tlemen, concerned in the various interests. After more full & particular information, the project obtained more favor in Bos- ton, & every where among business men. I have already given you my reasons for be'g in favor of this proceeding. It was, clearly, the proper measure, & ought to have been adopted. I think that Mr. Davis, reluctantly, the R. I. Senators cheerfully, Mr. Thomas Clayton & the two Maryland Senators willingly enough, would have supported the measure. Mr. Crittenden, Mr. John M. Clayton, Mr. Huntington, Mr. Berrien, Mr. Man- gum, & the two New Jersey Senators warmly opposed it, and greatly to my disappointment & regret, so did Mr. Evans, also. These Gentlemen gave different reasons. Mr. Huntington & the N. Jersey Senators insisted that the proposed amendment would not give sufficient protection. Yet, every man of business from their own States, said it did. Mr. Crittenden's objection was, in the first place, that he wished the administration to make it its own Bill, and to make it as bad as it pleased. In the second place, he said, there had been an understanding, that we should not propose amendments. As to this, I never supposed the un- derstanding went farther than this, viz ; that we should not pro- pose particular amendments, in favor of particular interests, so that, if these were adopted, the Bill might become less objection- able to some, but still be not satisfactory to all. There never was any understanding that we should not, if we could, make the Bill acceptable to aU the protected interests, & then pass it, if we could. This, we might have readily accomplished. My amend- ment, which amended so as to be someth'g more favorable to woolens, was the precise measure proposed. This would have been carried, with the assent of the Whigs. Mr. Walker not only told others, but said to me, he was willing to take it, was satisfied with it, & if the Whigs would agree to it, so that it passed, he should feel it to be his duty, in his next official com- munication, to say, that this ought to be considered as the settle- ment of the Tariff controversy. But the Whigs would not listen to it. You will have seen, in the Debates, the spirit which pre- vailed, especially in Mr Crittenden's speeches. The political Press exercised a mischievous influence. Looking itself only to political effect, it stimulated, highly, public men, who were look'g in the same direction. Members of the House took an interest against the proposition, especially Mr. Grinnell ; & none of them THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 341 would give it a help'g hand. Some of these Gentlemen expressed the utmost confidence, that if the Bill could be sent back, it would fall In the H. of R. Mr. Lawrence's last letter to me, (which he will remember) written after having just come from state street, said the opinion seemed to be, that the proposition might better come from the other side. This had some influence with me ; but the truth is, that find'g the unwillingness of the Whigs to come in & form a proper & permanent Tariff, I had fallen back upon efforts to prevent the passage of the present bill, altogether, rely'g chiefly, upon the chances of securing Mr. Jarnagin's vote. This hope held out till yesterday mor'g, & then failed leav'g no time [to] rally upon the projected amendment. Mr. Niles exhibited unexpected proofs of vigor, & ability, & acted like a man, throughout. The Bill will be finally disposed of in the House today. The administration expects to carry it by three of four votes. It is barely possible, that they may be disappointed. I wish you to show this letter to Mr Lawrence, & Mr Mills, & then preserve it, with its enclosures. I need hardly add, that I am sufficiently tired & fatigued, as well as annoyed & distressed, by these results of things. Yours affectionately D. W. (Memorandum} ) — motion to strike out the 9th Section — A Mr. J. to vote for it. — it will [be] then be struck out — — ^then, motion to engross — Mr J. not to vote — If the Vice President votes for the Bill, then Mr. J. to move to lay the Bill on the table. — This memorandum was carried to Mr Jarnagin Sunday Eve — July 26. — by Mr Gentry. He read, & declared in presence of Mr. Gentry & Mr. Ewing that he would follow the course & give the votes, as herein stated. B Strike out the first 5 sections of the Bill and the 7th, 8th, and 9th sections, and insert : "That from and after the first day of December next, there ' This memorandum, in Webster's hand, belongs with Daniel Webster's letter to Fletcher Webster of July 39, 1846. 342 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER shall be a reduction of SO per cent of the duties, whether specific or ad valorem, now imposed by law on articles of imported mer- chandise whereon duties exceeding 30 per cent ad valorem are now charged ; excepting Brandy and other spirits distilled from grain or other materials, and wines ; provided, nevertheless, that duties on articles, now charged with duties higher than 30 per cent, shall not be reduced below 30 per cent. Small tax on tea & coffee. (From Spencer Jarnagi/n}) Dear Sir [July. 1846]^ After a patient examination of all the circumstances with which I am surrounded, after hearing and duly considering all the arguments of friends, it is with pain I have to say, with my view of duty, I cannot concur with them, or conform to their wishes — I shall refuse to vote upon the engrossment of the bill, and leave its fate to be decided by Mr Dallas, but I cannot vote to postpone it, for reason I will give in the Senate — In this I have every thing to loose, and nothing to gain, save having done what I believed to be right, and if it brings upon me abuse of friends, and seals my political fate, I cannot help it. I shall go into the ranks and do battle for principle. Your friend Spencee Jaunagin. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Dear Fletcher, Washington Aug. 1. 1846 I have no doubt it would be agreeable to Mr. Westcott to re- ceive some civility, from Boston, on account of his remarks upon Ingersol's slander. Probably, he would accept a dinner; cer- tainly would be glad to be Invited. If you & other friends think best, let an invitation come, before the 10th. I am well — and beg'g to write out my Tariff Speech, & to get ready to go home Yr affectionately D. W. ' United States Senator from Tennessee. " " Rec'd [Tuesday] Monday mor'g, 9 O'clock. D. W." is indorsed on the back of this letter. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 34.3 (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Tuesday Aug. 4 — [1846] Dear Fletcher, Beyond all expectation, the Bill for the Old French claims will probably pass the House today^ — (I believe it has passed) — Give notice, immediately, that you propose to act as agent for claimants, before the Board — Set all yr friends immediately at work. I will help you do the business — & so you may say^ — though not publicly — stir quick. D. W. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Dear F ^^^ 6, '46. There is no doubt the President is desirous of putt'g an end to this Mexican War ; but how to do it is the question. We hear noth'g at all from Mexico — not one word; — & when she will speak, no one knows. The President I have no doubt is anxious to hear from her, but she is silent. Meantime, our troops are gett'g impatient, as well as in some degree sickly- — Camp duty is not what they listed for. Per- sons acquainted with country think it would be a hard job to march to Mexico — & the army is not strong enough, at present. The expenses are goi'g on enormously. So there is good reason for our Govts' desir'g peace, as I have no doubt they do. But the question is what shall be the next step ? Shall an armistice be proposed? Shall an extra mission be sent? — Shall the army push on, & fight its way through.? — Is it str'g enough for this, & well enough supplied? Will the money hold out? In my opinion, the prospect of a speedy peace is not very flattering, yet I hardly expect much more hard fighting — Mex- ico is an ugly enemy. She will not fight— & will not treat. Yrs affectionately Danl Webster. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Dear Fletcher New York Octr. 28. '46. I have felt obliged to decline the invitation to be at Faneuil 1 Thp bill was vetoed by Polk Aug. 8, 1846. 344 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER Hall, on the Eve' of the 6th. — There are several reasons — One is, if I speak at all, I must address the Gentlemen whose let- ter was presented by Mr. Dimmock. But another is. I must attend to my own affairs, there be'g, as you know, some things to be provided for shortly. — I wish you would send me two or three copies of my Speech at Baltimore, May 1843.^ Yrs affectionately D. W. You may read my letter to Mr. Stevenson, as it says someth'g of the state of things here. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Washington Deer. 10. '46. My Dear Son I have reed yrs of Monday, I am not aware that I have any paper, respecting the Spanish case, which was not left in Boston. Mr Pendleton is here, & has promised me information on the present conditions of that part of the Macedonian's case, which is yet undecided. My present purpose & expectation is, to arrive at Boston on Friday, the 18th, mor'g or Eve, accord'g to the weather, & to be ready, on Saturday, to consult with other counsel on the causes which stand for Monday the 21st. Of this, you may in- form Mr. Bowditch, 8f Mr. Bartlett. If anything should happen to put off the causes, let me know. You may calculate that I shall leave Washington on Monday Eve' — be at Phila. Tuesday noon — at N. Y. Wednesday noon, & thro' Thursday- — and, as before said, in Boston on Friday. My speech is to be published in Pamphlet form,^ forthwith. You will see how much the President quotes me. I am well, but we have very bad weather. Yrs affectionately Danl Webster ' Not published in the Works of Daniel Webster, but appeared in the Na- tional Intelligencer, May 27, 1843. See also Daniel Webster's Private Cor- respondence, vol. ii, p. 196, for Webster's comment on this speech; also Works, vol. V, pp. 135-137. = Probably the speech on the Tariff, July 2S-2T, 1846. See Works, vol. v, p. 161. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 345 (To Edward Everett.) Washington. Dec. 10" 1846 My Dear Sir, The memorial forwarded to me by Mr. Eliot,* was presented yesterday, and will be referred as soon as the committees are ap- pointed. I shall ask Mr. Evans to endeavour to hasten it through the committee, and have little doubt it wiU pass the Senate. It is my expectation to be In Boston two or three days the week after next, and should be very happy to be able to have an hour's talk with you, some evening. I pray to be most kindly remembered to Mrs. and Miss Everett. Yours always truly Danl Webster. (From Sherrod Williams.) ( Confidential. ) Feankfoet Ky Jan. 14th 1847. Hon. Daniel. Webster My worthy friend I am a member of the Kentucky Legisla- ture now in session, and am Chairman of the Committee on Fed- eral relations, to which Committee the subject in relation to the Constitutional right of the President of the United States to appoint the Commander of the state volunteer militia in the present war with Mexico Is referred for the purpose of enabling you to understand Clearly the subject to which I desire to call your attention I enclose you a copy of the resolutions.^ wIU you be so good and kind as to give me your views In relation to the subject and if you can spare that much time from sena- torial duties to throw your opinion into the shape of a report, you know that I have great confidence in your opinions generally ' A memorial from Harvard College asking to be allowed to bring into the United States a telescope bought in Bavaria without paying the duty fixed by the last Tariff act. ^ The following resolutions were inclosed: 1. Resolved, That the Committee on Federal Relations inquire into the con- stitutional power of the President of the United States to appoint and com- mission officers of any grade in the Volunteer Militia, when called into the service of the United States. 2. Resolved, further, that the said Committee inquire whether in the late exercise of that power by the President of the United States, the constitution of the United States and the rights of the States have not been encroached upon. 346 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER and more especially upon great constitutional ' questions I would rather rely upon your opinion than the opinion of any man dead or aHve. * * * Your true friend Sherbod Williams (To Sherrod Williams }) [Jan 1847] The Militia, is the Militia of the several States, & is not an armed force, belonging to the Genl. Govt. Nevertheless, the Constitution of the United States gives Con- gress power "to provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrection, .& repel invasions" The Act of Congress, of the 28th of February 1795, was passed, in order to carry this constitutional power into execution. It enacts "That whenever the United States shall be invaded, or be in imminent danger of invasion, from any foreign nation, or Indian tribe, it shall be lawful for the President of the United States to call forth such number of the militia of the State, or States, most convenient to the place of danger, or scene of action, as he may judge necessary to repel such invasion, & to issue his orders for that purpose to such officer or officers of the militia as he shall think proper." Similar power is given to the President by the same act, in cases of insurrection, to call forth the militia, on the application of a state ; & also to call forth the militia, when necessary, to exe- cute the laws of the United States. The President has the power of deciding when an invasion ex- ists, or is threatened, so as to make it proper to call out the militia. This power was frequently exercised, dur'g the last war with England. On the call of the President, it is the duty of the Executive Government of the State to order out militia, in Regi- ments, Battalions or Companies, as called for; & the troops so ordered out, are bound to obey. This is the only compulsory military service at present known to our laws ; all enlistments into the army, being voluntary. The power of the President to call forth the militia b'g limited by the Constitution and the Act of Congress to the three specified ' This copy is taken from Webster's draft of the reply to Williams. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 347 cases of Invasion, Insurrection, or forcible resistance to the laws ; it has not been resorted to, in the present war with Mexico, be- cause the service is a foreign service. The Volunteer Regiment, Battalions, & companies, which have tendered their services, & been rec'd in carrying on the present war, are placed on a peculiar ground. They do not belong to the regular army of the United States, nor are they militia, called out in pursuance of the Constitutional provision. They are voluntary Corps, either such as were previously or- ganized, under the militia laws of the state, or such as have been formed and organized for the occasion. In either case, they are officered by the State Govt. — But then the law of last session enables the President to appoint Superior officers, to command the Volunteer corps. It is difficult to say that this is unconsti- tutional ; because the whole matter originates in a call, which leaves it optional with the militia to come forth or not. The whole proceed'g is rather anomalous, as the troops are not regular troops, nor are they militia, called for, & ordered out, to meet the Exigency provided for bv the Constitution. In short, this invitation for the service of Volunteer corps, is but a mode of raising, expeditiously, a temporary or provisional army, des- tined for a short service. It is officered, in general, by the state authorities, and should be so, in all cases, as far as possible ; yet, as the service is voluntary, as the militia corps may enter into it, or not, at their pleasure, I cannot say that it is unconstitutional for the Genl. Govt, to retain & exercise the power of appointg the High Field officers who shall command them, or to place them under the command of officers of the regular army. This mode of rais'g troops is suited only to such occasions as are expected to require only a short service. Toward the end of the late war with England, & when it was feared the war might still last, for some time, the volunteer system was pretty much given up ; so inconvenient was it found for troops, serv'g under state commissions, to be act'g, for any great length of time, mixed up with, & subordinated to troops of the regular army. The great advantage of the Volunteer service, is, that it is generous, & patriotic, entered into more for the hope of honor- able distinction, than from the hope of pay ; & that it gives men, what they like, an opportunity of bear'g arms, under officers of their own choice. This should be preserved, as far as possible, so long as the volunteer system is resorted to at all. If the sys- tem is voluntary, let it be voluntary throughout. For the Volun- 348 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER teer corps have a voice, in the appointment of their highest, as well as their lowest officers. Let him be known to them, & be an object of their confidence, who is to lead them to the cannon's mouth, or scal'g the walls of the enemy's (fortification). To place others, by the appointment of the President of the United States, over the heads of their own officers, degrades the volun- teers, & depresses their patriotic ardor. They take the field, with the proud hope of serv'g their country, & doing honor to them- selves. As their objects are not mercenary, so their character & conditions should not be subordinate. If, in a moment of emer- gency & peril, their patriotism & love of country have called then| to arms, let the honors, as well as the dangers of the field, be theirs. In the past conduct of the Volunteer corps, we find ample assurances for the future. Never did officers or men sub- mit to evils & privations more patiently ; never did officers or men, behave more gallantly before the enemy. The veterans of years, have not stood more firmly under a raking fire from the enemie's batteries, or plunged, more daringly in the closest, thickest, & hottest personal conflict with the foe. In the opinions of the Committee, the House ought to adopt the following Resolutions: Resolved, That in accept'g volunteer militia corps, into the service of the United States, it is consistent with the true spirits of the Constitution, that the officers of such corps, of every grade should be commissioned by the State authorities. . Resolved. That for the purposes of a war, the employment of volunteer corps, is the best & safest mode of rals'g troops: most consistent with our Republican Institutions, most agreeable to the People, who regard large stand'g armies as dangerous, & especially important, as it prevents the accumulation of an enor- mous military patronage in the hands of the President of the United States. It may be, that they are right, who think that it would have been better, if the volunteer corps had been raised, by direct en- listment, for a short period, with a right to designate their offi- cers, but such officers, nevertheless, to be commissioned by the President of the United States, thus raising a provincial army, enlisted for a short period, with officers designated by them- selves, instead of accepting the services of the militia, in bodies already exist'g, or organized for the occasion. But the Govt, has not adopted this course ; it has called for militia Volunteers ; & hav'g done so, & invited them into the field, it ought not to THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 349 withhold from them any part of the honors or distinctions to which they are so well entitled. — (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Washington Jan. 25. 1847. Dear F. It is true, as you wrote me, that Edward has been badly treated. On the one hand, I think the Whigs in the Legislature are act'g quite injudiciously, & on the other the party, locofoco spirit, prevail'g among the officers is mean & miserable. Edward must take care to act with propriety, & look to the end. I have some doubts whether his Regiment will be ever filled. Bounty is given to enlistment into the regular service, for no longer term than volunteer enlistments. John Taylor writes me that he has p'd you $200 dollars; I suppose it is the same about which you wrote me. I hate to lay any new tax on Mr. Harvey, but if he could pick up a few more fees, I should be glad, as I have put off a thing he knows about, here, until April 1st & can put it off no longer. If you think it not pushing his kindness too far, you may show him this. I hope you will [look out for] a just provision for the volun- teers, without gett'g into any heats or quarrels upon the matter. The wisest th'g w'd be for Massachusetts not to act very diiFer- ently, in this respect, from other States. Yrs affectionately Danl Webstee (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Wednesday 10 Oclock [Feb. 1847(.?)] Dear Fletcher: The Peace rumours continue, & there must be someth'g in them. The Administration expects no more fight'g. They have someth'g, upon which they are now deliberati'g, & expect some- th'g more, soon. They have lost all haste, about their proposed measures. It is possible they may be disappointed; but it U certain they expect peace. Yrs D. W. 360 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Washington Saturday Feb. 6. 1847. Dear Fletcher I reed yr letter, yesterday mor'g, & was greatly relieved & gratified by it. I trust all is well. I wrote to Edward yester- day, & may write him again tomorrow — I have read your speech. It is a very good one, & well spoken of here, by all who have read it. I suppose there is no help for it, but it is true, that, in some things, our Whig policy in Mass is quite narrow. Yrs D. W. Mr. Walker's policy is ; — if he can get Congress [to make] to grant a tea & coffee tax, to propose a loan ; if not, to get along, as well as he can by T. notes (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Washington Feb. 7. 47. Sunday mor'g. Dear Fletcher. I reed your letter of the 4th this mor'g & am quite glad to know what is going on among you. I perceive by the newspaper that the House has mitigated its infliction on Potatoes, by strik- ing out 64, & insert'g 60. This will crowd them a little less, in the half bushel. Your letter gives me the very first information I have reed respecting the choice of a Senator. If the present incumbent is out of the question, as you state, my notion of a successor is exactly like yours. Mr. Winthrop must wait a little, & Mr. A.^ might be my choice. Govr. B.^ nevertheless, is a good man, & would make a good Senator. Nobody could object to him. Ho is true, & able, & experienced. Nor could the election of Mr. Hudson be objected to. He is quite an able man. I suppose his location is not quite far enough west. If Gov. B. be elected Senator, I really hope my old friend Lt. Govr. Reed may be chosen, at least for once. He is prudent & discreet, sensible & modest, & has been a steady, good man, in public life for thirty years. If he has no great positive popu- larity, he is yet a man whom no one can find fault with. How- ' Probably Geo. Ashmun. ' Governor Briggs. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 351 ever, I am not the best judge of these things, & you Whigs of the Legislature will set them all right, I have no doubt. The Massachusetts law laying a tax on passengers, is now under discussion in the Supreme Court. It is strange to me how any Legislature of Massachusetts could pass such a law. In the days of Marshall & Story it could not have stood one moment. The present judges, I fear, are quite too much inclined, to find apologies for irregular & dangerous acts of State Legisla- tion; but whether the law of Massachusetts can stand even with the advantage of all these predispositions, is doubtful. There is just about an even chance. I think, that it will be pro- nounced unconstitutional. Mr Choate examined the subject, on Friday, in an argument of great strength, & clearness, Mr. Davis is on the other side, & I shall reply. P. S. I have your kind letter, say'g that there had been a small caucus, in which Mr. D. had 50 votes out of 80 ; but that nothing was definitely settled. Mr. Davis' motives were quite good, in the course he pursued about the Wilmot proviso. But it was not fortunate. He is a man of good principles, & gener- ally very good sense. It does not become me, to interfere, in any manner, in the pending election, or to express any preference, or any opinion. I wish all the members of the Legislature to know that to be my feeling. All I have said above, is to this effect ; vz. that if Mr. D. is not to be re-elected, & if position (in the east end of the state) excludes Mr. Winthrop, then Mr. A. pre- sents himself to me as prominent, though both Gov. B. & Mr. Hudson are also among those, who are excellently well fitted for the office. (To Thomas D. Grover et al.) Washington Mar; 1. 1847. Gentlemen, I had the honor to receive, this morning, your very friendly letter of the 27th of Feby, inviting me to a Mass Meeting of the People of the First Congressional District, in Pennsylvania, on the Evening of the 5th instant, to testify their sense of services, rendered in procuring a Provision by Law for a Floating Dock Basin, & Rail- Ways, for the Philadelphia Navy Yard. I fear, Gentlemen, that I owe the favor of this invitation to too partial an estimate, which your worthy & distinguished Rep- LETTERS OP DANIEL WEBSTER resentative has formed, of the value of my cooperation, in that measure. I did no more than to support, with some zeal & decision, an appropriation, which I deemed essential to the Pub- lic Service, & eminently due to the interests connected with the Navy, in Philadelphia. My aid is not to be compared, in impor- tance, with that of others; least of all, with that so ably & so perseveringly rendered by Mr Levin himself. I fear. Gentlemen, that it will hardly be in my power to reacK Philadelphia by the Evening of the Fifth. I must therefore pray you to congratulate the Meeting, in my behalf, on the ac- complishment of so desirable an object; & to express to all your feUow citizens, there assembled, my respects, & thanks, & hearty good Will.i Danl Websteb. (To D. Fletcher Webster.^) Washington Mar. IT. '47. Dear Fletcher, I am detained here, beyond all my expectation, but the busi- ness is important, & at an important stage, & I must see it thro. I shall be able to stay but a day or two, in Boston ; that is to say, if I go south at all, for I ought to leave this place by the first of April. I cannot go at all, unless progress be made, in my. matters, of which Mr. Mills & Mr. Thayer have charge. I wish you would see Mr. Thayer, & let him know how short my stay must be. I wrote to Mr. Mills, sometime ago, to the same effect, I regret that Mr Harvey has not been this way. He is my reliance, for every thing kind & useful. I hope that by his aid, I may be able to pick up a few fees, to help pay the expenses of my journey. So much has been said about this journey, that I must now undertake it, if possible.* 1/2 past 3 O clock. I have been with Mr C. to the Depts — Yr papers were lin- ger'g in the Treasury, but we have hastened them along. A Warrant has gone to the Treasurer, & Mr McCuUoch said the re- mittance would be made, in course, tomorrow. ' This letter is the property of Mr. Chas. Roberts, of Philadelphia. ' In Webster's handwriting, but unsigned. " Referring to the tour into the South, which he did take in April and May. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN (To Edward Webster.) Washington, Feb. 6. 1847. Dear Edward. I write you this, in the hope you will get it before saili'g;* & I trust I shall hear from you every day till you sail, & also on your first touching land, any where ; & after that as often as you shall know of conveyances. I feel interest, of course. My Dear Son, in your success, in your new call'g. I am afraid of no unbecom'g conduct, no fear, on one side, & no foolish recklessness on the other. But I know the accidents of war ; & what I fear most of all, is the climate. Pray study to guard agt. the effects of climate, in every possible form. Take good care of Henry. There is no one else he w'd have gone with. I shall write you constantly. Yr affectionate father Danl Webstee (To Edward Webster.) Washington Feb. 22. 1847. My Dear Son We hear of your hav'g been tow'd from the wharf on the 18, but such has been the weather that I rather suppose you are at this moment on anchor in the outer Harbor. — I get Adjutant Genl Jones to forward this, that you may receive it at Brazos. We are quite well. Noth'g of political importance has occurred, for the last few days. A warm Debate has spr'g up in the Senate, between Mr. Benton & Mr. Calhoun, but I do not know that any thi'g important will come up of it. Fletcher is afraid you committed an indiscretion in tak'g a letter from Curzon ( .?) to Genl Almonte — I should think you had better rid yourself of it. I suppose it is only a common letter, but an American officer should not have in his pocket a letter to one of the enemy. I trust you will write me, from Brazos, & on all occasions, after- wards, whenever you can. We shall be full of anxiety to hear from you, & you must gratify us as frequently as possible. Henry's Family are all well. Yrs affectionately Danl Webster ' Edward was on his way to join the army in Mexico. 354 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER (From Edward Webster.) BuAzos Santiago March 17th 1847. My Dear Father — We arrived here night before last, after a very pleasant and quick passage of 19 days; and we are luoky enough to have no sick men. We march this morning for the mouth of the river, and then we take steam boat for Camargo, we are to await the orders of Gen Taylor — A part of the Carolina Regt left yesterday and the last three companies of Virginia Regt. arrived last evening — Henry is quite well, and sends his love to Aunt M — and George, he has been a little home sick, I think — We are all in good spirits and hope to have something to do — Excuse this as it is written on my knees, with every body speak- ing to me. with much love to all — your affectionate son Edward Webstee (To Edward Everett.) PEIVATE. Washington Mar. 21" 1847 My Dear Sir, There are two topics, on which I have intended to trouble you, for half an hour, on my return to Boston. But that return has been so long delayed, and the necessity of an early departure on a proposed visit to the South is so pressing, that if I reach Boston at all, my stay can only be for a day or two, and my interview with you, if I shall have one, must be brief. I have thought it might be well, therefore, before hand, to signify the subjects about which I wished to converse with you. Some friends of mine have collected my official letters and papers, written while I was Secretary of State, and propose to publish them immediately, in a handsome volume. You are acquainted, in general with all these ; and especially know every- thing, connected with English questions. In your private letters to me, you spoke kindly and favorably of some parts of the THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 855 correspondence with Lord Ashburton, and quoted flattering say- ings of other persons. You were also in the way of knowing what impression, if any, was produced, on the Continent, as well as in England, by the letters on Impressment, Maritime Law, Right of Search, &c. &c. Now it has occurred to me, that out of your own correspond- ence, and from other sources, you might possibly extract something, which it might be well to print, in the volume. This is the first matter, on which I wished a few moments of your reflection. You know, that owing to the quarrel between the Whigs and President Tyler, the Treaty of 1842, and the cor- respondence accompanying it were more coldly received, by our Whig friends, than perhaps they might have been under other circumstances. Probably you have noticed, that in France, Prussia, and elsewhere, where jealousy of English maritime ascendancy prevails, the papers on the subject of Impressment etc, were favorably received. Some of them, I think also, were well spoken of in Parliament. Your private letters to me are all safely boxed up at Marshfield. Whether you kept copies of such letters, I do not know, but I can easily put the originals into your hands, and will endeavor to do so, by the first of next week. The other subject is not of so pressing a nature. It is this. Fifteen or sixteen years ago, a collection of my speeches was published, to which you was kind enough to contribute an intro- duction to the second volume. That collection has been extended to three volumes, and contains speeches of a date as late as 1840. There are more recent productions, enough to make another volume. It is now proposed to publish a new Edition, to include all; with notes, some furnished by myself, and the rest by other hands. It is intended to leave out the law arguments, and to insert any miscellaneous or popular matter, in their place, which may be found. What I now wish to ask, is, that you would consider the propriety of enlarging the introduction, to meet the new con- tents of the volumes, and be a sort of introduction to the whole. If you will give this subject a few moments thought, before I see you, I will be greatly obliged to you. Yours always truly Danl Websteu • 366 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER (To Benj. F. Perry}) Washington April 5. 47 My dear Sir I wrote a short & hasty Answer to the very flattering invitation from your town.^ I am well aware, My Dear Sir, to whose active friendship I am particularly indebted for this signal proof of respect. I am afraid. My Dear Sir, that too much may be expected from me, in your quarter in the way of public speaking. I must reaUy beg of you, not to raise expectations in that respect. Yrs very truly Danl Webster (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Sunday April 18 [1847] Dear Fletcher: I have yrs this morning. I think I shaU be able to give some idea, tomorrow, of the time of our departure — & shall write, in the morning, to Col Perkins, & Mr Frothingham, as well as to you. Pray get yr Bill thro, about the appointment of officers in the Volunteers. Genl Taylor's popularity seems to spread like wild fire. They say it is likely to break down party division entirely, in the south and west. — The administration & its friends are at- tempting to induce him to come in, since they hardly expect to be able to keep him out, as a " no party " man. — So that they, who now have the offices, may keep them. Hence, it is well to place him in opposition to the Administration, not only as a Whig, but as a Whig attempted to be injured, & kept down, by Mr Polk & Co— rc'd Int. of yesterday Yrs D W. We are all — that is both — quite well — ' Mr. Perry was at this time an active politician of South Carolina, opposed to nullification and secession. He was later Governor of the Stale. See B. F. Perry's " Reminiscences," p. 62, for an account of Webster while in South Carolina. » Columbia, S. C. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 357 (To D. Fletcher Webster.) April 21. '47. Dear Fletcher ; I am glad you do not discontinue your correspondence, & hope you will consider me as being here, until you hear I am gone. I believe we are pretty much out of Mr. McCulloch's hands, at last, but he has done us all the mischief he possibly could. His report against Mr. Jebb's old claim is unfair, disingenuous, bitter, & endless. — How long Mr. W. will take to come to a decision, or what the decision wiU be, I have no idea, at present. We all wait. This horrid delay wiU of necessity cut short my journey. It will be too late to go to N. Orleans. It is now likely, if I can get away in a week, that I shall pass the mountains, in N. CaroHna, or Georgia, into Tennessee, & then home by the Ohio. Before I leave, I shall lay a plan, & let you know. I am quite sorry Mr Buckingham acts so strangely- — Your proposition is not only right, but necessary. Mr. Schouler is a good man. Please say to him, I am glad of his purchase, & shall be happy to be useful to his undertaking. AllweU D. W. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Washington April 27, 1847. Dear Fletcher I have been to the War office, but can do nothing for the Mass. Volunteers. The 10 Regiments are all filled. There must be an election of some sort, where the Regiment is. — I am off tomorrow. Our case is to be decided, positively, on Monday the 10th. Mr. Berrien & Mr Russell stay to take care of it. What little may be coming to me, will be placed to my credit in Bank, & I shall be informed — I hope then to be able to remit, for Mr Weston, & some other little things, in Mr Heeley's hands — I have made out to scrape together a little travelling money, though I hardly know how — 358 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER If you write on receipt of this, address me at Charleston, where I shall be tiU the 10th & then in Savannah tiU the 15— I shall write you from all places where we stop a day. — Affectionately Yrs D. W (To D. Fletcher Webster.) NoETHAMPTON July 6. Monday P. M. My Dear Son [18*8?]^ I thank you for yr letter, & am glad all are well. I am safe here, but have had some cold, for three days. I think it is goi'g off. — We shall have a long cause, & I prescribe to myself patience, moderation, 6f coolness. We begin tomorrow. Mr. Schouler is right. If Genl Taylor did that letter then the case is free from all embarrassment. We cannot support him — I am willi'g to hope, for the present, that he did not do so foolish an act. We shaU see. Mrs. W. says she goes to M. tomorrow, & takes down Dan, which is all right. If I have English papers, keep them in Boston. — Love to the Ladies of your family. Yrs affectionately ^^^ D. W. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Maeshfield, Sep. 26. (1847) Sunday morning. My Dear Son; It seems impossible for me to go up today; and as I intend being at Springfield, I suppose my being a little sooner or a little later, at Boston, is of no importance. Unless the storm shall prove of unusual duration, I think you may fuUy expect the Major and me, at dinner tomorrow, either at your house, or Mr. Paiges. I shall probably go to Springfield in the early train of Tues- day. — ' The year is not written in dating this letter but the allusion to Taylor's letter would seem to place it in ]S4S thongb possibly the famous "Allison" letter (April 22, 1848) is not referred to. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 359 I wish the letter to Mr. Curtis to be placed in his hands, as early as possible. Mr. Healeys suggestion is of great im- portance — The matter of the Resolutions should be closely seen to — . Please send Mrs. Bell this note, at once. I should be glad if all the notes could be delivered this evening. — I shall not prepare any long speech for Springfield — a few words, of exhortation and encouragement will be all. Yours D. W. (From Edward Webster.) New Ouleans Nov. 10th — 1847 — My Dear Father ; You will be surprised to learn that I am still here — ^but there has not been any way for me to go — My horses were sent to the Steamer Alabama, yesterday, and my trunk was on its way, when the Quarter Master sent me word, that if I could wait till today, he would give me a better place for my horses — so I concluded to wait. It makes no difference, as we shall have to wait at Vera Cruz — till a sufficient force can be collected to move with towards the City — Gen Butler arrived yesterday — I was introduced to him, and he promised to give me some thing to do, when we arrive in Mexico — I go to day by the Galves- ton — Gen Butler will leave tomorrow — On account of the long delay here, I was obliged to draw on you for $100.00 — which I hope will be the last time I shall trouble you in that way — The weather is oppressively warm, thin clothes are very comfortable. The town is filling up very fast, and it begins to look busy. With my best love to Mother I remain your affectionate Son Edward Webstee. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Friday Morning Dec (7) 1847. 11 O'clock. Dear F. I received your note this morning, and am glad you made a good stir among the children of Marshfield. — I have sent by this 360 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSl'ER mail, "bills for the relief of Sylvester Prince and Rufus Hathaway " — I also send $100., by mail, to " Mr. O. Rich, Fish and Provision Dealer, Federal Street near High Street, Boston. Yesterday we finished the argument in the New York Passenger tax case, and were to have begun the Boston cause, but Mr Choate has a turn of sick head-ache. The case comes on, on Monday. In these cases, I have no doubt, whatever, that the law is with us; but where the Court may be, I know not. I am glad to hear from your family, and a letter every day, or day or two, long or short, will be always most acceptable — I have seen nobody, nor been any where, but to the Court room and back. Your's affectionately D. W. Is it not time to hear from Edward ? I get quite uneasy about him. (From Edward Webster.) City of Mexico, Deer 8th 1847. My Dear Father — We arrived here this afternoon, and I have just learned that a train wiU leave for Vera Cruz, to morrow morning — We have made the march in nine days from Perote, to this place, a distance of 170 miles— and have lost but two men from our Regt. At Puebla, we joined Gen Cushings Brigade, which was composed of the 1st Pena the Mass — the 4th Ohio and a Regt of recruits — Our Regt made as good an appearance as any in our entrance into the City to day — We are quartered in an old college, which we hope to leave in a day or two — The news to night — is that a portion of the forces will [on] move to Cortrera ( .? ) in a week— and that Genl Cushings Brigade will form a part, in that case, in all probability I shall stiU retain command of the Regt — I have not had time to see more of the City, than I noticed in marching through this morning — I intend to give you by the next mail a sketch of our march — With much love to Mother — Yours affectionate son Edwakd THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 361 (To Edward Everett.) Washington Jany. 29 1848. My Dear Sir : I have received yours of the 26th this morning. It strikes me as being doubtful, whether you should deal with the subject of the maps.^ It would not be without interest, but if gone into at large, would necessarily require a good deal of preface. If the principal facts could be stated, in an abridged or condensed form, I should like it; but whether that can be done, I do not know. I am rather inclined against the usefuUness of a full and minute description. The proof sheets are sent to me here. In looking over one of them this morning, I find that in my letter to Genl. Cass I ven- tured to suggest, that our Treaty, so far as it respected the right of search &c, on the coast of Africa, or rather substituted a new and different provision might be adopted elsewhere. You are aware what has been since done, in Europe, and would naturally take some notice of it. My letter to you, and by you communicated to Lord Aberdeen, in which I discussed the attempt of Mr. now Sir Charles, Wood, and Sir Robert Peel, [to distinguish] between " Visitation " and " Search ", was I think never answered. You remember that Lord Brougham denied any such distinction. If I can help you in anything, please command me. I sup- pose you have Mr. Gallatins paper, read before the New York Historical Society, respecting the maps. Are you regularly supplied with our current documents here? Yours always truly Danl Webster. (From B. B. Tibbs.) MoNONGALEA CouNTY Va. Feb'y 1st 1848. My Dear Sir. I have the honor of communicating to you that your high and very commendable policy during the present Administration is duly appreciated in North western Virginia And that at a meet- ing of your fellow country men I have been empowered to express the same to you And also to enquire, whether it would be agree- ' i.e, in getting out the book concerning the Webster-Ashburton treaty. LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER able to you for your humble fellow citizens to use your name in connection with that of our ever Gallant and worthy Taylor, in the coming Presidential canvass. You may deem this premature, but allow me to say, that it will not be used any farther at pres- ent than a few of the discreet and politic Gentlemen of our party, and whom I here represent, may think prudent. Some are un- willing that instruction should be given to our representatives in the national convention whilst others strenuously urge that we cannot omit this opportunity of testifying our consideration &c &c Excuse my unceriiponious and hasty epistle. | Very Respectfully B. B. TiBBS (To Peter Harvey.) Washington Feb. 4. '4)8 My Dear Sir; I reed your kind letter of the 15. Jany. & have left it unan- swered so long, by reason of engagements, which have occupied my time. The Petition, respect'g the weight & measure of goods, I presented & explained to the Senate. There will be no difficulty, I think, in that Body, in agreeing to a proper amend- ment of the law. I shall be very happy to be retained, by Mr. Belknap, who is an old friend. I have a payment to make the 14th of this month ; and as Mr Belknapp is a man deal'g in so large affairs, that the amount of a Lawyers Retainer makes no great change, in his operations, even tho' money be "tight," perhaps, at your suggestion, he would place the fee in your hands, before that time. I have been thinking, for a week or two, of say'g someth'g on the condition of the country. But almost all the Whigs in the Senate wish to speak, & generally desire me to hold back. Besides, I hardly wish to fall into the middle of a procession of Speakers, half a mile long, ahead, & equally long behind. We have had good speeches. I know not what to make of the Peace rumours. The Ad- ministration talks one way, one day, as I fear, & the other the next. Before I address the Senate, I wish to see whether we are to have peace, or whether the war is to continue. Mrs. W. as you will have learned, has gone to Boston. I feel THE NATIONAL STATESMAN concerned about Mrs. Appleton. Let me hear from you, when you can. Yours always truly Danl Webstee (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Dear Fletcher Feb. 19. (1848(?) This note is for the last of the acceptances for the Eastern lands — You must try to beg & borrow, & take it up, as you alone are now interested. I am very hard run — Edward's dft will be paid, & it will require all I have here. I hope to get some small things soon, but have seldom met with such constant dis- appointments. You said, sometime ago, that our invaluable friend, Mr. Har- vey, was com'g this way. It appears he does not show himself. I was in hopes he might have picked up a few fees, as that South- em debt, which he knows about, annoys me so as to keep me awake at nights. But I should be most glad to see him here, fees or no fees. I have a kind of feel'g, that we shall have peace in the Spr'g, though I can scarcely give the source of it. I shall make a short speech early next week. Send on Mr. H. to hear it. Yrs D Webstee (From Chas. W. March.) jj^^ g. Wash. April 2— [1848] I received in due time from Boston your frank covering Mr Ketchum's letter to me. It seems he is not satisfied with Mr. Everett's essay upon your services as Sec'y of State, & wishes me to prepare another. But for his suggestion that I should consult you upon the subject, I should hardly have supposed him in earnest. The little I can do, you know, will be cheerfully done. If you deem It necessary, I will come on during the month, & with your guidance, prepare what Mr. Ketchum wants, or anything else necessary to the attainment of the desirable object we have in view — I shall await the direction of your wishes. LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER The Tribune, I see, copies the numbers of "Whig from the Start," & I have no doubt they will gain general circulation & command general approval. Mr. Ashmun & myself are glad- dened this morning with an editorial in the Boston Courier, not only written with ability, but with more than Mr. Buckingham's usual policy. A few such will do much good. The iron seems sufficiently heated & all that is necessary for shaping our ends is a succession of well-directed blows. Your friends, in my opin- ion, occupy the position that in our school-boy days we were wont to take in one of our sports — one of us would stand still & firm till the whole school linked hand-in-hand together sur- rounded us in a series of concentric circles — So will the whole school of Whigs — Clay men, Taylor men, Scott men. Courier men, — do now, if this centre stand firm. Mr. Giddings told me a day or two since he was ready for one to come out for "Webster for Pres. Corwin for Vice Pres." giving the South to Taylor I am not so confident but that such a move would be our best — & even save a check-mate — Corwin I have reason to know, is ready for such. I send you per mail a parcel of your R. I. argument.-' I think I will retain the rest, unless otherwise directed by you, till I can find an opportunity of sending them by some one going East. Fletcher's friends here are much gratified at the compli- mentary notice that appears in the Boston papers of his effort on the Boundary question before the Legislative Committee. * * * Raymond's edition of your speech did not reach us till after Houston's was generally copied; which is to be re- gretted as it was more full & accurate. I will write soon again Every Truly & respy Yrs Chs. W. Makch. (From Millard Fillmore.) Albany, May 2d, 1848. My Dear Sir, Your private note of the 24!th ult. came to hand, yesterday, and I avail myself of the first leisure moment to reply. ' An ar^ment made in the Supreme Court of the United States on the 2Tth of January, 1848. See "Works," vol. vi, p. 917. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 365 You can not have had more cause to regret the coolness that has some time existed between us than myself. The cause of it I never suspected until informed of it by our mutual and esteemed friend Mr. Fessenden, some four years since, when we accident- ally met at the Astor House. I was not aware of the letter to which you allude, addressed by me as chairman of the committee of Ways & Means to you as Secretary of State which you deemed (and no doubt truly) disrespectful. I trust you will believe me when I say that nothing of the kind could have been intended. My duties were so varied and laborious that I was compelled to intrust to the clerk of the Committee the task of writing the let- ters to the departments, from general directions. He generally wrote them after the adjournment of the committee for the morning and while the house was in session, and brought them to me in my seat for my signature. I had seldom time to do more than sign without reading them; and in this way the accident must have occurred of sending a letter which never would have been sent, had I supposed it contained a word or phrase, that could by any possibility have been tortured into seeming disre- spect. I am gratified to know that you are already appraised of the substance of what I have now related, and to be assured that the explanation is satisfactory and that I still enjoy a portion of your respect and esteem, which I can assure you I value very highly. I am frank to say there is no man in the nation for whom I have entertained, and still entertain, so high a regard. My re- spect has bordered upon veneration, and my esteem upon admira- tion, and though this estrangement to which you allude, has pre- vented all correspondence and intercourse, yet it has not pre- vented me from noticing and admiring your uniform high and statesmanlike course in the Senate which has uniformly met my entire approval. I sympathize with you most deeply in your domestic afflictions, and would that it was in my power to offer consolation, but that must come from a higher source. I write in much haste without time to copy and beg leave to subscribe myself Your devoted friend MiLLAKD FiLLMOEE 366 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Monday Eve' May 15. '48. My Dear Son : I have reed yours of yesterday, & a parcel of speeches from Mr Kingsbury, which I have franked, & shall send off by this mail. — It will give me pleasure to oblige a son of Mr Shaw, & a daughter of Genl Lyman; & I shall not fail to remember Col. Andrews. — I cannot comply with Mr. Ketchum's suggestion to frank the "address." It would be out of character. — Whatever I can properly do, I am ready to attempt ; but I must maintain an elevated position Yrs D. W. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) AsTOH. House May 25. 48. Thursday mor'g Dear Fletcher We must leave Albany to Mr. Ketchum, or to chance. Mr Clingman M. C. is here. He is a member of the Conven- tion. He says if a Northern Candidate be nominated at Balti- more, many Southern Whigs will see the necessity of nominating a Northern Whig, at Phila. He is among the No. I rather think he has some preference, not very decided — for Genl Scott. I should be glad to see you, & one or two Boston friends, as soon as you can arrive, leaving Boston when your trial is over. We go South this mor'g. Yrs D. W. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Washington June 8. 48. Dear Fletcher; I have yrs of yesterday, 110 clock. Before you receive this, matters will be all over. We shall get a Telegraphic dispatch, doubtless, this P. M. This letter to Mr. Blatchford is highly important. It re- spects Marshfield. If he be not gone, put it immediately in his THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 367 hand. If he shall have left, direct it to him at N. Y. without loss of time. Yrs affectionately D. W. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Washington June 10. 1848. My Dear Son ; We heard all the news yesterday ; & I have yours, this morn- ing.i I think you did right to go straight home. I shall get away as soon as I can, without appearing to be in a hurry. — As to the future, keep entirely quiet till I see you. I suppose there will be an emeute; but it may be quite a question, whether you & I, & our particular circle of friends had not better stand quite aloof. That is my opinion, at present, and until we see into things farther than we can at present. There will probably be enough others to do the work. At any rate, nothing can be gained by sudden action, or movement ; & therefore by no means commit me, or yourself, or our especial & personal friends, till we meet, & can consult. Mr. Ketchum advises strongly to a course like this. Mr Ashmun has not reached Washington, nor has any body else, that I can hear of. If I see any body, I will write you again tomorrow. Yrs affectionately Danl Webstek (To D. Fletcher Webster.) June 16. 48. Dear Fletcher I have looked over the article & believe I wrote a great part of it ; but I cannot separate what I wrote from what I did not write. What makes this a matter of any interest? — I really do not comprehend — — I cannot get away before Monday, & would not go then, but ' Refers to the outcome of the Whig Convention at Philadelphia, where General Taylor received the nomination for President. See Curtis' "Life of Webster," vol. ii, p. 339 et seq., for Webster's action. LETTERS or DANIEL WEBSTER from Mr, Frothinghams relentless pressing about his mortgage : as I am wanted here next week, to keep along a Bill for paying scrip of Mexico, &c — But Mr F. will not give way, even for a week — & I shall therefore leave Monday — if noth'g further be heard. Yrs affectionately D. W. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Dear Fletcher Washington June 16. 48. I shall endeavor to steer my Boat with discretion, but it is evi- dent, that I must say something, or else it will be said for me, by others. And I can see no way, but acquiesence in Taylor's nomi- nation ; not enthusiastic support, nor zealous affection ; but ac- quiescence, or forbearance from opposition. This is in accord- ance with what I said to the Whigs in Boston, viz. that I should not recommend Genl Taylor to the People, for President ; but that if he were fairly nominated by a Whig Convention, I should not oppose the nomination. I must stand here. This northern movement will come to nothing respectable. Our best friends in Ohio have made up their minds to support Genl Taylor, & think he will carry the State. Mr. Corwin, who has just returned from that State, is of the same opinion. In N. Y. there seems to be no Whigs, opposed to the nomination, except Mr. Clay's friends. The old Abolition party wiU adhere to Mr Hale. The Barnburners intend, some of them to br'g forward Mr. Van Buren for President, & Marcus Morton for Vice President. Others nominate Mr Wilmot for President. Meantime, there is certainly, at this moment, a fire spreading for the Whig nomina- tion. How long it may continue to burn, I cannot say, but at this moment it is rather fierce. There is an entire confidence among the Whigs, that Taylor will be chosen; & many Demo- crats are of the like opinion. I would send you some letters I have reed, if it were not for fear of accidental discovery or publicity.- I attach no great im- portance to them, but they show, to some extent, what is the true state of feel'g. We set forth, Monday Eve'. Yrs affectionately D. Webstee THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 369 (To D. Fletcher Webster.) My Dear Son ; Washington June 19 — 48 I am sorry that I cannot see my way clear to follow your advice, entirely. It appears to me necessary, that I should express, publicly, either acquiescence, or dissatisfaction, with the nomina- tion. I have already said, often that I should not recommend Genl Taylor; but I have said, too, always, at the same time, that I should not oppose his election if nominated. Beyond that, I propose to say nothing, except in favor of the general Whig cause. These Northern proceedings can come to nothing useful, to you or to me. The men are all low, in their objects. The aboli- tionists will adhere to Mr. Hale. The Barnburners wiU nominate Mr. Niles. If the Conscience men, at Worcester, were to ask to put me on their Ticket, what w'd it all come to.? — I could not consent to that, with so little show of strength as they now put forth. On the other hand, suppose I acquiesce in Genl Taylor's nomination — He will, or will not, be chosen — If chosen, (as I incline to think he will be) it may be for your interests, not to have opposed him. As to mine, it is quite indifferent. I have, for myself no object whatever. If he is not chosen, things can stand no worse. Then, on the general ground; it seems to me I must not, in consistency, abandon the support of Whig principles. My own reputation will not allow of this. I cannot be silent, without being reproached, when such as Cass is pressed upon the country — I agree, it is a difficult & doubtful question ; but I think the safest way is, to overlook the nomination, as not being the main thing, & to continue to maintain the Whig cause. We shall see ; but I think we shall come out right. Yrs affectionately Danl Websteb I take the cars with this. Take care of these letters, Sf keep them private. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) In the Senate, Monday 2. O clock. (Aug. 6 1848) Dear Fletcher I have talked with several persons this morning. Mr. Grinnell, 370 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER just returned from N. Bedford, says, the Whigs, generally, & a good many Democrats, of property, will vote for Gen. T.^ to keep out Gen. C? — thro fear, that the latter will bring on War, with some nation or another — — On the other hand, both the Senators from Pa., think Genl T. has no chance in Pa. They say Cass is popular — & party lines strict, & well observed. I shall gather up opinions here, & write you, from day to day, & write you daily, till I leave for home. We hear a rumor of a meet'g in Boston, Saturday Eve', but no particulars. I suppose it is a mere rumor. Holding back, for the present, is a position, not without its advantages. Yrs D. W. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) PBIVATE. Dear Fletcher. Sunday Morning (Aug. 13), (1848). Somebody is needed here, of sufficient character & force to go directly to leading Whigs in Congress, from the South, & tell them what can be done at the North, & what cannot. I do trust Mr Stevenson, with others, wiU be here by Thursday. No time should be lost, if it be possible for them to come. I suppose you will leave Tuesday P. M. Yrs D. W. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) AsTOR House, Wednesday 2 Oclock. [Aug. 16 1848]. Dear F. I have got on, so far ; & may stay here a day, or so, to rest, as I have been quite feeble— a better air today brings me up a little. I found yr letter at Phila. — I have made no speeches, & shall make none. Still, I hardly understand yr earnestness on that subject. Other friends do not write in that strain. We must talk the matter over. I feel, every day, more & more inclined, to withdraw altogether. Your mother is well, & sends her love. She, too, has suffered from the heat. Affectionately D. W. ■ General Taylor. ' General Cass. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 371 (To D. Fletcher Webster.) AsToa House Wednesday 12. [Aug. 16 1848] Dear Fletcher I reed yours, this mor'g, & shall endeavor to follow your sagacious advice. Mr. K. breakfasted with me at 7 this mor'g. He is to be in this House till June 7. — — I have talked with Mr Grinnell, Mr Hoffman, Mr Nelson, &c. &c. &c. — They are in a state of mind, at present, which makes it important to consult & conciliate— They are not badly disposed. They are going, in force, to Phila. I hope you will come along in season, with other Boston friends, & see them here. I hear nothing from Albany. — ^but will write you again, before leav'g this City. I shall go tomorrow, morning. Yrs D. W. (To E. Rockwood Hoar}) Mabshfield, Aug. 23d, 1848. My dear Sir I am greatly obliged to you, for your kind and friendly letter ; you overrate, I am sure, the value of my speech,^ it was quite unpremeditated and its merit if any consists I presume in its directness and its brevity. It mortified me to see that some of the newspaper writers speak of it as the "taking of a position " ; as if it contained something new for me to say. You are not one of them my dear Sir but there are those who will not believe that I am an anti slavery man unless I repeat the declaration once a week. I expect they will soon require a periodical affidavit. You know that as early as 1830 in my speech on Foote's resolu- tions, I drew upon me the anger of enemies, and a regret of friends by what I said against slavery, and I hope from that day to this my conduct has been consistent. But nobody seems to be esteemed to be worthy of confidence who is not a new convert. And if the new convert be as yet but half converted, so much the better, this I confess a little tries one's patience. But I can ' This letter is the property of the Hon. Geo. F. Hoar. ' Speech on "TheExclusion of Slavery from the Territories."' See "Works," vol. V, p. 302. 372 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER assure you in my own case it will not either change my principles or my conduct. It is utterly impossible for me to support the Buffalo nomina- tion, I have no confidence in Mr. VanBuren, not the slightest. I would much rather trust Genl. Taylor than Mr. VanBuren even on this very question of slavery, for I believe that Genl. Taylor is an honest man and I am sure he is not so much committed on the wrong side as I know Mr. VanBuren to have been for fifteen years. I cannot concur even with my best friends in giving the lead in a great question to a notorious opponent to the Cause, besides there are other great interests of the Country in which you and I hold Mr. VanBuren to be essentially wrong, and it seems to me that in consenting to form a party under him Whigs must consent to bottom their party on one idea only, and also to adopt as the Representative of that idea a head chosen on a strange emergency from among its steadiest opposers. It gives me pain to differ from Whig friends whom I know to be as much attached to universal liberty as I am, and they cannot be more so. I am grieved particularly to be obliged to differ in anything from yourself and your excellent father, for both of whom I have cherished such long and affectionate regards. But I cannot see it to be my duty to j oin in a secession from the Whig party for the purpose of putting Mr. VanBuren at the head of the Government. I pray you to assure yourself, my dear Sir, of my continued esteem and attachment, and remember me kindly and cordially to your father.-* Your's etc. Danl. Webster. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) PRIVATE. Thursday 2 O clock [Sept. 1 1848] Dear F. I see no way but to fall in — & acquiesce — The run is all that way. We can do no good by holding out. — We shall only isolate ourselves — Northern opposition is too small & narrow to rely on — I must say something, somewhere, soon. — My purpose is, to ' Was a Judge of the Supreme Court, and in 1869 became Attorney-General under Grant. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN enlarge on the necessity of a change of Administration, to say something of the North, & its expectations — &, on the whole, to express a hope for Taylor — I must either do this, or go right into opposition, D. W. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Washington. Tuesday noon Deer 26. 48. My Dear Son ; My rheumatism seems going off, & I hope to get away, either this afternoon or tomorrow. I have written Mr. Geo. T. Curtis not to let the Patent cause wait for me. Saving & excepting a stiff back, I am quite well. I suppose I took cold, in the Court room, on Friday. When I finished, the heat was suffocat'g, the thermometer being at 90. The Court immediately adjourned — all the doors & windows were opened, & the damp air rushed in. I did all I could to protect myself. It was just such an exposure, which caused Mr Pinckney's death. He had been arguing, against me, the cause arising on Gov. Dudley's will, the first case, I think in 10 or 11. Wheaton. He came into court next morning, pale as a Ghost; — spoke to me, went to his lodgings at Browns, & never again went out alive. I argued my cause well enough, & if I were not always unlucky, now adays, in such cases, I should think I saw a glim- mering of success. But tho' we shall get 4 Judges, I fear we may not a 5th. Yrs affectionately. I am reading Lord Campbells Lives of the Lord Chancellors. If you have credit enough, run in debt for the Book, & read it the first thing you do. — Do this, careful & thoroughly, & you wiU imbibe a new love for legal studies. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Monday 2 O clock. [Feb. 1849] DearF. Nobody can tell what will be done with the License laws, so S74 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER great is the difference of opinion on all these subjects on the Bench. My own opinion is ; that the License laws will be sustained ;^ that the passenger law of Mass^ will not be sustained. This, however, is opinion merely. We are just break'g ground in the Senate, on the war, the acquisition of territory, &c. Mr Calhoun will probably come out tomorrow. — I shall say someth'g anon ; but for 14 days I have been sitt'g here, in Court 4 /. hours every day. We hope to beat our adversaries in the Luther (?) case. AU well. Yrs truly D. W. (To Peter Harvey. (?) Sunday Morning, 8 o'clock. [Feb. 1849.] My Dear Sir — I passed half an hour last evening with General Taylor. He was pleasant and social enough and by no means of such a harsh and stern countenance as the pictures represent him. Our con- versation was general. He said nothing to me or I to him of cabinet appointments. It was said last night that he had signified his purpose to decide nothing for two or three days. The last rumor gives Mr. Binney to the treasury and Mr. Law- rence to the navy. I am perfectly satisfied it was arranged some time ago with Mr. Crittenden that Mr. Lawrence should come into the cabinet if Mr. C. could put him there. Everything in- dicates this. It is not unlikely that the end may be accom- plished. Everybody of sense and character here is the other way of thinking, but I fear that Mr. Crittenden's opinions and views will not be easily overcome by all that others can say and do. General Taylor means well, but he knows little of public affairs and the life of a public man. He feels that he must rely on somebody — that he must have counsel even in the appointment of his counsellors, and regarding Mr. Crittenden as a fast per- sonal friend he feels safest in his hands. This, I think, is the present state of things. What may be the result I do not know, and it would be idle to conjecture. The various cliques ,with their committees and debating are around him in force. ' See Howard's Reports, vol. v, p. 504. ' Ibid., vol. vil, p. 283. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 375 Of course they feel different ways. The main hope for a favorable issue of things must be that in this scrambling he may lean to the judgment of his secretary of state. You had better burn this letter. Yours truly, D. Webster. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) PRIVATE. Monday Eve, Mar. 26, '49. Dear Fletcher Things go badly. It turns out, that the President, sometime ago, I know not how long since, promised the ofBce of Dis. Atty. to Mr Lunt. As far as I can learn, this promise was extorted by Mr. Gentry, & other members of the Philadelphia Convention. I saw the President, today, & he said he had made the promise. He said at the same time that he meant to do something for Mr Fletcher Webster. I told him, at once, that Mr. L. was not fitted for the office, by his Professional standing ; that I said that, upon my responsibility, I should stand to it. He said he should bring the matter before the Cabinet; & if the Cabinet was not satisfied with Mr Lunts qualifications, he would not be appointed. He expressed himself entirely satisfied with your testimonials, & had noth'g to object, but his promise. I repeated my opinion of Mr L's want of qualification, & said I should probably express that opinion, in writing, & lay it before the Cabinet. Thereupon, we parted, I afterwards saw Mr Clayton, & Mr Ewing. As far as I could judge, they knew noth'g of his promise. Mr. Ewing thought I had better suggest delay, & see what could be proved agt. Mr. Lunt's qualification. For the moment, I was rather inclined to adopt that course; but, on reflection, think it not consistent with my character — The President has seen your testimonials. He is satisfied with them. He knows my wishes. He knows my opinion of Mr. Lunt's qualifications ; — And there I shall leave the matter, with- out seeking for statements, or affidavits, against Mr Lunt. — I shall see Mr Clayton, & Mr Ewing, in the morning ; & authorize them to say, in Cabinet Council, what I said to the President.- — ■ He will then take his own course — I shall ask for no time, nor for any thing else. Something was said by somebody about a 376 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER " charge ship for you," To which I answered, you sought no such employment. In the meantime, Mr Rantoul's resignation is in my pocket. I shall enclose this to Mr Curtis, & ask him to read it, & then forward it to you. I shall charge him to show it to no human hemg, & I charge you, not to communicate it, even to your wife, or to Healey. Keep every thing to yourself. They may find something else to satisfy Mr Lunt. Let them take their own course. I shall ask nothing, for you, or myself — Of course, I will write you again, tomorrow: — to accompany this, & perhaps thro the same channel. Yrs affectionately Danl Webster (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Washington Mar. 29. '49. 1/2 past 2 O clock. My Dear Son. Mr Seward has seen the President again today. He says the President expresses very friendly feelings — that nothing is in the way but that unlucky promise — He says that promise was made to some Massachusetts people, as well as others. I have no doubt A. L. has had a hand in the whole matter. The President said he would see if nothing else could be found satisfactory to Mr Lunt, & his friends. If not, then something should be found for you. He repeated, that if well founded objections to Mr Lunts legal & Professional qualifications appeared, they would be decisive. I think Mr Ashmun would join in a letter to the President, confidential, urging that Mr Lunt's standing at the Bar did not justify the appointment. Mr Choate ought to join, but suppose he is too timid. What would Joseph Bell, Prest. of Senate, & F. B. Crowningshield, Speaker of the H. of R. say, to joining in a confidential letter.'' Or any other respectable person, known here. I shall xemain here for better weather. We are in the midst of a violent snow storm. Yrs affectionately D. W. Last night I felt not a little disturbed. Today I feel better. By all means, observe absolute silence & secrecy. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 377 (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Wednesday 1 O clock Mar. 28. '49. My Dear Son It has rained all the morning, like a torrent, & I have not been out of the House. — Nor have I heard a syllable since I wrote you last, yesterday. Mr. Winthrop, as you know, has certified that Mr Dexter, Mr. Lor'g, & Mr C. P. Curtis, constitute the very front rank of the Boston Bar. Now, if some of these Gentlemen would join Mr Ashmun in a private & confidential letter, saying that Mr Lunts professional standing is not what it should be, for so important an office, & in which he is to meet such able opponents, I inchne to think it would settle the matter. Something else would then be found for Mr Lunt. Indeed, I very much wish that Mr Ashmun & Mr Curtis would come on here. Can you suggest this to Mr Ashmun?^ He might look a little after his Brothers matter. Tell Mr Healey that his friend S. J. T. will abide, for the present. Yrs affectionately Danl Webster (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Tuesday mob'g 10 Oclock — [March 29 '49]. My Dear Son I did not mention in my letter last night that Gov. Seward, who has been extremely kind, went with me, yesterday to the Presi- dent. I staid in the Ante Room, while he went in, & spoke to him. I then went into pay my respects, & Mr. Seward & I came out together. While going down stairs, he told me the result of his interview. I then went back, alone, & spoke to the Presi- dent; expressed my regret, & disappointment; & added, that in my opinion Mr Lunt was not fit for the office. He then stated, that he had been induced to promise it to him, by the urgency of members of the Phila. Convention — That he must, in compli- ance with his word, bring his name before the Cabinet, that if the Cabinet thought him not qualified, he should make another nomi- 378 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER nation. I then went to Mr Clayton & Mr Ewing. Mr Clayton said at once, it was Mr Gentry's doings. Mr. Ewing thought I had better ask for a postponement, for a month, to be able to show Mr Lunts unfitness — At first, I thought I would do this : but have altered my mind, & wrote a note this morning to Mr Clayton to the following eff^ect. viz. That I wish him to communicate to the other members of the Cabinet the opinion which I expressed to the President, & to him, respecting Mr Lunt's qualification for the office ; also, Requesting him to inform the President, and the Cabinet, that I was authorized to say, that Mr Choate would take the office, if offered to him. I did this to raise, a plain question, viz. whether the President would prefer Mr Lunt, not on account of Massa- chusetts support, but on account of Tennessee & Louisiana sup- port, to Mr Choate. Mr Seward has now gone up with this let- ter, & I should not be surprised, if he should show it also to the President, for he, Mr Seward, is very thoroughly friendly, & Persevering. The President gave to Mr. Seward, as I believe I stated last Eve', the same reason for his promise, which he gave to me ; that is, the application of members of the Phila. Convention. I have little doubt the matter will be postponed, for some time. And if plump & strong declarations from authentic quarters could be produced, agt. Mr Lunt's fitness, on the direct ground of want of sufficiently high standing at the Bar, the members of the Cabinet, I have no doubt, would all be ' glad to rej ect him. A confidential letter, to this effect, from any judge, or other source, to the President or Mr Clayton, I presume would produce the effect. But whether any such thing can be obtained, I know not — I shall cause it to be suggested, that it will be much easier to find a charge'ship, or something else, for Mr Lunt, than to find any other office than this, for you to take — I send these letters thro Mr Curtis, in order that having read them, he may forward them, together with his advice; or, if he can, that may run down to Boston for a day & see you. Yrs affectionately Danl Webster I shall remain here, sometime. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 379 (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Apkil 12. '49. Thursday mor'g — 6 O clock. Dear Fletcher I wrote you a hurried line yesterday. As nothing more was expected from Boston, I thought it best to go & see the Presi- dent. He seemed in good humour, & we talked the matter over. The thing had not been before the Cabinet. He had not seen the letter, respecting Mr Lunts Professional standing, but had heard there were such. He said he had been assured he was competent, & therefore made the promise. I told him I thought it would be well, if it could be done, to avoid raising such a ques- tion before the Cabinet, & afterwards before the Senate. That it wd be better to give Mr Lunt something else, if there were any thing which would satisfy him & his friends. He assented to that. He said he had told all the Cabinet, what he had told me, that he intended to give someth'g to Mr. F. W. We then spoke of the Marshalship. He said that was not promised, that he knew of, & he would ask Mr Ewing to look up the papers. I stated the reasons why you preferred the other office, but said I should be satisfied with any thing, not disparaging, which should arrange all interests. At this stage of the conversation Mr Ewing came in. We continued the conversation. Mr Ewing said he must leave the City on Monday, to go to Ohio for his family, & should be gone a fortnight, and could not possibly take up this subject before his departure. We had a good deal of further conversation ; & it was finally agreed that the thing should rest, till Mr Ewing returned, & until I went to Boston. So it stands, Mr Johnson spoke to Mr Ewing on the subject, in the morning, & asked who were candidates for the Marshalship. Mr Ewing said he did not know & did not care. I presume his inclination is fixed. So is Mr Johnsons ; & I look for no oppo- sition in the Cabinet. Now — I think one or the other may be had, & ought to be made certain. I do not know who are candidates for the Marshall's office. But it is best to be strong, if we are obliged to go for that. I recommend that Mr Healey, & other friends get up a strong paper, signed by the Electors, & members of Congress, & some other well known men. It might be somewhat after the en- closed form. Mr Fearing should sign & add "Electors" &c. — There should be twenty or thirty strong names. It wd not be amiss to have this done, right off^. — Then, when I get home, I will 380 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER see whether Mr Lunt will take some thing else, & leave the Atty's place to you ; & if not, we will see what is next to be done. Let us secure the Marshalship. That will be a great office for you. Its duties may be performed very much by Deputy — You can practice in the State Courts, & so keep your hand in, in the Law — Now, take my advice — & let such a paper be signed. Begin with Mr Fearing, & let him go to Mr Livermore — get the names of members of Congress, where you can. Let there be weight enough to satisfy the President, over all other comers. — I am going to Norfolk, to return in a few days — say abt the 18 — & on the 23. 1 hope to leave for home. I am glad your wife & children are all safe at Marshfield. The true policy, in regard to your office, now is to keep still — & go on & get strong names — It is said Mr L. has written let- ters, full of indignation at the delay. Yrs affectionately — D. W. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Monday Moa'c April 16. '49 My Dear Son Mr Lunt, I take it, is a cross-grained person, & at the present moment, probably, particularly sour, & angry. He is doubtless a difficult subject, for negotiation — Yet, he sees that delay has occurred, & wiU find more occurring. If he has much sense, (which may be doubted) he will see that he may encounter difficulties in the Cabinet, & more in the Senate. Possibly, these considerations might lead him to think of some other place, if there was any channel of communication, through which useful suggestion could be made to reach. I know, my- self, nothing of his associations. You can think of these things. — I wish you to continue to write to me, as usual, until you hear from me to the contrary as my letters will be forwarded. It is dreadful cold — ice last night a line thick. Yrs affectionately Danl Webster THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 381 (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Monday— 2 clock April 2. (1849). My Dear Son Mr Ashmun has written me an excellent letter. Mr. Winthrop a very fair letter, in favor of Mr Geo. T. Curtis, if you are out of the way — not otherwise. — You wiU not be out of the way. Mr Johnson has written Mr Choate. If Mr Choate's letter comes strong & plump, it will settle the matter. But he should not only speak strong as to Mr Lunt's want of standing & qualification, but should go strongly for you. He does no good — ^to any body — & only harm to you, by holding out any hope, or giving any assistance to Mr Brin- ley — Yrs D. Webstee Tuesday April 3. [1849] 12 O clock My Dear Son I hardly know whether I have much to say today. I told you Mr Johnson had written Mr. Choate. I have reason to think Mr Brinley is sick of his position, & will help us, if he can. Mr Evans will also have a free talk with Mr Ewing. I trust we may weather the storm ; but wd not have had so much anxiety for any thing in the world, connected with my- self. We are all pretty well. The claimants under the Mexi- can Treaty are coming in upon me, thick, to take charge of their claims. They think I am a rising young man. We have no Boston mail today, but shall hear from you to- morrow, & know all that has been, as yet, done in Boston. Mr Choates answer we shall look for on Thursday. Yrs, My Dear son, always affectionately D. W. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Wednesday 1 O clock. [Apr. 1849] My Dear Son; I have your two notes of Monday, and, as the Merchants say, "note contents." Tomorrow, I presume, we shall hear from LETTERS OP DANIEL WEBSTER Mr. Choate & others, & then, I presume, we shall know all that can be done. It looks to me, at present, as if Mr Lunt could not be ap- pointed. But I cannot tell what may happen. I shall be glad when the business is over, for it has worried me, prodigiously. Yrs affectionately D. W. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Thursday 3 O clock [Apr. 1849] My Dear Son A letter has come from Mr. C. — but I have none from you, except one about Gloucester matters — I do not hear of letters from Mr Fearing etc — but have not inquired. I suppose they must have come — Mr Evans will give a strong letter, & also speak personally. I do not know what will be the result, but it will be difficult to appoint Mr Lunt — He ought to be persuaded, if he has any friends, to go for some other place. Yrs affectionately ^^^ D. W. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) PEIVATE. Sunday Mok'g. Dear Fletcher, I have yours of Friday. Mr. Johnson was to see the Presi- dent, yesterday, & see if he could arrange for a conversation on your subject, tomorrow — I suppose he saw him; but he went immediately to Baltimore, before I heard the result. Mr. Evans is taking an active & friendly part; but I do not know whether any thing will change the Presidents purpose. I think not. I presume that Lunt writes directly to the President, & tells 40 lies about us all — Whether he would give you the Marshall's office I cannot say. But I feel as if we should be obliged to take hold of Mexican claims, & passenger taxes, & get some money. I will take care of the first, if you will push the last — - — I will keep you informed; tho' I am quite doubtful as to THE NATIONAL STATESMAN having any good news — only think of Mr Clayton's appointing M-L. Davis Express Agent at N. Y. ! Yrs D. W. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Sunday 2 O clock DearF Mr E. is quite hopeful of your affairs — much more than I am. The difficulty — & the only difficulty — is the promise — Mr Lawrence can do no harm now. It is the promise. If the Presi- dent cannot fairly extract himself from that, he will fulfil it, at all hazards, as I suppose. We shall see in a day or two — D. W. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) PRIVATE. April 11 [1849] Wednesday My Dear Son ; I have been to H. Q. ( ?) — You will have one, or the other — I am sure of that — But nothing will be done, till I get homej Keep the Peace, profoundly- — Mr Ewing is flatfooted. I will write, at more leisure tomorrow. I dare not trust the wires — Yrs affectionately D. W. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Thursday 2 O clock [1849] . . My Dear Son; The Superintendence of Attys & marshalls is transferred to the Home Dept. — That is favorable. I have seen Mr Ewing, & Mr Reverdy Johnson, today. It looks, now, as if some agree- able result might be arrived at. Pray keep entirely still — quietly in this country, renouncing all political agitation, for the future, were perfectly in accordance with my instructions. On the first of November last on the occasion of a communication relative to Kossuth, you told me distinctly, Mr. Secretary of the State, that, in the event of your being called upon to make him an address, the scope of your remarks would be, to extend to him, the offer of an asylum. This mode of treating the subject, de- barred all discussion, and induced me, at the time, to touch but lightly upon the remonstrances which we might have urged, in re- lation to the diplomatic steps that have preceded the liberation of Kossuth — steps, which were entirely irrelevant to the interests of the United States, and of a character calculated to complicate the relations, already very much involved, between the Imperial Government, and that of the Sublime Porte. Independently of those assurances, I had reason to hope, that the extraordinary proceedings of Kossuth, on board the Missis- sippi, and in the Mediterranean ports, the details of which, you ' This is unsigned., being the original draft of the note. ' See Rhodes' "History of United States." vol. i, p. 231. ' See "Works of Daniel Webster," vol. vi, p. 591. 492 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER had, yourself, communicated to me, would not be lost sight of. The information I had the honor of imparting to you on the 28th of November last, was corroborative of the fact, that a con- flict had arisen, between the high discipline of the American Navy, and the ridiculous claims of a revolutionary pretender, who was constantly striving to abuse the flattering hospitality of which he was the recipient, and endeavoring to compromise the flag of the United States, by throwing the fire-brand of civil war into those countries, which he visited, in the course of his peregri- nations in the Mediterranean. The whole tenor of Kossuth's conduct, on board the Mississippi and in England, indicated already a fixed determination, on his part, not to accept the asylum, which the United States had designed for him: for he boldly proclaimed, that he was coming over to this country, with a view of driving the United States to assume an attitude of de- clared hostility, against the policy of the Continental powers of Europe. These preliminary demonstrations, which, however, were full of meaning, by reason of their being manifestly at vari- ance with the policy, which has governed the United States, since the administration of General Washington, had given me a first hope that the Federal Government, would drive this man, who was meddling with so much audacity with the foreign relations of the Union, back into nonentity. But this has not been the case. The reception in New York, and the Municipal ovations of which he has been the subject, were deemed to have no interna- tional bearing; they were looked upon, as the inevitable con- sequence of a thoughtless enthusiasm. This was not the case, however, with the Federal Government. It was, therefore, with the utmost regret, that I heard of the unusual honors which had been paid to Kossuth, by the Federal Army and Navy. A Su- perior Officer must announce to Kossuth, that he was instructed to treat him with all the marks of distinction, which belonged to the most elevated rank, in the army, and, if I am not mistaken, to raise him, thereby, upon a level with the President himself. In the last Message, he is designated as Governor ; and Congress, in its deliberations, unreservedly bestows upon him, the title of Governor of Hungary, which that political Mountebank has the insolence of arrogating to himself, while he takes the liberty, even, of using the official seal of Hungary. The honors which have been paid to Kossuth, have only been the means of increasing his audacity, and have induced him to make a sort of appeal to the people, which I quote, for the pur- THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 493 pose of showing the subversive tendencies of the same, and its tone of antagonism towards the executive power of the Union. The address which he caused to be published, on the day of his entrance into New York, and which is designated as a manifesto, affords evidence, that the honors, which were no doubt only in- tended as an excess of civility, by those who ordered them to be paid, are looked upon and represented by him, as an acknowl- edgment of his absurd pretensions. Allow me to insert here, the passage alluded to from the address in question. "So I confidently hope, that the Sovereigns of this Country, the people, will make the Declaration of Independence of Hun- gary soon formally recognized, and that it will care not a bit for it, if Mr. Hiilsemann takes tomorrow his passports, bon voyage to him. But it is also my agreeable duty to profess that I am entirely convinced that the government of the United States shares warmly the sentiment of the people in that respect. It has proved it by executing in a ready and dignified manner, the resolution of Congress, in behalf of ray liberation. It has proved it by calling on the congress to consider how I shall be treated and received, and even this morning, I was honored, by the express order of the government, by an official salute from the batteries of the United States, in such a manner, in which, according to the military rules, only a public high official capacity can be greeted. Having thus expounded my aim, I beg leave to state, that I came not to your glorious shores to enjoy a happy rest — I came not with the intention to gather triumphs of per- sonal distinction, but because a humble petitioner, in my coun- try's name, as its freely chosen constitutional chief, humbly to entreat your generous aid."^ It is in the midst of full peace, — It is after the lapse of some years, since the rebellion was put down, — it is at the very mo- ment when Hungary is beginning to recover from her misfor- tunes, that it is sought to raise a pedestal to a fallen idol, in order to give him a fresh chance of ruining his country. My government appreciates these impotent efforts, at their proper value, and I only comment upon them, for the purpose of point- ing out their unseasonableness and impropriety. The Imperial Government, frankly and sincerely wishes to maintain the best relations with the United States. It makes a very great allowance for the institutions and usages of this coun- ' A newspaper clipping. Clipping is enclosed with the original report of Kossuth's speech. 494 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER try ; but, at the same time it relies upon the wisdom of the execu- tive power. I am willing to believe that the President disap- proves highly of this crusade of Kossuth against all Sovereigns of Europe : and I flatter myself, that the military honors which have been paid to him on his arrival, and which seem to have turned his head, will not be continued. I attach some impor- tance to these demonstrations, and I shall be obliged to you, Mr. Secretary of the State, if you will let the President know that I desire to be informed, whether these Military honors will be re- newed, after the public declaration of Kossuth, that he looks upon them, as affording evidence, that hostile projects against Austria, are approved of by the Government of the United States. I beg that you will honor me with an answer ; and I very much wish, that said answer, may be of a character to convince my government of the friendly intentions of the government of the United States: it will put an end, I hope, to all apprehension, that the movements of this agitation, may encompass the object in view; and that by inducing the Government of the United States to become a party to any hostile demonstrations against Austria, Kossuth may succeed in seriously compromising the amicable relations existing between the two countries. I avail myself, of this occasion, Mr. Secretary of State, to renew to you the expression of my high consideration. HiJLSEMAMN. (To the Chevalier Hulsemann} ) Private. [16th Dec. 1851.] The undersigned has received the Chevalier Hiilsemann's note of the 13th instance. This note does not appear to be a private, but an official communication, and the undersigned finds in it with no little surprise a reference to supposed private and confidential conversations between the Chevalier Hiilsemann and the head of this Department and also to letters in the Department which, if shown to the Chevalier Hulsemann at all, were shown to him in strict confidence. The Chevalier Hulsemann is now informed that so long as these references to matters entirely confidential remain in his note, it can receive no answer. The undersigned has the honor to be, with due consideration, The Chevalier Hiilsemann's very humble servant. D. W. ' This was taken from the original draft. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 495 (From the Chevalier Hulsemaim.) Private^ Austrian Legation Washington 17th December 1851. The undersigned in answer to the private note directed to him under the date of yesterday by the Hon. Secretary of State, begs leave to observe, that, if for some reason or other the United States Government wish not to expose to the public the corre- spondence concerning Kossuth's conduct on board the Mississippi, he has no objection to consider as confidential, what has passed between Mr. Webster and himself in that respect. But as for the official though verbal communications, which the under- signed, as Charge' d' Affaires of his Majesty the Emperor of Austria, had in consequence of special instructions received from his Government, the honor to make to the Hon. Secretary of State in an interview at the State Department, appointed before- hand in writing for that purpose, and the assurances, which he received from Mr. Webster in answer to those communications, it is not practicable, to consider them as confidential. The undersigned takes this occasion to assure the Hon. Secre- tary of State of his high consideration. HiJLSEMANN. (To the Chevalier HUlsemann.) Private. Department of State, Washington, 18th. December, 1851. The Undersigned has the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the Chevalier Hiilsemann's note of yesterday, and has again to say that he has had no conversation with The Chevalier Hiilse- mann upon the subject referred to, but such as he considered strictly confidential. The Undersigned presumes that he could have said nothing in any such conversations which he would wish to qualify or ex- plain ; but the different recollections of the parties as to what was actually said by them might lead to great inconvenience if the substance of the conversation were not stated in writing at the time and so stated as to conform to the understanding of both. The Undersigned has the honor to be, with due consideration. The Chevalier Hiilsemann's very obedient servant, Danl. Webstek. 496 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER (Hulsemarm to President Fillmore.) Legation d'Autmche Washington Monsieur le President, le 8 Janvier 1852 M"" Webster a declare hier publiquement en presence du Presi- dent du Senat, da Speaker du House of Representatives et du fauteur des calamites de la Hongrie, qu'il f erait des voeux ardens pour I'emancipation la plus prompte et la plus absolue de ce Royaume. Ce langage si extra ordinaire, si deplace et si in- eonvenant de la part du Ministre des Affaires Etrangeres ne me permettant plus d'avoir aucun rapport avec lui, je me trouve par suite de ce marque de courtoisie intemationale dans la necessite, de m'adresser directement au President des Etats-Unis et de faire ainsi une demiere tentative pour le maintien des bonnes relations entre les deux Pays. L'hostilite de M'' Webster a I'egard de mon Gouvernement ne date pas d'hier. Sa note du 21 Decembre 1850 etait un mani- feste revolutionnaire et un appel fanfaron a tous les perterba- teurs de la paix publique en Europe Mon Gouvernement devait a la dignite, de ne tenir aucun compte des pretendus argumens con- tenus dans une note si extraordinaire pour le fonde et pour le forme, et qui dans le fait n'etait qu'une volumineuse amplification sur les perfections democratiques, destinee a augmenter la popu- larite de son auteur. Plus tard M"^ Webster, fidele a son role, a pris I'iniative pour I'envoi du Mississippi ; et pour combler la mesure, sans aucune provocation, sans aucune pretexte plausible il encourage pub- Hquement une partie integrante de I'Empire d'Autriche a la rebellion et cherche par la a attirer de nouvelles calamites sur la Hongrie. Ayant fait par ordre du Gouvernement Imperial plusieurs communications a Mr le Secretaire d'Etat sur I'arrivee de Kos- suth, Mr Webster m'a donne le assurances le plus positives, que dans sa conduite il ne s'eloignersit point de I'esprit de sa depeche du 28 fevrier a Mr Marsh ; il m'a meme dit, que s'il se trouvait dans le cas de faire un discours, il suiveait la ligne politique tracee par cette depeche et qui se resume dans I'offre d'un asyle a Kossuth; ces assurances, que Mr Webster m'a donnees au Departement d'Etat, sont en contradiction mani- feste avec le discours qu'il a prononce hier. Quelque temps apres I'arrivee de cet individu j'addressai a Mr Webster ma note due 13 Decembre, mais je suis encore a attendre sa reponse. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 497 J'abandonne a I'appreciation impartiale de la partie saine des populations des deux mondes la partees des honneurs rendus a un homme, dont la deplorable celebrite a ete f ondee sur les ruines et la desolation de la Hongrie ; mais je ne puis, Monsieur le President, garder le silence sur le discours statistico-politique et intentionnellement hostile au Gouvemement Imperial, prononce hier par M"" le Secretaire d'Etat. Desirant faire une derniere tentative en faveur du maintien des bons rapports entre les deux Gouvememens, j'ose vous prier, Monsieur le President, de vouloir bien me faire part de la maniere, que vous jugerez la plus convenable, si vous approuvez le langage et les voeux emis par Mr le Secretaire d'Etat. Si la reponse n'etait pas telle, que jai lieu de I'esperer, je vous prierai, Mon- sieur le President, de considerer alors mes fonctions diplomatique comme suspendues. J'ai rendu a mon Gouvemement un compte exact de tout ce qui s'est passe ici; j'ai transmis aujourd'hui meme a Vienne le discours prononce hier par Mr Webster, et je vais informer de suite S. A. le Prince de Schwarzenberg de ma presente de- marche-' Je suis avec le plus grand respect. Monsieur le President, Votre tres humble serviteur HiJLSEMANN. (To Charles J. McCurdy.^) Department of State, Washington, 15th January, 1852. Sir. Your despatch of the 13th ultimo has been received, and I sent you a hasty answer in reply. I now wish to write you more at length and in a private letter. The newspapers will have in- formed you that Kossuth is now here. Both he and Madame ' The editor does not hold himself responsible for the correctness of the French in the above document. It is reproduced verbaiim et punctalim, from the original which was given by President Fillmore to Webster. This letter brought about an interview between Hiilsemann and President Fillmore which was unsatisfactory and April 29, 1852, Hiilsemann sent an oflScial letter to Webster announcing his withdrawal from the United States. See Doc. 92 of Senate Documents, 1st Session of 32d Congress, vol. ix. where also will be found Webster's comment upon Hillsemann's conduct, in a letter to C. J. McCurdy, who represented us at the Austrian Court. ' The United States Minister to Austria. 498 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER Kossuth are in good health. Ever since his arrival at New York, he has been treated with the kindness due to his character and his misfortunes. I have caused a copy of extracts of your despatch to be communicated to him. In reply, he has addressed me a private letter, requesting me to instruct you to protect the per- sons, to whom you refer, which you will of course do, so far as you can with discretion and propriety. This, however, you will understand as implying a due regard to your official situation, and the duties due from you to the Government at Vienna. All that has been done, or will be done, at this Department on M. Kossuth's request, will be merely in compliance with the dictates of humanity and charity. I enclose extracts from Kossuth's letter^ to me, making other requests which I hope you may be able to have complied with, but in regard to all these things, you will be careful to act with pru- dence, and to do nothing which can give even cause of offence to the Austrian Government. The six hundred dollars referred to have been invested in the purchase of a bill on England, which is herewith enclosed, drawn by Corcoran and Riggs on George Peabody of London, in favor of William Hunter of this Depart- ment by him endorsed to you. There is reason to fear that the Austrian Charge' d' Affaires near this Government, does not feel entirely satisfied with what has occurred with Louis Kossuth. You are aware of the whole his- tory of the case. In February last, a Despatch was addressed from this Department to Mr. Marsh, at Constantinople, instructing him to intercede with the Sublime Porte for the relief of Kossuth and his companions. This Despatch you are acquainted with, and it is not necessary, therefore to state its contents particularly here. On the third day of March last, both houses. of Congress passed a Resolution, which you have also seen : it is in these words : — "Whereas, the people of the United States sincerely sympathiz- ing with the Hungarian exiles, Kossuth and his associates, and fully appreciate the magnanimous conduct of the Turkish Gov- ernment in receiving and treating those noble exiles with kind- ness and hospitality, and whereas, if it be the wish of these exiles to emigrate to the United States, and the will of the Sultan to permit them to leave his dominions, therefore. Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the ' These were not with this document. THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 499 United States of America, in Congress assembled, That the Presi- dent of the United States be, and he hereby is, requested to au- thorize the employment of some one of the public vessels which may be now cruising on the Mediterranean, to receive and convey to the United States, the said Louis Kossuth and his associates in captivity." In pursuance of this Resolution orders were given by the Navy Department, a copy of which is enclosed, together with that por- tion of the President's Message referring to our Foreign rela- tions. On his arrival at New York, the Two Houses of Congress, wel- comed him to the country and to the Capitol by Joint Resolution. He was introduced by Committee to Both Houses, and was pre- sented by me to the President. On this last occasion, he addressed the President, and I send you herewith a copy of the President's reply. Members of Both Houses of Congress invited him to a Public Dinner which took place on the 7th day of this month. I at- tended it, with other members of the administration. You will have seen an account of this Dinner and the speeches of the gen- tlemen present ; and I draw your attention particularly to those of General Cass and Mr. Douglas I send you herewith, also, a revised copy of my own Speech. Mr. Hiilsemann wrote a letter to the President complaining of my speech. This, you are aware, was a very irregular proceeding, because being a Charge' d' Affaires only, and as such, accredited to this Department, he had no official right even to ask an inter- view with the President ; much less to address him in writing. The President, however, waived ceremony and sent him word that he would be glad to see him. Mr. Hiilsemann came; and the President stated to him what is contained in a paper accompany- ing this marked No. 3. These three Papers, viz : the President's Message ; his reply to L. Kossuth, and his statement to Mr. Hiilsemann, state fully and clearly, the principles which govern him and his Administration, in his intercourse with foreign States. And it may be well for you to make these repeated declarations known to the Austrian Government. As was stated by the President to Mr. Hiilsemann, I went to the Dinner in no official capacity, but simply as an individual; and it is not easy to see why Mr. Hiilsemann had more right to complain of my presence than that of other gentlemen. At any 500 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER rate, my attendance at the Dinner was my own act, my speech there made was my own individual speech, and the President is in no degree answerable for either. I do not know to what ex- tent Mr. Hiilsemann means to manifest his dissatisfaction. Prob- ably he will be of opinion, upon full observation and considera- tion, that the President and the members of his administration were more staid and abstinent; in the respect paid by them to Kossuth, than were other leading men in the country. You may say, in as explicit terms as you may judge proper, that neither the President nor his Cabinet countenance any such thing as "in- tervention," or involving the Government in European wars, from causes affecting only the nations of Europe. Public men in this Country, as well as private men, are accustomed to speak their opinions freely. This belongs to our system, and although in this respect individuals may sometimes be indiscreet, yet there is no where any power of control ; and there are some public men, as well as private individuals, who are ready to take a part in the troubles, and in the wars of other States. It is believed how- ever, that the sober sense of the country will settle down on more prudent and pacific ideas. While there is no probability that the Government will lend aid or countenance to Kossuth, there is no reason to suppose that the amount of private contributions made for him will be large. On the whole, the enthusiasm felt for him is not increasing ; and having visited most of the large Northern Cities, where there has existed the greatest readiness to subscribe, his success elsewhere is not likely to be distinguishd. And I ven- ture to say, that the "Intervention" feeling will doubtless subside gradually and rapidly, if nothing should take place, calculated to kindle it into a new flame. I feel it my duty to say one thing in justice to myself, as the author of the Letter of February 28th, to Mr. Marsh, as well as in justice to the President who, of course, authorized the letter; and that is, that on instructing Mr. Marsh to intercede for Kos- suth and his Associates, we contemplated no other future for him, or them, than that they should come here and remain in the country as quiet and unoffending Exiles. You are at liberty to communicate in conversation, as much of the contents of this private letter to the Austrian Minister of For- eign Affairs, as you may think prudent and useful ; and I enclose herewith a copy of a recent despatch to Mr. Rives, at Paris, which you may also make known to Prince Schwartzenburg, as THE NATIONAL STATESMAN 501 another and a recent statement of the principles which govern the Government of the United States in its foreign relations. Since writing the foregoing I learn, that Mr. Hiilsemann has declined an invitation of the President to a diplomatic Dinner, to be given on the 22nd.^ I am, Sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Danl Webster (From Chas. W. March.) .p. {,. New York Nov. 14 '51. Mr. Ashmun writes me to-day as follows : "The sky has de- cidedly a blue look since Monday & there is not much hope of a favorable change. Tho' we shall keep a bright look out till the 4 O'clock her stern parted, & she swung round, & struck her broad side on the rocks, & went all to pieces, in two or three minutes. Noth'g is said to remain visible on the rocks but some frame work, belonging to the engine; or some such part, I did not understand very distinctly what. She had happened to get inside the principal breakers, & was very near dry land. But the surf was breaking with great vio- 608 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER lence, so that those who could swim could hardly do better than those who could not. It is supposed about 50 lives were lost. Twenty two bodies were brought up here this P. M. by the Mohegan, which got to the wreck this mor'g. There were three Ladies on board, passengers, who were all lost, as were the three chamber-maids. Capt. Duston was drowned. Julia will recol- lect see'g him. I cannot learn that any of our Boston friends was aboard. James Stetson was in the Boat, & has given me these particulars. He did not know any of the persons who are lost, among the passengers. No blame seems to be imputed to the Captain. The fault is thought to have been in the machin- ery. The wind has gone down, & it is supposed the Sound will be smooth tomorrow. If it is, we shall proceed on our journey, over L. Island. If not, we shall wait for settled weather. After a disaster so appalling, one does not wish to encounter risks. We find here Mr. Huntintton, Mrs. Rockwell, & other friends. Yrs affectionately Danl- Webstee. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) FRIDAY 1 O clock Dear F We were glad to receive yrs, & a long letter from Caroline this mor'g. Yr mother is down, today, with a headache. We dined at the Presidents yesterday, & were out the Eve'g before, & I suppose she took some cold. She will probably get over the headache, by Even'g. — I really should be glad to see Mr. Harvey. There are th'gs he could do, better than almost anybody else. If he can spare the time, pray ask him to come on. Mr. Calhoun has the floor of the Senate for Monday. He stands right up for Colgent's (?) resolution & for gett'g a vote of the Senate as soon as may be. I am quite well, & begin to feel a little rested. — Pray send on Mr Harvey. — Yrs DW FAMILY RELATIONS 609 (To Mrs. Caroline Webster}) Washington June 12 '419 Tuesday Morning 10 O'clock Dear Caroline I wrote you yesterday, & to day have the pleasure of receiv- ing yours of Sunday Eve.' & am rejoiced that you & little Cara are well & happy. I think you are delightfully situated, & better off than at home alone. This is a cold, raw day ; & I am sitting before a good fire, & do not intend to stirr abroad at all. The weather is certainly strange. I was at Mr. Seaton's last evening & found him sitting before a blazing grate. They were all glad to hear from you, & I thanked them duly for the strawberries. Paul left last Eve.' to get ready to go north, on Thursday. Monica stays to day, but takes to morrow for herself, for the same purpose. Sarah & John are our only stay. Sarah has her strawberries for preserves. Mr. Harvey has been here since Saturday, but returns to day. I have not seen any of the Commissioners this morning. Dr. Lyndsley's family are well, though I have not seen the ladies. Yrs affectionately Dani, Webster Mrs. Webster I hear nothing from home. This is not a day for Boston let- ters. ' This letter was given to Miss Emma E. Webb, 11 Ohio Street, Bangor, Me., by Mrs. Carobne Le Roy Webster. X HE stern, hingly man that attracted every mam's gaze as he walked down State Street in Boston was a very simple country gentleman, among his neighbors at Marshfield. That he could bend and be the daily friend of common men has been told in many places by those who were happy enough to win his friend- ship. But we feel better convinced of it when we see in his let- ters the common sense which ignored the difference in mentaV endowments and said the common thing to common Tnen. True, he had friends who were great — the greatest who lived in the world at the same time — but their bond was not their community of greatness. It was rather a congeniality in common things. He was never fond of parading friendship; but loved rather to be' alone with his friends. We never feel sure that we can say cer- tainly that he was selfish. We are very sure that he keenly^ loved the excellencies of his friends, and that he was generous in the praise of their deserts. He was generous with forgive- ness, and he could generously ask a favor. He never minced^ and said he could just as well get along without it, but, if they chose, they might do him a favor. He threw his whole soul into the asking a kindness, and left himself no retreat. The letters given here show him full of sympathy and thoughtfulness for friends in trouble — a common virtue, one may say — yet it was surely something for a great statesman to let the affairs of a nation wait while he wrote a word of comfort to some humble friend of humbler days. He never entered a neigh- borhood where old friends lived without taking pains to neglect no one. His own hospitality was royal and personal. He did not direct the servants to be entertaining, but he was entertain- ing himself. As a result, he received such letters as that of Wil- liam Wirt's, after the latter's visit in 1829. He was ever ready to use his influence for a friend, and his aid was without ostenta- tion. He had a genial humor that saved his dignity from hyper- [610] FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS 611 sensitiveness. In the correspondence with Sydney Smith that proof of magnanimity is at its best. Much is said of his own efforts as a peacemaker, but the incident in the Appleton corre- spondence concerning Mr. Lawrence shows that he graced the more difficult position of subjection to the peacemaker. A matter of considerable interest in the letters to Webster, many of which have necessarily been omitted from this collection, is the way early friends took a life-long interest in him — per- fectly natural, of course, but pleasing to see in the concrete. The old friends had such a detailed memory of the slightest incidents in their common past. To have been associated with him in an event seemed to throw a romantic glamour over the things that happened. Another matter of interest is their con- fidence in the simplicity and candor of his friendship. They expect nothing of him but a simple recognition of the old ties. In the correspondence with Story we have an unpleasant feel- ing about the refusal to permit the publication of the letters to and from the father. Webster elsewhere explains that he con- sistently refused such requests because he did not wish to estab- lish a precedent. The passage of time has removed all the objections that he might have had to such publication, and the. letters to which he referred have been published by the Massa- chusetts Historical Society. (To Edward Everett.) Washington Dec. 31, 1824. Dear Sir, I have waited on Mr. Calhoun, with your letter, and said, also, what I thought would be useful. The world rings with your Plymouth speech; even before the echoes of the P. B. K. oration have entirely subsided. Yours always, Dan'l Webstee. P. S. and P. M. I am much obliged to you for your kind letter which has just come to hand. I know that my presence at home could not have altered the course of things, in respect to our little boy.^ The loss I feel, heavily, but I hope not to be too ' Referring to the death of his son Charles. See the letters about this date in the division devoted to Webster's family relations. 612 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER much depressed by it. The oftener you call and see Mrs. W. the more she and I shall be obliged to you. I shall certainly take care to secure snug quarters for your family and mine next year. (To James W. Paige.) [May 27, 1825, Sandwich, Mass] Thursday Eve. D'r Wm. I am obliged to you for 2 letters. Dan'l came down very well. We are quite engaged, or I should write more at length. We shall be home Saturday or Monday, I know not which. I should have sent you some trouts had there been a less number of mouths here. I do not write Mrs W. as it will probably be too late. We are well, but too sleepy to write at much length. Mr. B. is quite well. Yrs D. W. 10 o'clock — quite asleep. (To Jacob McGaw}) Washington Feb. 21, 1827. My Dear Sir I have rec'd your letter, and shall lose no time in communicat- ing its contents to the President, and adding my wishes to yours, in favor of Mr. Carr. It is not my habit to interfere often, in local appointments, out of my own neighborhood ; but I shall go out of my usual course, for once, in conformity to your wishes, and to render your friend a service. I have heard that Mr. Lee, the son in law of Mr, Hook, was a candidate for the office ; but know not on what inter- est, or whose recommendation. Probably there may be others. As soon as I shall have learned what the probable result may be, I will give you information. We felt, My Dear Sir, a very serious disappointment, when, ' The owner of the original of this letter is Mr. J. B. Foster, of Bangor, Me. , who kindly sent the editor this copy. FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS 613 on our return home in the Summer of 1825 from our journey to the Falls, we learned that you and Mrs. McGaw had just left Boston. I rec'd the note, which you were kind enough to ad- dress to me, the day after it was written. Indeed we were actu- ally arrived, before you left town, as it turned out; for hoping that you might still be there, I went in search of you, I came on your track when you had been gone but an hour. I need hardly say that there are few of my old friends who keep so green and fresh in my recollections as yourself and wife ; but it has so hap- pened that with few have I had the misfortune of such unfre- quent interviews and communications. I dare not reckon up how many years it was, last Summer (June) since I escorted Phebe Poor to the Banks of Sandy River. Mrs. McGaw I have never seen. Once, when I lived in Portsmouth, you was in my house, for 5 minutes; and with that exception I believe I have not seen you since I was a pedagogue, at Pejwachet,^ and we used to play cribbage, at one o'clock. I need not say, and cannot well say, how much interest I feel in the election, pending in your District. I earnestly hope for a result, which while it will give me great personal gratification will I am sure, promote essentially the pub- lic interest. Pray make my best remembrances to Mrs. McGaw ; and be as- sured of the sincere and hearty regard of Your old friend D Webstee (To W. W. Seaton.) "My dear Sir, — I thank you for the summer ducks, which were found delicious. I thank you for the woodcock, and have yet to thank you for other favorable and friendly kindnesses not forgotten. "Yours truly, "Daniel Webster. "Mr. Seaton. "These are black fish, sometimes called Tawtog. Monica cooks them thus : — "Put the fish into a pan with a little butter, and let them fry ' At Fryeburg. 614 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER till pretty nearly cooked, then put in a little wine and pepper and salt, and let them stew. She uses no water. A little more wine, pepper, and salt to make a good gravy. "So says Monica, who stands at my elbow at half past five o'clock. A good way also to make agreeable table companions of these fellows is to barbecue or broil them without splitting. "D. W. "Confidential and Diplomatic." (From Thomas Rich.) -p. „. CHAaLESTON July 16th — 1828 — Shortly after you was pleased to favour me with an interview in Boston, I received your friendly communications with $20 en- closed from our good Friend Clarke, to whom I returned my grateful acknowledgement — In the month of January 1827, I was much obliged by the following anonymous letter — "Rev. & Dear Sir, Enclosed you receive fifty dollars from your unknown corre- spondent from the explanation of your suffering condition by the divine interpreter of the heart called Daniel." This day, after such a lapse of time, the enigma is developed. Be assured. Sir, that my gratitude to the generous donor and to him, through whose kind intercession I have experienced relief, is warm & unfeigned — Affectionately — Thomas Rich '(From Lafayette.) ,, J „• Philadelphia July 24'' 1828 My dear Sir •' Permit me to introduce to you Count Vidua, a very distin- guished Piedmontese, who has travelled through a great part of the world, and is now on a tour through the U. S. He brought me most particular introduction from Humboldt, Segur, and other friends. His acquaintance will be pleasing to you and highly useful to him. Most truly Your affectionate friend Lafayette FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS 615 (To Mrs. Cyrus Perkins. ) Boston. Deer. 15. 1828. My dear Mrs Perkins, I am sorry your good husband should be mortified at not hav- ing a house big enough to accommodate travellers on the high road. The same mortification, or the same cause for it, would happen to me, if he should chance to come this way, at this time, altho' I have lately made a house, & meant to make it big enough. — As it happens, I should hardly feel at liberty to ac- cept your hospitality, on my journey this time, as Mr Blake will go with me, as companion of the voyage, & where he lodges I must lodge. We are thinking of getting away in about a week. Our children are all well & send a great deal of love. Mrs E. Webster, with her daughters, is now with us, & I hope to keep them for a month or two longer. I have not met with your sister lately ; but I met Miss. Bryant in the street yesterday, & she looked as if she & all the family were quite well. — Yours ever gratefully & affectionately Dan"" Webster. (To Josiah Quincy.^ ) Washington, January 25, 1829. My dear Sir, — I have just closed the perusal of your address, and am not willing to lose a moment in expressing the pleasure, and, allow me to say, the pride with which I have read it. In my opinion it is in the highest degree just, manly, sensible, — full of proof of in- dependence, conscious integrity, and proper self-respect. While you have done your self no more than justice, you have made an exhibition of the measures of the city administration and of their effects which cannot fail to gratify your friends and all good citizens. Heaven punishes folly by granting it its desires ; and this penalty I imagine they who are mainly active in producing this change will feel hereafter, if they do not feel it now. Al- though I deeply regret that change, on public accounts, I yet think it clear that the events which produced it, the feeling which ' This letter is taken from the "Life of Josiah Quincy," p. 434. Josiah Quincy was at this time Mayor of the city of Boston, 616 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER those events have excited, and the use which you have made already, and which I trust you will still further make, of the occasion, will enable you to retire from the government of the city with more solid and brilliant reputation than almost any other state of things which could be reasonably anticipated would have conferred. I pray you to make my most friendly regards acceptable to Mrs. Quincy and your family, and to believe me, dear sir, with constant esteem, your obedient servant, Daniel Webster. (From Jeremiah Mason.) Portsmouth April 16. 1829 My dear Sir I feel distressed and almost overwhelmed by the awfully sud- den death of your brother.* The friendship that had subsisted between us, for many years, had afforded me much satisfaction and benefit. He was embraced in all my plans & hopes of ame- liorating the condition of our poor State. His loss is, in my estimation, nothing less than a public calamity. A void is made, & I see not how, nor when it is to be filled. Such has been the havoc of death, for a few years past, among those, whom I most esteemed and best loved, that the world be- gins to look desolate to me. To your anguish, my dear friend, I shall not attempt to offer any consolation, other than the assurance of my sincere sym- pathy. For such sufferings time may afford alleviation, but no effectual remedy can be found in any considerations confined to this world.^ Mrs. Mason unites with me in the kindest regards to you. I am my Dear sir as ever Faithfully & affectionately Yours J. Mason ' Ezekiel Webster. He died suddenly, while speaking, standing erect, in the course of an argument in a crowded courtroom. See "Biography of Ezekiel Webster," in "Private Correspondence of Daniel Webster," vol. i. '^ For Daniel Webster's reply see " Private Correspondence," vol. i, p. 4.T7, dated April 19, 1829. FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS 617 (From William Wirt}) Baltimore— July 8. 1829. My dear Sir. Mrs. W. instructs me to return you her cordial thanks for your attention to her gratification in the letter of excerpts — and you must permit me to disburthen myself of the pressure of my feelings so far as to assure you that I shall resent through life (to use an expressions of Boyle's) your unwearied and affecting kindness to me through the whole of my visit to your land of poetic beauty and Arcadian hospitality — ^that is to say, pro- vided the Arcadians were the people whom the poets describe and not those whom the dim historians represent them to have been — All figures and levity apart, my visit to Boston comes back to me, at times, more like a delightful dream than a reality, so far did it surpass all other comparatively "dull realities of civil life" that I have encountered in the course of my mortal pilgrimage — I have either been supremely fortunate and caught you all in your mollia, or rather molUssima tempera, or the Southerners who have, heretofore, visited you are ungrateful dogs not to have chanted your character in louder strains — I can tell you, however, that I find here, among the gentlemen of this place, a full response to my strongest notes of admiration. I have not met with a gentleman who has visited your country who is not in perfect union with me — and I know nothing that can compare with it, but the unmixed native stock of Virginia- — with a few slight peculiarities, the people of Virginia are identical with those of your people whom I have seen. I make the remark not as Mr. (Gardner.'') seemed to suppose in the way of a compli- ment — for there is no compliment on either side — ^but as a strik- ing philosophical fact — and I wish to Heaven it were more per- fectly known to those most deeply interested to know it — ■ The political elements of dissension are at work among us, and it will require all the attraction of cohesion which mutual knowledge fc [illegible] of each other's characters can generate to hold us together — and most happy should I be if I could devise any mode by which I could successfully contribute to such a result — Can you tell me how? "Gentle Shepherd, tell me — how — " I am glad to hear that our friend Blake is well — and can well ' This letter is owned by the Hon. George F. Hoar. The writer was author of a life of Patrick Henry. He was one of the most eminent lawyers of his time and was Attorney-General of the United States from 1817 to 1830. 618 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER imagine the pleasure of your ride — I w'd have given an ingot of gold to have been with you, tho' I might have spoiled your sub- ject — But I have been even with you both — for I have talked you over, too, again & again — and my listeners seemed well dis- posed to give me my time — those listeners have generally been "wife, children and friends." and enter keenly into all the sen- sibilities which my reception in Boston must I think have awak- ened in a heart even of stone, which mine, however, chances not to be — By the way of secret and in your ear, I am unaffect- edly surprised that such a speech as I made in one cause, sh'd have been thought worthy of so much newspaper notice. I am not conscious and cannot see at this moment that it was at aU beyond an every day speaking in the Supreme court, and yet one who did not know me would suppose from these eulogies that the people of Boston had caught a Mppotamus at the Court — Be it so, it is a silly bird, they say, that bewrays its own nest — But you and I know a thing or two more upon this subject. Mean time how happy & secure you must feel with the house of your fame on its everlasting rock — like the rocks that form the substratum of your blessed country — I wish I had been as wise all my life as you have been — gone always for substance and not for show, my show through the earlier years of my life, was the eclipse of my substance — and the shadows of that eclipse will haunt me thro' life. Your Gibraltar front has always been in its sunlight — defying the thunders of the clouds & the ocean — and thus may it ever stand in its proud pre-eminence — It is fit that it should be so — and none but a sacrilege could wish to disturb the aim of nature. If you should meet with our friend Mr. Justice Story, assure him of my constant and grateful remembrance of his kindness — would to Heaven that I had such a oracle of the law in my neigh- borhood in the form of a Judge of the Supreme court. How does he contrive to carry such a load of law with such bouyancy of spirits. I do not observe that his ability to enjoy sinks the thousandth part of an inch the deeper, with all her load, but makes her way as gaily and sportively as if she were a mere gondoler for pleasure Such is the effect of a happy constitu- tion, and there is no builder, at last, like nature. May I beg you, too, to present me, as occasion may offer, re- spectfully and gratefully to Chief Justice Parker, and the mem- bers of the Court of whose indulgence and kindness I shall cherish through this life a religious sense — And to every inquiring FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS 619 friend, if it be not too troublesome, give assurance that their kindness has not been sown on barren ground, but that I have left Massachusetts under a sense of obligation for the delicate and polite hospitalities I received, which neither time nor chance can diminish. With best regards to Mr. Day, Yrs truly Wm. Wirt. (To Jeremiah Mason.) Boston Aug. 11. 1829 My Dear Sir My stay in Vermont was protracted, so as to run into this month. — I will meet you at Nahant, with pleasure, or at Hamp- ton, at the House near the Beach, if we can fix on any time. This week and next you will be at Court — & I believe I shall go down to the South Shore. The week following is Commencement. Commencement day, & the day after I will give to visiting you, wherever you may choose. Keeping out of places where we shall be obliged to see others. — The Hotel at Lynn, is a very good place — with spare rooms enough — It is far better than Na- hant. Yrs D. Webster. (To Dr. Cyrus Perkins.^ ) Boston, Nov. 22, 1830. Dear Sir, Mrs. W. is in N. York, and I hope you have by this time seen her. She felt, with as much sympathy as I did, your calamity in the death of your son, and will be very glad to see you & Mrs. Perkins. For the last three weeks I have been nearly every day out of town, and have had no opportunity of seeing Mr. Bry- ant — I shall call today, if the weather permits. On Satur- day, I came home from Providence, where I had passed the week. For the next ten days, I propose to sit here, at my office ' Addressed to Dr. Perkins, Fulton Street, New York. Dr. Perkins attended the first Mrs. Webster in her last illness. 620 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER table, to arrange my own personal matters, so as to set my face southward about the first of December. * * * ^ Remember me affectionately to Mrs. Perkins, and believe me always and truly, Yrs (Signed) D. Webstee. (To .V Boston Oct. 7, 1831. Dear Sir I have reed your letter of the 3rd. Its contents surprise me. You say that a person in N.Bedford, as you understand quotes me for authority in charging the vice of intemperance on Mr Hodges. If you will ascertain the fact that any person has used my name for any such purpose, & will let me know who he is, I will cheerfully do whatever justice both to Mr. Hodges & myself may appear to require. In the meantime tho' I do not expect to be quoted, or my name used publicly, to contradict what may never have been asserted. I can say with the utmost truth that I never heard such a suggestion against Mr. Hodges, in my life, from any quarter. [Dan'l Websteu] (To Chancellor Kent.^) Washington, June 5, 1832. My dear Sir, — I have just opened the newspaper and read the account of Mr. Irving's dinner, and your speech thereat; and I resolved forthwith to write you one line, for the purpose of saying that the speech is a delightful little thing, just, sweet, affectionate. When I read the paragraph in which you prefer what relates to the blue hills and mountain glens of our own country to sketches of foreign scenes and foreign countries, I wanted to ' The omitted paragraph informs Dr. Perkins that Daniel Webster has drawn for $600 on Mr. Perkins. ^ This letter is in Daniel Webster's hand, and is evidently the first draft of the letter sent. * Printed in the "Memoirs of Chancellor Kent," p. 235. FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS 621 seize your hand and give it a hearty shake of sympathy. Heav- en bless this goodly land of our fathers! Its rulers and its people may commit a thousand follies, yet Heaven bless it! Next to the friends beloved of my heart, those same hills and glens, and native woods and native streams, will have my last earthly recollections ! Dulce et decorum est, etc. Daniel Webstee. (To John W. Weeks}) Hon Mr. Weeks. June 11th. [1832] Sir I return Mr Clarks letter — I hope means may be found to make out a case for his father, when the Pension Bill comes to be executed. Mr Clark, the writer, I have known a great while, & am ac- quainted with few more worthy men. It will, both on his account, & his father's, give me much pleasure to aid in an effort to gratify the Veteran, by obtaini'g a proof of his country's recollection of his services. With much respect. Your Ob. Servt Danl Websteb. (To Dr. Cyrus Perkins.'') ,, _, c,. Boston. Nov. 9, 34 My Dear Sir I arrived this P. M. & now enclose two letters for your use. If you think of any other persons, to whom letters from me would be of the slightest convenience to you, pray write me a line, & they shall be forwarded to Paris, or elsewhere as you may direct, the next Packet. Mrs Webster desires me to give her best love to you & Mrs Perkins. — She bids you farewell! with all sincerity of good wishes. Julia prays leave also to tender her affectionate re- gards ; I need not say. My Dear friend, how much of my heart you carry away with you. — May God grant you every bless- ing ; & may we, ere long, welcome you back, with renewed health & augmented happiness. ' Representative of New Hampshire in Congress from 1829 to 1833. ' The original of this letter is in the Dartmouth College Library. 622 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER Wherever you go, bear with you the assurance of my constant & cordial attachment. Adieu ! Danl Webstee. (To Miss Ellen Kelly}) Baltimore Deer. 26, 1834. My Dear Cousin. I heard yesterday, by a letter from Mr. Paige, of the death of your brother William. It shocked me very much, as I had not heard of his illness, the last letter I reed from Salisbury, left the family as well as usual. If this event shall have taken you to SaHsbury, I hope you will write me immediately, as I shall be anxious to know how the rest of the family are. Mr. Paige wrote me that one of your sisters was sick, tho' he did not mention which. If you are still in Boston, I hope you will write me, & let me know how you are, yourself. — Mrs. W. & Julia are well. We came to Baltimore to spend Christmas and shall go back in a day or two. Do not fail to write me — ^ Yr affectionate uncle D. W. (To I. W. Kellt/J^) Washington Jan. 1. 1835. My Dear Sir : I reed yours of the 22d, not until yesterday. I wrote you, from Baltimore, about the 26th — which I hope you received. — I trust you are well assured of my sympathy with you, for the loss of your son, & the illness of so many others of your fam- ily. — It is a great consolation to know that William died with an untroubled & tranquil mind. I fervently pray that the rest of your children may be soon restored to the enjoyment of per- fect health. — * * * * Danl. Webstee ' Addressed care of I. W. Kelly, of Salisbury, N. H., to whom the first Mrs. Webster's sister was married. " This letter was kindly loaned by .Tudg-e Corninp;, of Concord, N. H. ' This letter is the property of Judge Cominer, of Concord, N. H. * Encloses three notes for Mr. Shaw and a check, and asks Kelly to transact some business. ritJLUiJNUS AMU JNJliililliiUKS OSSa (To Mrs. Caroline Webster.) Hallowell, Wednesday Eve' — Sep. 23. 1836. Dear Caroline, You will easily find Hallowell on the map, & here I am, in less than 24 hours from Boston. The weather has been remarkably fino, & the Boats go well, tho', to be sure, for accommodation they bear but a poor comparison with the Southern Boats. I was in Portland this morning from 4 to 8 clock — of course I saw nobody. My friend Mr. Bradley, I learned, was not in town. — The Boat comes no farther than Gardner, half a dozen miles below this place, where Mr. Gardner, and also Mr. Evans lives. Mr. Evans heard of my arrival, & came to me at the Boat. Mr. Gardner met me also, & I called to see the Fam- ilies of both these Gentlemen. Mr. Gardner's family is in great affliction from the sickness of his daughter, Mrs. Jones — She was married, you know, about the time we saw the family at Washington, & is now thought to be far gone in a decline. They live in a cottage, while they are building a new & most elegant Home. Mrs. Evans is gay as usual. She inquired much for you, & says you were confidently expected this way. Mr. Evans brought me from the Boat here in his Barouche, & offered me his company tomorrow to call on a few old friends of an elderly class. I mean, among other calls, to go & see Dr. Sewall's mother, & Mr. Lindsley's. I have many friends in the Town, who will of course call to see me. On friday I intend going to Bangor, if the weather should be fair. — Adieu ! I have writ- ten to Julia, & shall make out a line to Mr. Paige that he may hear of my arrival in safety thus far, if this should not find you in Boston — Yrs ever truly Danl Webster (From N. Ray Thomas.) 1 DuxBURY. Jan. 20. 1840 In quitting your employment I shall have the sat- isfaction of knowing that I have discharged the obligation which I was under to you, so far as dollars are concerned. But there are other — & to me higher obligations which I feel I never ' Minor business details omitted. 6U LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER can discharge ; for through all the changes of my changing life I have had the satisfaction of believing that you were my friend, & of never doubting that this friendship was void of selfishness — was pure; and whatever the future may unfold be assured I shall carry with me to the latest hour of my life the purest sentiment of gratitude & esteem. • * * i I remain, most truly yours N. Ray Thomas. (To Mrt. Caroline Webster.) Monday Evk' Mar. 9. [1840] 7 o'clock. My Dear wife, I do not recollect that I have told you that Anna Lawrence has been very sick, indeed. Today she is supposed to be better, but she has had a very dangerous fever. Dr. S. & Dr. L. have attended her for a fortnight. It is hoped she is now out of danger. Mr. Lawrence himself is a good deal unwell, but not alarm- ingly so. He has not been out, for several days. Poor Ray Thomas has been sick again. He has had a very severe attack of fever, very much such as he has had heretofore. For ten days, he has been confined. The Dr. says he is recover- ing. I have concluded it is not safe to send him to the West. Dr. S. says it may be years before he will cease to have returns of the attack, from which he suffered so much at Bufi'alo. He will go back to Duxbury as soon as he is well enough. Mr. John Reed went to Wisconsin late last Summer — was taken sick at Milwaukee, & just escaped the grave. He got home — exceedingly feeble — & is now here, but he has frequent relapses, & looks very much exhausted, & altered. You would hardly know him. All your other acquaintances I believe are well. Mr. & Mrs. Taylor — Baltimore — ^were here for a fly'g visit, last week — She looks very well & happy. We hear the G. Western is in; & I have hopes we shall hear from Edward.^ We expect the mail at 8 Oclock, but 1 look for no letter from ' Minor business details omitted. ' Upon the return of Mr. and Mrs. Webster, the younger son, Edward Webster, had been left abroad, where he carried on his studies. FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS 625 you tonight, as you only return today from Westchester — I hope I shall have one tomorrow Eve'- — Adieu! Give my best love to yr father, & Mrs Edgar & family — Yrs ever truly =s D. W. (To Mrs. Caroline Webster.) Wednesday Eve' 6 o clock (March 11, 1840) Dear Caroline, Poor Ray Thomas is very sick.^ I have been with him all day, & he will not let me leave his room, hardly long enough to write this. His fever has gone off, in a great measure, but it has left him very much reduced, & desponding, & wander' g. I have writ- ten for Henry to come to him immediately — He has a good nurse. Dr. Sewell & D Lyndley both attend him, & every thi'g is done for him that can be done. I am quite well — I shall write you every day. Mr. Law- rence's family are getting well — Yrs D Webstee (To Mrs. Caroline Webster.) Thursday Eve' [March 12, 1840] 11 Oclock Dear Caroline, I have only time today, that I have this eve'g reed your letter under cover to Mr. Curtis, & also your other letter — written yes- terday mor'g with a postcript at 12 oclock. None of the former letters, written by you, have come to hand — not one- — & I now learn, for the first time, that you prefer stay'g in N. Y. till I go to Boston. I have no objection to this, if you prefer it; but it has been very unpleasant not to know what your intentions were — I have just come from Ray^ — h.^ has been very wild this Eve' — but is now more composed. Mr. Curtis is with him, & I must go to him in two or three hours — I will try to write you tomorrow — Truly yrs D Webstee ' See Curtis' "Life of Webster," vol. ii, p. 33. ~~~~ ' In a previous letter he says, " I have been with him almost all day, as he hates to have me leave' him." 626 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER (To Mrs. Caroline Webster.) Feiday Eve' 7. Olck. [March 13, 1840] My Dear Wife, I have not been in the Senate today, having spent the whole day in looki'g after poor Ray. He is a very sick man, but I believe he is better, & say Dr S. & Dr. L. He is so despond' g, & is much out of his mind, that either Mr. Curtis, a Mr. Evans, or myself find it necessary to be with him to keep him from sink- ing. He feels as if he should die right oiF, unless one of us be with him. We divide the 24) hours between us. Henry, who has been written for, will probably call on you. Tell him, that at this hour, he is believed to be decidedly better, but that he is an extremely sick man, & could not have been saved without the closest & most particular attention. His recovery, now, is not at aU certain; but it is hopeful. I staid with him today, from 4 in the mor'g, till 4 in the P. M. Mr. Curtis is now with him. Mr. Evans goes at 10 oclock & I go again at 4 in the mor'g. Mr. Lawrence's family are all sick. Anna & Kitty are re- covering. Mr. Lawrence is very sick indeed, & I learn that Mrs. Lawrence & Miss McLeod are taken down today — Dr. L. thinks Mr. L. better, a little, than he was at 2 o'clock this mor'g, but Dr. Sewall is evidently very much frightened about him. I trust his life will be preserved. Mr. Evans has now gone over to see him. As soon as I close this letter, I am goi'g to bed, as I have had so little sleep lately. Adieu! my beloved wife — I hope, among all these troubles, that you preserve your health. Yours always aifectionately D. Webstee (To Mrs. Caroline Webster.) Satueday Eve 10 clock (March 14, 1840) My Dear Wife, I hope Ray is better. He had a very bad paroxysm this mor'g, at 4 o'clock — I was sent for, & have been with him all day, except'g time for breakfast and dinner. He cries so when I propose to come away, that it is impossible to leave him, unless FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS 627 Mr. C. or Mr. E. can take my place. Mr. C. is now with him, till 4) in the mor'g. I write this the more particularly, as I expect Henry will call on you, as he comes alo'g. Dr. S. & Dr. L. both say he is improving — but he is exceed' gly sick. Two or three times, I thought he wou'd not live an hour. Mr. Lawrence is thought to be better. Miss McLeod is likely to have a settled fever — no letter from you tonight — though I looked for one — Adieu ! Yrs I'v'g'y D. Webstee (To Mrs. Carolme Webster.) Tuesday Eve' 8 'clock [March 17, 1840] My Dear Wife. Beyond what I expected this mor'g Ray is yet alive.^ I do not suppose there is much more — perhaps no more — chance for his recovery — but he is more quiet, & easy — & this is a great consolation. How I do wish he might live till Henry shall arrive here ! — I am not very well today, from anxiety, & watch' g. I cannot sleep, till his state changes. He is well attended by physicians, friends, & nurses — & every th'g done that promises the best good — Mr. Lawrence's family are all recover'g — ^himself rather slowly. Yours very truly Danl Webstek (To Peter Harvey.^) (May 10 ? 1840 ?) Dr Sir Thank you for your letter. Let the salmon come on, when convenient — Several Whig mouths are watering for it. Mrs. W. desires her best regards. All political thi'gs look about right — Yrs D. W. • Ray Thomas died that evening shortly after eleven o'clock. See Curtis' "Life of Webster," vol. 11, p. 35. * Peter Harvey was the warm friend of Webster during his later years, and wrote "Reminiscences of Daniel Webster." 628 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER (To Mr. CormelV) My Dear Sir Boston Nov. 20. 1840 I had a severe illness, though not of long duration, the end of last month in N. Hampshire. I was on my paternal spot, under my own roof, with the graves of all my family near me. I did not feel dangerously sick, at any time, but I was worn out, with fatigue & effort, & had also taken a very heavy cold. After returning to Boston, & staying some days, I went to Marshfield, with my wife. There, the bad weather caught me, & I staid in the House a week, recruiting every day. (From Mrs. Sydney Smith.) 56 Gkeen Street, Grosvenor Sqre. To have reed, from your hands such a letter of approval may justify a little uride as well as much pleasure My dear Sir. — I have cherished the letter as it was but natural I should, & I was allow' d to keep it. Upon principle, dear Sydney destroy'd almost all private let- ters lest hereafter they should fall into other hands than those they were intended for. • Our old friend Mr. Th. Moore is about to prepare a little Memorial of his old friend. — One of the very best of men ! — whose great and varied virtues rested not on the surface only ! Most earnestly should I desire to make over to him this little Episode of yourself & Mr. Clay. I subjoin your letter, lest on reperusal you see anything in it to object to. — If you do, your wish for its suppression shall be imperative upon me. I beg to be warmly remember'd to your companions in travel into these Parts. & I hope you will believe with what truth I subscribe myself your most respectful friend & admirer. Cathakine Amelia Smith. P. S. The original is pasted into a book, or I would send it to you but this is a faithful transcript of it. Perhaps you may have Sydney's letter that called yours forth.- — If so, it would be most Mnd if some of your family would take the trouble of copying it for me. Sydney's answer to yours I did copy before I seal'd it.^ ' This letter is the property of the Pennsylvania Historical Society. ' See "Wit and Wisdom of Sydney Smith." FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS 629 (To Mrs. Jeremiah Smith.) J. M H • Washington, January 21, 1843. On the receipt of your last letter, I wrote to Mr. Ticknor of Boston, whom you know, not only as a scholar, and man of tal- ents, but as a friend of Judge Smith of long standing, desiring his cooperation with me, in preparing an Epitaph.-' He most readily concurred in my wishes, and very soon sent me a draft. Alterations were suggested, by me, in which he has acquiesced and the result of the whole I now enclose to you. If you shall be satisfied with it, we shall both be quite happy. If alterations occur to you, please suggest them to me with the greatest free- dom. I am Dear Madam, Yours with true esteem, Daniel Webster (To R. M. Blatchford.^) My Dear Sir Monday July 8, '44 I wrote you on Saturday, Yesterday, Sunday, I was at Nahant, & learned from Caroline that you wd. be at Nahant with your daughter, & perhaps your son, on the 10th inst. Your stay, I learn, is to be short ; but I must steal you away, for one day, to Marshfield, where we shall be then. Our home will be all in disorder, so that we could not receive your daughter, but you like to sleep on a sofa, & care little about eating or drinking, so we can take care of you, for a day or two. Now, as to the mode of coming. If you say so, my Boat, the "Comet," shall be at Nahant Monday the 16th & bring you across to us, Wednesday. If the weather be fair, the sail will be beautiful. Or, to be independent of weather, I will send up a man to meet you, Wednesday at 12 o'clock, at the Tremont House; to show you the way by the Hingham Boat, which leaves at one ; & who will take you rapidly from Hingham to Marshfield, with Mrs Webster's horses. I want much to see you, for a day, at Marshfield, preliminary ' See Morison's "Life of Judge Smith," p. 516. ' Webster's life-long friend. 630 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER to having you there with friends a few weeks later. Please let me hear from you by Thursday morning next, saying what mode of movement will suit you best. Any thing, but a balloon, or the "Lightning Express" shall be at your command. Yrs truly Dakl Websteu (To Nathan Appleton.) Private. [Aug 8. 1845] My dear Sir. If you deem this a proper letter,^ (the one enclosed) you may read it to Mr. Lawrence. If it would be better in any other form, please return it with your suggestions. My desire is, in effect, to express my readiness to let bye-gones be bye-gones ; & to restore the relations between Mr. Lawrence & myself, to the state they were in at the conclusion of the Treaty of Washington. I always feel that Mr. Lawrence rendered the country eminent service in regard to the negotiation of that Treaty & zealously furthered objects, a good deal important to my own political reputation, in the circumstances, then existing. I very gladly leave this matter entirely in your friendly direc- tion. Very cordially, &c. Danl. Webster. (To Nathan Appleton.) MARSHFIEIiD, Aug. 8. 1845. My Dear Sir, I have reed your letter of the 4th instant, & am obliged to you for it, as I regard it as a proof of friendship & kindness. I assure you. My Dear Sir, that I have no wish to sustain towards Mr. Lawrence any other relations, than those of that cordial regard, which subsisted between us for so many years. I fully appreciate the value of his character, his talents, & the useful part he acts in life, public & private. We have been politically associated together, & have cooperated, in some emer- ' See the following letter. gencies of public affairs, not unimportant, & not terminating, I trust, disadvantageously to the Country. (If it be Mr Law- rence's desire, it is mine, that our relations,)^ hereafter, shall be such, in all respects, as they were formerly, when we were em- ployed, together, in public service. I am. Dear Sir, with most true regard. Yours Danl Webster (From Nathan Appleton.) My dear Sir Boston 11 Sept 1845 I duly received yours of the 8th. inst. but owing to my own and Mr. Lawrence's absence from the City, I have not had an opportunity of communicating with him till now. I avail myself of the permission given me to suggest a slight alteration in the note intended to be transmitted to Mr. Lawrence and which accompanies this. — Instead of the words included in brackets to insert. It will give me much satisfaction to renew my friendly relations with Mr. Lawrence and that. — and I would also add at the end — With regard to what has taken place since, let by-gones be by-gones — but for the future may nothing during our lives mar the good understanding public and private, which it is my wish to cultivate — or something of that sort. — I think this change will express more explicitly, what it was your intention to convey — and I am quite sure will receive a cordial response from Mr. Lawrence. — With much esteem very truly, Yours N. Appleton Private. (To Nathan Appleton. ) Sept. 11, 1845. My dear Sir. I return the letter, having corrected it, very nearly according to your suggestions. Yrs. truly Danl. Webster ' The lines here italicized are underscored and bracketed in this copy of the letter, and Mr. Appleton' s letter, which follows, explains why. 632 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER (To Jacob W. McGaw}) Washington Mar. 13. 4)9 My Dear Friend, I lost no time in transmitting your letter to Mr Meredith, ac- companying it with some account of the writer It gives me pleasure to learn, from all that come from your quarter, that you are in good health, and the enjoyment of hap- piness My own health, also, is good But neither of us is so young, as we were, when Robert Wise ferried us over the River, to shoot pigeons on the Northfield Hills, and when we attended John Wilson's Dancing School, at the South Road. Yours, m° truly & faithfully, Dakl Webstee (To Moore Russell.) Fbankun. Oct. 6th '49 My dear Sir, I was much interested the other even*, by your account of what you remember of early times. There are few indeed I hardly know any, whose recollection goes so far back, is so clear, and united with faculties so much un- impaired — You alluded to the murder of Mrs Call on this farm. I wish to preserve all that remains known, of that oc- currence & the circumstances attending it : and if it will not be giving you too much trouble, shall be quite obliged to you, if you will request one or your sons to commit your recollections to writing. I think you say the Indian who killed Mrs. Call was called "Old John. Pray tell me all you remember, or have heard of him — who were with him — what were his motives, or what aroused his vengence: what became of him afterwards, & what was his end? On these points and indeed on all others connected with the case, I should be very glad to be informed of all you know, or have heard: and trust you will excuse me for giving you the trouble of answering the inquiry. ' Jacob McGaw was a life-long friend of Webster's. The original of this letter is in the possession of C. E. Bliss, of Bangor, Me. FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS 633 I shall use the occasion, My Dear Sir, to renew the assurances of my great regard and friendship. I have known you long and esteemed you much : and remember gratefully your kindness and good-will towards me, in the early part of my Professional and Political life. I fervently pray that Providence may still have you in His Holy Keeping, and that what remains to you of Life may be full of happiness and Christian hope. Daniel Webstee (To Henry D. Moore}) Louisiana Avenue Wednesday Morning Aug. 28, '50 My Dear Sir; I am quite obliged to you for your two bottles of Liniment. It so happened, that at the moment of their reception I was about writing to a Physician for a prescription for such an Article. Once a year, at least, & sometimes oftener, I have a turn of lumbago. Yrs truly Danl Webstee (To W. W. Seaton?) "Wednesday Morning. [1851] "My dear Sir, — Your leader to-day is Capital. It is exactly the thing needed, and that tone must be continued. The disturbers of the public peace must be made to feel the force of public opinion. "Yours, "D. W. (To W. W. Seaton.^) "I am sitting down, all alone at five o'clock, to a nice leg of lamb, etc., and a glass of cool claret — come. "D. W." ' Mr. Moore represented Pennsylvania in Congress, 1849-1853. This letter was kindly lent by Mr. Charles Roberts, of Philadelphia. ' Reprinted from the " Life of W. W. Seaton," p. 305. 634 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER (To the Duke of Rutland,}) Depaetment op State, Washington, 27 March, 1851. My Lord Duke. Among the crowds, who are flocking to England to attend the World's fair, is Mr. John O. Chowles, of our State of Rhode Island. He is an Englishman by birth, and has been a clergy- man of the Baptist denomination. He has been very well edu- cated, and is particularly a good classical scholar. Of late years, he has turned his attention, very assiduously, to agricultural topics, and is especially desirous of seeing something of the farm- ing and cultivation of England. He is amiable and trustworthy, and if it should be in your way to show him any kindness, he will receive it with a grateful heart. I seize the occasion, my dear Duke, to assure you of my faith- ful memory and recollection of the hospitality of Belvoir Castle, and the most agreeable acquaintances there formed. Mrs. Webster desires to join me in warm regards to yourself; and we both pray most kind remembrances to your daughter, Lady Emeline and Lady Adeliza. Of your sons, I had only the pleasure of seeing Lord George, to whom please present my re- spects ; but I see them all, daily, now, as they appear in the per- formance of their parts in the legislation of their country. I remain, my dear Duke, With the most faithful regard, yr obt. servt. [Dan'l. Webstee] {To William Sweatt?) Maeshfield, Mass. [April] 12th. 1851. My Dear Sir, I can hardly tell you with how much pleasure I have read your letter. I Remember your family very well, and you have stored up in your mind, a great many interesting recollections, respect- ing our native town. And I am as much astonished as you are, at the ignorance and apparent indifference of the great mass of ' Directed to Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire. This is taken ftom the first draft of the letter. " The letter from Sweatt is among the letters concerning the family relations of Webster. See Index. FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS 635 its present inhabitants, concerning their predecessors, and all that is passed. I remember all the School masters, whom you mention, tho' I am not clear that I ever attended Master Evans school. Master Quimby is still living, at Portland. He has descendants still living in the neighborhood. It is pleasant to see, that at an advanced age, you cherish so lively an interest in the past. We belong to the past, and to the future as well as to the present. This our country was ours, before we were born, and will be our country after we are dead. I like to contemplate its history and its probable future fortunes, as well as its present state, and I am thankful my dear Sir ; that my lot has been cast in such pleasant places, and without many afflictions. God has given me much to enjoy in this life and holden out hopes of a better life to come. I tender you, my old townsman, my best wishes for your health and happiness. Your friend Danl. Webster. (From Wm. W. Story.) Boston, Oct 3, 1851. Dear Sir I have indulged the hope down to the last moment, that I might be aided by your long friendship with my Father in the preparation of the biography of mine now in the press. I had especially hoped to receive from you more of his important let- ters. But in this I have been disappointed.^ With filial anxiety to place my Father's various services on record, & as far as it can be done without detriment to public interest or to private character, I have found no means accessible to me of exhibiting his intimate relations with yourself, & the Services you invited, which seemed to me so satisfactory as the introduction of some of your letters to him. The occasions to which they relate belong to the history of the Country; they involve no unsettled questions; they do not concern any private character; while they without doubt, help to illustrate my ' Mr. Story had written a long letter, June 10, 1851, calling attention to the particular letters written by Joseph Story to Daniel Webster which he desired. He also asked for some reminiscences of his father. A still earlier request was made May 20, 1846. 636 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER Father's abundance of knowledge, the solidity of his judgment, & the extent to which his counsels were sought on important & public affairs. Before committing these letters finally to the press I have thought it best to lay them before you hoping for your express sanction to their publication. As the press now waits, I have en- trusted this letter, and the proof therewith to a special messenger by whom I hope to have an answer. I have the honor to be Your obedt Servant W. W. Stoey (To William W. Story.) Maeshfield Oct 3d, 1851. Friday Evening 10 o'clock Sir, I have this moment received your communication, with the request for an immediate answer. All I can say without further reflection is, that my private letters to Judge Story which you propose to publish, are private letters, most of them unimpor- tant, and one or two improper for publication. I do not there- fore consent to the publication of any of them.'' Your obedient Servant Danl Webstee (Mr. Webster's Limes on Foote^ at Mr. Barney's Dimner at Walker's on Dec. M, 1851.) Oh, Thou ! whatever name delight thine ear. Governor, Senator, or Brigadier! Allow thy friends, who are sincerely thine. To pledge thy health in bumpers of rich wine, Although thy name be but thy lower limb. Thy head and heart are always in good trim. ' These letters have now been published in the Massachusetts Historical Society Proceedings, in the volume issued in 1901. There are nineteen written by Daniel Webster to Story, and two written by Story to Daniel Webster. '' Henry S. Foote, Senator from Mississippi from 1847 to 1852, and was then elected Governor of Mississippi. Later he was a member of the Confederate Congress. The words of this heading are indorsed on the paper containing these lines. FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS 637 Squadrons of cavalry may be disarmed, Flying artillery is sometimes harmed, But Mississippians put all these foes to rout Whenever they make gallant fight on Foote. (To J. J. Crittenden}) My dear Sir Washington, [June 11] 1852. Your note of yesterday has given me relief and pleasure. It is certainly true that your remarks at the President's the day be- fore caused me uneasiness and concern ; but my heart is, and has always been, full of kindness for you, and I dismiss from my mind at once all recollection of a painful incident. Yours, as ever, truly, Daniel Webstee. (To A. C. Kvngsland.) My dear Sir. Maeshfield July 26. 52. Enclosed is a very touching letter which Mrs Webster has received today, from Mrs Jones, widow of the late Adjutant Gen- eral Roger Jones. I do not know the young man, but we have been intimate with the Family, and have respected and loved them much. They are left in a state of great destitution & dis- tress, and we should be infinitely obUged if you could grant what is so earnestly requested. I am, my dear Sir, Yours mo truly Daniel Webstee (From C. C. Felton?) My dear Sir Cambeidge August 2. 1852. * * *3 'While I have my pen in my hand, I must express to you my grateful thanks for the inestimable gift of a copy of ' This letter is reprinted from "Life of J. J. Crittenden," vol. ii, p. 37, ''This is indorsed by Webster: "Reed. 4th Aug. Ansd. same day." Felton was at this time professor of Greek and later the president of Harvard College. ' A few lines containing a promise to come to Marshfield. 638 LETTERS OP DANIEL WEBSTER your works, with the precious autograph letter accompanying it. I have a son, now an infant, whom, if he Hves I shall train up in the study of these volumes, hoping to imbue his mind, from his earliest days, with the noble thoughts, so nobly expressed, in these imperishable discourses ; and if he survives me, and is worthy of the gift, though I may leave him nothing else, I shall transmit the legacy of these books, to be a guide of his life, as an Ameri- can citizen, and a proof that his father was not thought un- worthy of your regard. This will be "enough of heraldry" for him. With kindest regards to Mrs. Webster. I am, dear Sir, Most truly & sincerely yrs C. C. Felton (To Edward P. Little.) Maeshmeld, Sept. 25. 1852. My dear Sir, I deeply sympathise with you & your childrenj, in the affliction, which you & they suffer, in the loss of a wife & mother, whose life was so invaluable to you & to them and who was so much an object of respect & love, to all who knew her. I earnestly com- mend you & yours to patience & trust in God. I shall most gladly speak most warmly of yr. estate-' — ^to any one whom may think of buying. I regard it as one of the land- marks in the town, containing good lands & buildings, well cul- tivated, & fruitful, situated in the bank of the river, a short dis- tance from the sea. Your friend [D. Webstee] ( To Hiram Noyes. ) MAESHriEXD Sept. 17/52 My Dear Sir — I thank you for the box of pears. They are precious to me, as coming from the Birth place. The tree which bore them was planted by my maternal Grandfather, who had been a soldier, and lost a leg in the old wars. He spent the last years of his ' Mr. Little had written of the death of his wife and had asked Webster's aid in finding a purchaser for his farm. FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS 639 life with my Father & Mother. In addition to these pear trees, he planted some apple trees directly South of the present house. They bore delicious fruit, and since my recollection, nobody could compare with the fruit of this orchard, except two clergy- men. Rev Jonathan Searle, & Rev. Samuel Wood. I hope John Taylor's family have got over their fright. Yrs truly D. W. (To Rev. Savage.) Entirely Confidential. Maeshfield Oct. 10th. 1852. My Dear Sir, I hear that there is likely to be a controversy between Mr. Horace Noyes and his mother respecting his father's will. This gives me great pain. Mr. Parker Noyes and myself have been fast friends for near half a century. I have known his wife, also, from a time before her marriage, and have always felt warm regard for her, and much respect for her connections in New- buryport. Mr. Horace Noyes and his wife, also, I have long known — Her Grandfather, Major Taylor, was an especial friend of my Father's, end I learned to love every body upon whom he set his stamp. These families, during very many years, have been my most intimate neighbors, whenever I have been in Franklin. It would wound me excessively, if any thing such as a law suit, should now occur between Mother and Son. It would very much destroy my interest in the family ; and, what- ever might be the result, it could not but cast some degree of reflection upon the memory of Parker Noyes. I know nothing of the circumstances, except what I learn from Mr. John Tay- lor; and I do not wish to express any judgment of my own as to what ought to be done, at least without more full information, but I do think it a case for Christian intercession. And the par- ticular object of this letter is to invite your attention, and that of the members of the church, to it, in this aspect — Mr. Noyes is understood to have left a very pretty property, but a controversy about the will would absorb, very likely, one half of it. My end is accomplished, my Dear Sir, when I have made these sug- gestions to you. You will give them such consideration as you think they deserve. It has given me pleasure to hope that I 640 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER might write half a dozen pages respecting Mr. Parker Noyes and our long friendship ; but I could have no heart for this, if a fam- ily feud, after his death, were to come in to overwhelm all pleas- ant recollections. I dictate this letter to my Clerk, as the state of my eyes pre- cludes me from writing much with my own hand. Yours with very sincere regard, Danl Webster (To D. A. HaU.\) At. 20. Dear Sir, Allow me to call your attention to the enclosed, which I have addressed to yourself. My only chance of saving this little sum is for you to go directly to Mr Agg, & make a strong appeal to his sense of honor, & his hope of any future respect or regard from me. I ask your attention to the subject, & however it may turn out will see you rewarded. Yrs truly D. Webstee I wd give any length of time, if any body, who is trustworthy, would undertake to pay it. ' Addressed to D." A. Hall, Esq., Washington, D. C. The letter is owned by Mr. Charles Roberts, of Fhiladelpliia, who kindly loaned this and other letters to the editor. ?^aniel mthmt, tl^e fannet of jmarjsl^fielti. W EBSTER was, as he often declared, naturally a farmer. To his latest hours he looked back longingly to the boyhood days "when no cock crew so early that I did not hear him." Though he confesses that he never could hang a scythe, yet there is no doubt that he got a pleasure in seeing some one else do it. He knew how everything ought to be done, and no eye was keener for the merits of every farm and every method of farming. In the letters amd papers here presented, most of them for the first time, one may see the vntvmate knowledge that he had of' every tree and shrub, every variety of fruit, of grains and of vegetables. He lists the cattle, measures them, watches their growth and health, and studies the question of profit in handling them. To satisfy him the steers must be as well "trained and drilled as a couple of dining-room waiters at the Astor House." He takes an honest pride in his Ayr shires, his Alder neys and his Durhams. Old St. Stephen, the Hungarian bull, does not lose favor even after he has nearly killed Webster's favorite farmer, John Taylor — not even after Fletcher Webster has denounced all Hungarian quadrupeds and bipeds — classing St. Stephen with Kossuth. He took a quiet pleasure in having steers so terrible that, where they were, "people must tremble for their skins." When he was sick at Franklin he took a real joy in lying on the sofa and seeing the droves of cattle pass. There are thoughtful cautions in his letters that the oxen are not to be over-loaded, and, on the other hand, the thrifty solicitude that there be no idle teams. Even the "piggery" was an object of his care, which did not cease until their hams were properly cured and hung up for future consumption. Wherever Webster traveled, his mind was alert for every detail of the country's agriculture. In England he took notes upon the method of ditching and tilling. He studied the methods of irrigation and the nature of the soils. Shrewd observations are noted on the way to make farming profitable. He returned from the South delighted that he could talk, like an eye-witness, of [641] 642 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER cotton fields, rice plantations, turpentine, a/nd cypress swamps. The information gained in these journeys he sought to apply to farming at Marshfield and Franklin. He loved personally to superintend every detail of the farm work. Memoranda were made to distinguish between the differ- ent varieties of fowl and cattle and trees. He directed the con- struction of the buildings, even giving measurements and size of timbers. The letters contain kindly cautions for the future and gentle reminders of failures in the past. The farmers are told to be ever on the watch for kelp when the sea threw it on the shore. Nothing, he constantly urged, could mare enrich the land. He showed the necessity of working the ground well. "We want no pennyroyal crops," he adds facetiously. Minute directions are given for the trial of new implements. He sends newspaper clippings about the use of guano and bones and sul- phuric acid. There are suggestions for little economies and detailed plans for laying away the provisions for the winter, with observations on the best methods of preserving. He lays out the farm work for a season, mapping the ground and plan- ning for the Tnost successful rotation of crops. Then come the genial, hearty letters in the spring, warning the farmers that he will soon "be among them and put the plows going." Every- body must be stirring. The boat must be painted, the boathouse mended; brush piles are to be burned and rubbish cleared away. All look forward to his coming and loved to hear him say, "After all, this is the very sweetest spot in the world." At Marshfield or Franklin he was a farmer among farmers. We find his neighbors sending him gifts of their most choice stock or their rare seeds and shrubs. He in turn was always' sympathetic and thoughtful and neighborly. To the farmers of his own lands he said, as in his letter to John Taylor, "You and I are farmers; we never talk of politics — our talk is of oxen." When he came home to "the old elms and the sea," he delighted in the sight of Seth Peterson "in his red shirt sleeves." He is willing to share their simple fare; they are to make no extra preparations ; but, as he writes, just "have a fire to hang a pot over to boil a piece of pork." On the farm he is up with or before the dawn, and many of his letters are dated half-past four or five in the morning. He knew the morning, he said; he was acquainted with and loved it, "fresh and sweet as it is, a daily new creation breaking forth and calling all that have life, and breath, and being to new adoration, new enjoyments, and new THE FARMER OF MARSHFIELD 643 gratitude." His enjoyment of the farm was real, direct and intensive. He was as proud of John Taylor's fine carrots as of the reply to Hayne. "Oh, Marshfield, Marshfield!" he cried in his letters from Washington, and he watched eagerly, amid the affairs of state, for Porter Wright's "Gazette," as he calls the letters about the farm. In reply he rarely mentioned public affairs, and never but once did he write politics to his farmers, and then he said he never' would again. He closed that letter with an exhortation to John Taylor to thank God, morning and evening, that he was born in such a country — "which does not oppress you, which does not bear you down by excessive taxation; but which holds out to you and to yours the hope of all the blessings which liberty, industry and security may give." Usually his communications were plain farmer's letters, but there were exceptions, as is that cheery, poetic letter to John Taylor, where he pictures the spring thaw and "the little streams running down the southern slopes of the Punch Brook pasture, and the new grass starting and growing in the trickling water all green and bright and beautiful." He even quoted a charming passage from "Mr. Virgil," and asked honest John Taylor whether the verses did not call to his mind his own "Durham oxen, smoking from heat and perspiration." After all, he concluded, Mr. Virgil only said things which John Taylor "up at Franklin" understood as well as ever the sensible author did. With this exception, the letters were sternly practical and departed from the themes of cattle, grain and produce only when they, perchance, discussed the bargains to be made with the rent- ers of his land, or were filled with indignation because they had not treated him fairly. He loved to talk of "a little farm well tilled," but he evidently was ambitious for a great estate. He had Washington and his great plantation in mind. Among the letters here presented we shall find him sending Fletcher into the West to care for the lands in which he had already invested, and to buy others. Then, with an even more elaborate scheme, he sends Ray Thomas upon another commission, which, with the earlier, failed and left the great statesman struggling in the toils of debt until his dying day. The plans failed not so much from lack of judicious man- agement on the part of Webster as from the fact that he bought his lands just at the beginning of great business depression, when all land value in the West began to decline. It will be of interest to notice the dates of these letters devoted 644 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER to the vocation he loved, and see from what great national con- cerns he turned to write them; for, as he said, his mind rested when he thought of Marshfield. "I shall take to myself the wings of the morning," he wrote to his son when his health had been endangered by overwork, and the phrase well described the eagerness of his flight to Marshfield. There, as he said, he grew stronger every hour. "The giants grew strong again by touching the earth; the same effect is produced on me by touching the salt seashore," (Mr. Webster on Farming.^) [1852] "General Wilder and gentlemen of the United States Agricul- tural Society, I am happy to see you, one and all. Brother farmers, you do me no more than justice when you call me the 'Farmer of Marshfield.' My father was a farmer, and I am a farmer. When a boy among my native hills of New Hampshire, no cock crew so early that I did not hear him, and no boy ran with more avidity to do errands at the bidding of the workmen than I did. "You are engaged in a noble enterprise. The prosperity and glory of the Union are based on the achievements of agriculture. Gentlemen, I will say to you what I have never before said, that when, forty-five years ago, I was called to Dartmouth College to pass my second graduation, I attempted, in my humble man- ner, to speak of the agricultural resources of the country, and to recommend, for their fuller development, organized action and the formation of agricultural societies ; and, if memory does not betray me, it was at about this period of time that the first agri- cultural societies of this country were formed in old Berkshire and Philadelphia; (loud cheers by the delegates from Pennsyl- vania and Massachusetts ; ) and though I have never seen that unimportant production since that day, the partiality of any of my curious friends (bowing and laughing) may be gratified by exploring amongst the slumbering archives of Marshfield. When, some thirty years ago, I went to Marshfield, some of my kind ' During the meeting of the United States Ae^icultural Society in Washing- ton several of the delegates called on Mr. Webster. He received them very cordially in his dining-hall, and, after shaking hands with the company- addressed them as above. THE FARMER OF MARSHFIELD 645 neighbors would call to inquire the state of politics in the South, and others to know a bit of law from 'the squire.' I told them, 'I have come to reside among you as a farmer, and here I talk neither politics nor law.' Gentlemen, I am naturally a farmer ; I am most ardently attached to agricultural pursuits ; and though I cultivate my lands with some little care, yet, from the sterility of the soil, or from neglected husbandry on my part, in con- sequence of my public engagements, they afford no subsistence to myself and family. To you, farmers of the West and South, the soil of Marshfield may look barren and unfruitful. Some- times the breezes of the broad Atlantic fan it ; sometimes, indeed, unkindly suns smite it. But I love its quiet shades, and there I love to commune with you upon the ennobling pursuits in which we are so happily engaged. Gentlemen, I thank you for this visit with which you have honored me. My interests and my sympathies are identified with yours. I shall remember you and this occasion which has called you together. I invoke for you a safe return to your homes. I invoke for you an abundant har- vest ; and if we meet not again in time, I trust that hereafter we shall meet in a more genial clime and under a kindlier sun. Brothers farmers, I bid you good-morning." ^ (Seeds, Plants and Trees from Mr. Peirce's.^) [1832] Seeds. Willow Oak. Chestnut oak. Spanish oak. Pin oak. Box Oak. Black Jack Oak. Grey Oak. — as many of the above varieties, as may be convenient. — Black Walnut. Not a great many nuts will be needed, of any one kind — say, from a pint to half a gallon. — Plants. — Sassafras 20 American lime or White Sweet gum 10 or 15 Bass 20 Red mulberry 10 Fringe tree 10 Judas tree 10 Spice wood 5 ' This is taken from a newspaper clipping the source of which is not noted. Internal evidence seems to vouch for its authenticity. ■^ This memorandum in Webster's hand is indorsed by him in the words of this heading. The trees seem to have been meant for Marshfield. 646 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER Dogwood 20 Willow oaks 30 Iron wood 1 or 2 Chestnut oaks 30 Black gum 5 Norway fir, Cypress — Spikenard 5 Yew — Juniper 2 or 3 Tulip popular. . .20 or 30 each. Clematis — Ivy — (some large) Sarsaparilla. Tennes- Chincapin 10 see Rose. Papaw or custard apple European Larch... 10 or 5 5 or 10 Black walnuts 20 (or less) Several sorts, besides the Tennessee, of Reeving (?) Roses. — put them in pots, & the pots put in a large box. — say, 20 planted, in all — or 25 — (at 25 cts if duplicate) otherwise, 37 1/2 — 20 Hollys, in pots. — My man, Charles Brown, will call on Mr. Peirce the 15th of October. He will give any aid he can, in collecting the seeds, & getting up the plants; &, when all are ready, will take the charge of them to Alexandria. — Mr. Peirce will please write me, when the whole is shipped ofi', directed to Boston — with the bill— c— D. Webstee. I wiU thank Mr. Peirce to give, on the paper, such directions, as he may think useful, abt. the management of these plants, & seeds, the sort of soil for sowing & setting them, &c. — ^to be minuted agt. the article.— This is the substance of the order left with Mr. Peirce — ^not exact, in all things. — (Provisions.) [1833] For beef, fresh or corned, & for tongues, sent to Mr Saunder- son, in the Quincy market — Mr. S. will have ready for you, & perhaps will send, every other Monday morning, a piece of corned beef — If you do not like the piece, you can give direction for one different. For poultry, of all sorts, send to Mr Baldwin — For fresh pork, hams, sausages, or anything of that kind, send to Boyd 4" Dinsmoor THE FARMER OF MARSHFIELD 647 For apples, nuts, & things of that kind, send to Mr Tombs — and for all sorts of vegetables — For mutton, apply to Mr Knight — For Butter, send to Mr Hovey ; & let him know who sends — For Mutton, to Denison, Moses & Co. Broomfield Street — ^ (Memoranda Upon Farming m England.^) OSSINGTON, Nov. 8. 1839. Tile draining began in this part of England. Probably the Duke of Portland was the first to commence the practice to any great extent. Hitherto, the practice has spread more in Scot- land, than in England ; but now it is adopted with much spirit, in this part of the latter country. Thro, all this region, the substratum is a stiff, tenacious clay; & for such lands dra'g is useful. Of course, it cannot be required, in sandy, or porous soils. In this part of England, where the lands are clayey, & where there is often not natural descent enough to take off the water rapidly from the surface, it is said that dra'g will add a fifth, or a fourth, to the Wheat crop. It costs six pounds per acre, of which cost the tiles constitute one half. The drains are made seven yards apart, & the tiles laid 20 inches deep. A sort of plough, made for the purpose, is first used, which cuts up the sod, 8 inches wide, & 6 deep, & turns it handsomely over on one side. The rest of the digging is by the spade — ^the tiles are then laid, & covered & the turf turned back. The tiles are abt. 14> inches long — and may be said to be the section of half a cylinder, of about 4 inches diameter inside — the shell about 1/3 or 1/2 an inch thick- — In general, they are not quite a semi- circle — ^but a half cylinder, a little flattened > — this mark may represent the part view of the end, or outfall, of a tile drain, & so give the shape of the tile. — I have been today over fields drained, & others by their side, not drained. The difference is obvious & remarkable. The first, notwithstanding the extreme wetness of the weather, are capable of rec'g. seed wheat — some are sown — the others are altogether too wet. Water is running very fast out of the outfalls, or ends ' In Daniel Webster's hand. ' These notes in Daniel Webster's hand. 648 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER of the drain — and none seen stand'g on the top. What is re- markable, is, that drained lands suiFer less from the scortch'g heats of summer, than the lands without drains. The reason is thought to be, that b'g kept generally drier, they do not bake in the sun, when hot weather comes, as lands do that have been wet on the top. When there are cold Spgs in the land, the drains are made much deeper — sometimes 5 or 6 feet. On the whole, it seems reasonable to believe that much of the strong clayey lands of England will shortly be improved, in its productiveness, by the process of dra'g, 20 per cent — Tenants are so sensible of draining, that tho' tenants at will, yet, hav'g an expectation to remain, they will be at the expense of mak'g the drains, the Landlord furnishing the tile. The rec- ommendation of tile, is the comparative cheapness of carriage. The D. of P. supposes also, that the tile drains are less likely to get out of repair — & it is certain that the labor of lay'g them is much less than that of stone. The land here is not stoney — few stones are to be found. It is rather a rich soil, & all underneath a rigid, dark colored clay. Sheep. Mr. D. hires this year 3 rams, at 12 f each — A Gentleman in Williston ( .'') gives 80 £ for the use of one — A /am should not have more than 80 ewes. A good Leicester will clip 8 lbs. Memo fence 6 stands of wire, running thro Posts — abt. 6 inches apart — & 1/3 — or toward 1/2 inch — in diameter — 1/3 is large end — A great deal of hurdle fence and for temporary purposes. OSSINGTON Nov. 11. I have this day been to see the stock of Mr. Parkinson, a dis- tinguished cattle breeder in this country, who occupies a farm belong'g to Lord Scarborough. His breed is the short horn. He showed us, I should think, from fifty to a hundred animals. They are fine, but prices enormously high. For his best cows, he asks 80 to 100 guineas. For 2 yr old heifers in calf 50 f for a bull calf 30 or 40 £ and for one bull calf, not more than six weeks old, of a very favorite mother & by a distinguished bull, he said he should refuse 100 guineas. I think I have seen as good animals, tho' these are very fine. I find the red — & red & THE FARMER OF MARSHFIELD 649 white color — not liked — the grizzled or • fawn & blueish — the speckled, rather than the black & white — &c. are preferred. [Diagram was inserted here. ] Memo, Mr. Doncaster} — to preserve Swedes Turnips, throw them into heaps, no matter how large, & throw over them loose straw, or litter — If bound close, they are apt to rot. Mr. D. has the greatest opinion of tares — winter tares — sown in August, — 2 bushels to the acre — & 3 pecks rye — to hold it up. — mows it for cattle — ^just before ripe — use it green — or dry it — (Duke of Portland's Water Meadows?) MEADOWS. The Duke told me his carrier was 5 miles long — ^the river is the Mason ( .'' ) — At present, he waters about 300 acres. His manager gave me the following statement — — 1. The water is kept at work the whole year, flow'g over some part of the land. It is watered, part at a time — & as well in winter as summer. — — 2. Ab't. Christmas, South down ewes, bei'g then lambs, are put to feed on this land. It will then be as green as land in June. In March, the lambs are sold, & will be worth at 8 weeks old 2 1/2 to 3 £ each — — the sheep are then taken off- — & the land watered. The water is kept on 3. 4. 5. or even 6 days — till it is seen that the grass has got a good start — It is mowed in May, & will yield 2 tons — — It is watered again, & mowed in July — 2 tons more — And again in the fall — two tons more. — The third mow'g is now goi'g on — I saw the grass & should think the quantity not too high stated. The cattle are now eat'g it, green but it may be dried, if weather suits. These fields have never been manured — ^though some of them have been mowed ten to 15 years. Their product is as great now as ever. The water leaves a little sediment, on the grass, as ' This is a memorandum made by Webster while in England. ' A memorandum in Webster's handwriting, made while in England. 650 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER thick as a knife. 400 hundred cattle are kept on part of this produce. I saw abt. 150 — very fat & fine — many of them worth 30 to 40 £ a head. This land, 20 years ago, was a barren part of Sherwood forest — It was sold for a shilling an acre. It is now worth from 3 to 4f . Just along on the edges you still see, gorse, viz, (heath) fern &c growing on the sandy rough lawns — the whole region is thin, sandy soil — ^red sand stone ly'g below the surface — Some of these fields are so sandy, as that the sand was blown by the wind. The River runs thro the town of Mans- field, & is supposed to b'g some nutritious aliment for plants along with it. — Sort of grass — this grass is generally hay seed — ^by which is meant seed of natural grasses, generally found in Derbyshire — ^where it is to be bought — it seems a good grass — tho' some thot it [illegible] — sometimes whole clover is sown — sometimes rye grass. Mr Tibbels does not like . (Memoramdum for Farming for 18^8}) [Feanklin] 1st. All land, planted or sowed, except up on the hill, must be ploughed with the subsoil plough, as well as the common plough. To this, there must be no exception, not even of a single rod. — 2. On the North side of the Road, plant & sow 8 acres of corn : 8 3 Do. of turnips , 8 3 Do. of potatoes. . . ., i 3 1 Do. of white beans. 1 15 The corn to be at the upper end of the field ; then turnips, then potatos, then beans. The turnip land to be dressed with ashes, if to be had, at about 100 bushels to the acre. All the land should be ploughed this fall. Plant the potatos early ; for the kind, consult Govt. Hill. II. Great field. 1 . Sow oats, where the com is now standing. ' Indorsed "Northfield, or IS acre piece — and the Great Field." THE FARMER OF MARSHFIELD 661 2. Sow oats & peas where the potatos grew, this year, at the rate of 1/2 bushel, of each, to the acre. Be sure to get good seed peas. — (Memorandum for Mr. Taylor}) NovB. 3, 1850— Things in and about the House, — appels — scend two barrels to Mr Blackford " one to S. A. Appleton one in cellar for my Self. Hams to be put into ashes, boiled up & placed in the T. Cham- ber — 2. Dun fish, to be left in the Same room, — Bottels of sperits & wine to be Counted & Locked up in the wine Closet — With tea Sugar candles coffee &c 1 pare Pistols fishing rod Spyglass, &c. (Farming for 1851}) 1 Continue the plowing on the Hills. Have the piece measuered immeditly, & the account scent to me, I will in Season direct about the manure & the Crops to be put in, Probaly potaters turnips & Beets & a small patch of beans & a nother of peas, — 2 Break up in the Spring 12 acers at the lower part of the field plant 10 acers with corn, land well manured 2 acers on the high- est part with potaters with out manure, — 3, — Sow oats & Grass Sceed on the following peeces viz — In the 15 acer lot, 4 1/2 acers- — Where the corn is know standing 6 3/4 acers. Where the potaters ware this year in 2 peices 4 acers, in all, 15 1/4 acers — 4. one rye field on the Hill probaly say 8 1/2 acers — 5. Take care of my Mothers Garding, & the Land adgoining & put it in good order, do not plow up her Garding, plant the rest with Punkins, 6. plow the orchard & sow it with oats, Take away the ded & Useless treas, & set out a few nice young ones — ' This is in John Taylor's hand, but is evidently from Webster's dictation. 652 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER In the Spring, be sure to dig Round all the apple trees in the South parster, — FiU my shed ac ful as nessecery with Sound wood — — make 6, or 8, Gates, 3 of them Like Mr Noyes — Repare my Boat, make oars & — Co — — ^Let Charles Keep one 4, or 5, or 6, Turkes — Take 2, for Thanksgiving & Crismas, Git the rest fat, & scend them to Re- vere House — Rais 100 Chickens next year, — (Memorandwm, of Cattle} ) Marshfield Nov. 8. '60. Working oxen, & Steers trained & to he trained 1 pair white faced oxen, 6 or 7 years old — when in flesh 7 feet 4. 5 yr old oxen, viz Durhams 7 feet Black & red 7 feet in flesh 1 pair 4 yr olds jumpers. 6 feet 7 inches 4 pr 3 yr olds viz twins, 6 ft. 3. Black Steers same Red & lined back — 6 ft. 4 inches Yellow steers, 6 ft. 3 inches 2 yr olds 3 pairs viz. 1 pr raised at home, lap horn — 2 pair had last year of Mr Ames — Yearli'gs 1 pair — raised at home likely 1 pr Devon Steer calves Miscellaneous Steers, &c — 1 pr big greys. 1 odd Ayrshire Steer. 3 Bulls Devon- Ayrshire Aldemey. 9 beef cattle ' In Daniel Webster's hand. THE FARMER OF MARSHFIELD 653 Cows At the large Bam 8 Full blooded Ayrshlres — 1. Raised here — 1. Seth Weston 1 imported 5 Alderneys — one old mouse color — 1 from Mr Calls, several years ago 2. imported this year — note 1 imported this yr for Mr Haven, black, red & white — 1 red 3 yr Ayrshire cow I Noyes cow 1/2 Ayrshire — ; 2. 3 yr old heifers II in all Cottage — ■ 1 Devon 2 twins [etc. etc.] Canvass back, & red heads. — The most obvious differences between these varieties are three. 1. The length of the bill; the red head has a bill nearly half an inch shorter, & rather stouter, & more blunt. — 2. The size of the foot ; the canvass back has a very broad web ; — the Red head, a much narrower web, & more slender foot. — 3. Generally, the Canvass back is the whitest back. — Of both sorts, the Drake has a blacker, & the duck a redder head : & the Drake also is most usually of the whitest back. — Memo. Abt. a mile from the Capitol, north, by the side of a row, or branch, & near the house of Mr. Moore, there may be found, with- in a very small place, the following different species of oak, viz. White oak Red oak Black oak Willow oak 654 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER Gray oak Spanish oak Pin oak Box oak Black Jack oak Chestnut oak June 20. 1832. Sheep Marks. We have now Three Breeds of full blooded imported Sheep; viz: Leicester, Cheviot, & South Down Every sheep & lamb, known to be full blooded, of these Breeds, must be carefully marked, with a Separate mark for each Breed — 1. Leicester; a hole punched through the right or left ear. 2. Cheviot a hole punched through the ear opposite to that on which the Leicester is marked. The Cheviots, or some of them, are already thus marked. See that, in due season, all are. 3. South Down. A proper crop, or mark in one ear. There should be no slits. Those look bad, & sometimes tear. But take out a small triangle, with a little chissel, or an iron made for the purpose, thus — or, if you have an iron made for the purpose, cut may be in the shape of a half moon, thus f^ — In like manner, we have two distinct breeds of cattle, viz. Ayrshire, & Herefordshire. Let them, at least all the young ones, be marked in the same manner — & let the mixed breds run, unmarked. A regular account must be kept, of the birth of every full blooded calf. Our stock of cattle & sheep, (all paid for except what you owe Mr Ames) is worth at least 3000 Dollars — We must take care of them, & begin a course of regular sales next Spr'g. It is time, now to sell someth'g. We have been buying a good while. Yrs. D. W. Plan of Farming The general plan of farming for the year, laid down last Fall, must be pursued; subject to such alterations as circumstances may require — An important item is the New Orchard. I wish this to be particularly well done — THE FARMER OF MARSHFIELD 655 Mr Breck will furnish the Trees, apple 85 peach — or tell us where they can best be had. I wish them to be handsome, & thrifty, as near of a size as may be, & talcen up with the greatest care. This is a main point. I have lost hundreds of dollars, by lay'g & plant'g trees, taken up without roots. I am afraid to trust any nursery man's workmen with this. Mr Thomas, or Mr Gardner, or some other competent person must see to the whole of it. Let no Tree be brought away from the Nursery, till it has been examined, & found to have a fair & good root. This is all important. The sett'g out will be done under Mr Mori- son's directions, & eye ; ^ will of course be well done. I hope the com field on the Island, which was one of the last additions to our plan of the years work, will come to someth'g. We have learned, by this time, not to plant com, unless on ground thoroughly manured. — It is a great object to plough the land, on the side hill, in front of the House, as proposed — I like the plan of furnish- ing a team, & having the plough'g done by the acre. — As to cattle — I have not much to say, until I hear from you. I suppose 4 or 6 of the oxen should be turned out to be fatted — and about 20 head sent, in May, to Franklin. — The "mismatched" oxen — the "Harlow" oxen & the "Kelley Oxen," may stay at home, & fatted — & the odd ox. This will leave for work the 4 large red oxen, & the Brown 5 yrs olds. Or one pair of these last may be turned out, if there will be teams enough, without. For Franklin, there may go up the large John Taylor steers — ^the 4 yr old steers, if not thought good to keep for work, & some of the likeliest three year olds — & two year olds — Or if pastur'g be wanted by the neighbors, some of the oxen may be sent up — I suppose the oxen at the Island, might as well be fatted, this year. The large 3 yr olds (now soon to be 4) I hope will be found good to work, & fit to be kept at home — I think 6 old oxen, & 6 4 yr olds, & 3 yr olds will be team enough — If not, add an- other pair of 3 yr olds — There will soon be 4. — Keep a good team, & enough at it, but noth'g useless — 656 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER Ox Barn. 1st. hovel. 2nd. The mountaineers — The Durham Steers — The white faces — The Ames Steers — The Black & Red— The Hazeltine Steers— On the other side — The Jumpers — The Twins— The 2 yr old Steers, The yearl'g Steers, &c. — - For Fletcher's Barn Some of the Steers which have now in our pasture, & per- haps the 4. 3 yrs. olds, which we turned down below the other day. As to the 5 yr. old oxen, if they are not sold, they may stand in Fletcher's Barn, & eat turnips, till somebody wants them, for beef or work — I have no objection to keep the white faced 3 yr. olds, if there is room, & nobody wants them for work'g cattle. (Keeping of the Cattle.) 1. Put the 20 steers, now in the pasture, into Mr. Osgood's barn, in one or more hovels, as may be convenient, & let them be regularly tied up, every night, & properly taken care of. Put no other cattle in this barn. — 2. Let the Hereford Bull & cow stand in the West end of the great Barn, & also the black 2yr. old, now in milk, unless she be sent to Marshfield. 3. Keep the calves wholly by themselves. 4. Tie up the rest, in the three hovels, & let them have the large yard. (Cattle — Franklin.) 10 fat 4 yr. old steers — for the market 6 full grown working oxen — 3 Mr. Taylor & Mr. White The Nesmith oxen, & the two off oxen. — 6. 4 yr. old steers, for work, viz. the Triest steers, the Mountaineers, & the steers raised here. 2 cows — 6 3yr. old steers ; viz. the black steers — & the two pair of Sawyer steers. The Sawyer Steers may be sold for beef, if thought best. The Triest Steers, & the mountain steers not for sale. THE FARMER OF MARSHFIELD 657 The off oxen, one or both may be sold, for good prices — The two pairs of Sawyer steers may be sold, or sent to Marshfield if you & Porter think best. — I incline rather to see them ; but you & Porter Wright [best] may judge. If the two off oxen will bring high prices, they may be sold ; altho. I think they would make fine Marshfield Beef. Cattle. 1. Beef cattle. There are 4. — The Barrett oxen, the cow & the Syr. old steer — all to be fed. When Capt. Sawyer next comes along let him take the off Barrett ox, & the cow. Feed the Syr. old steer while the pumpkins hold out; — then sell them to the butcher, & give me credit for them. Feed the near Barrett ox, till Christmas; then kill him, & give me credit for him, at current price for the best beef — not less than 6.50 per 100. Cows — There are six cows, now on the farm, & will be a seventh next Spring. Mr. Taylor may have the use of 4. to be kept on the farm, being the Ayrshire cow, black — white face cow, & the two cows bought of Mr. Kendrich at $20 a yr for each — he to have the calves, & without — charge for the Bull — The black two yr. old heifer, now in milk, to be sent to Marsh- field, if convenient — The Hereford cow, & the other black heifer to be left, to rear calves. I may put on the farm a cow or two more, to raise calves. — Mr Taylor will come down, on Friday next the 3rd — ^bring- ing the cow — & the two sheep — nicely dressed. Swme. — Fatten the great hog; when killed, take 200 lbs as the part belonging to Mrs. Taylor's dairy — give me credit for the resi- due, as agreed. Fatten the small farrow hog; when killed, put it up for me, in a nice barrel, by itself, & put it in my cellar. Cure the hams and shoulders. Cure & smoke the hams & shoulders, of this hog, & smoke them, & put them up nicely, in cotton cloth, & ashes. Keep the two sows, & raise pigs as fast as you can ; & sell none till further orders. 658 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER Sheep. There are now 51 half-blood Leicesters — 13 half-blood South Downs — 12 half-blood Merinos — 1 full blooded Leicester Buck 4 half blooded, do. Oo — 1 Full blooded South Down. 1 Sell all the half-blood Merinos at once. — 2. Sell the two smartest half-blood Leicesters. 3. Put half the Leicester Ewes to the full blooded Leicester Buck ; & half to the large half -blooded Do. 4. Put all the South Down Ewes to the South Down Buck. Keep the breeds entirely distinct. All the sheep must be kept, better than common. In September, some of the oldest Ewes, & weathers, must be brought down to the bam, & fed — To be sent to Mr. Webster at Marshfield. 1. The handsome 3 yr old Hazeltine Steers — dark red — 2. The red steers, with brown faces — 3 yr. old of my first pur- chase, of Mr. Pike — Mr. Pike gets a handsome pair to be sent in their room — 3. 1 dark chestnut 2 yr old — Hazeltines 4. one pair 2yr old — bought here of Mr. Bates. 5. one pair large limbed — red 2 yr old steers. 6. one pair 2 yr. old — large bodied — Plymouth 7. one pair Do. one yellow and large; the other speckled, & not quite so big — 8. . One pair Do. — ^red — ^very much alike — thorns turning in — In all, 4, 3 yr. old steers — & 12 2yr old. and 4 yearlings' steers, to be bought by Mr. Pike. Mr. Pike is also to but 12 more steers, say 2 — 3 yr olds, & ten — 2 two yr old — or 4 Syr olds, & 8, 8 yr olds, if better opportunity, & one handsome beef oxen — also 2 or three milch cows, if they can be had, large & handsome, & not milch calfs — all them to be left with Mr. Taylor. D. W. Agriculture. Bone manure A good article on this subject, is 7 vol. of Highland Society — page 75. by Mr. Lincoln's — ^Experiments prove it an excellent manure, wherever lime is deficient. THE FARMER OF MARSHFIELD 659 On calcareous earths it produces little effect — The quantity, 36 bushels to the acre. Top Dressimg for pastures. Same vol. 159. — ^very good essay. Materials for top dressing — ^lime — soil — stable manure, good earth, having lam m the cow yard (§• become saturated is better than any th'g else. — manure, like lime, is a certain cure for mess, (?) & fogy — will br'g white clover. Sea weed is also highly recommended. & shelly sand — a por- lion, musceles — All fields should be sheltered, by a belt of wood — Same subject page 82. Old pastures should never be broke up — it takes a life, to re- establish them — for all soils, conta'g acid salts, lime is necessary. A Field Gate p. 210.— bars, taper' g — from 4 to 3 in breadth from 1 1/4 to 3/4" thick not hung between the posts, but on the face of the hang'g post — By this means it falls quite back, so that carts do not strike it— — the upper hinge shortens, by means of a screw & nut. — [Diagram was inserted here.] Vol. 8. p. 113. Lucerne. sowed 3 acres — in April. 18 lbs. to the acre, light, sandy, but deep soil, sown in hills — it must be hand weeded — hills 9 or 12 inches or 15 apart — a tolerable crop in the fall — — cleared again in Sp'g — 5 feet high by June. 4. abundant crops. — -stands 17 years without manure It must be mowed with great care, the first year — The best way is, to sow it as much as 15 inches apart, so as to clean between the rows, with a hoe — Put the seed into a bottle, with a hole, or quill, in the cork — 25 lb to an acre is not extravagant — & I think not too much, for our land — There is, in the same vol, an account of sundry very successful experiments of manuring land, by sowing buck wheat, & plough'g it in — 660 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER (Observations upon Mr. LeRoy's Farm}) Tuesday, May 28. [1851] (?) Arrived at Avon, eve' of 27. On 28th A. M. visited Mr E. LeRoy's farm. It lies on the Genessee River, north of the road, lead'g from Avon Bridge, & consists of 1800 acres. — The land is of three characters. 1. Flats. This is purely alluvial, low, & level. It is subject to be overflowed. When the county was settled, much of it was prairie. It has gre'at depth of loose soil, vegetable mould, & other deposits. On the banks of the river, where the roots of trees are exposed, they are seen six, eight, or ten feet from the surface. The trees still remain'g are fine, especially elm and white oak, some of them very large. This land is adapted to grazing, but uncertain for wheat. In very dry seasons, wheat has succeeded on it. 2. The hazel flat. This is a table of land, rather higher than the last mentioned. It is flat, well covered with wood, undoubtedly, I think alluvial, but an earlier formation. It is not usually overflowed, & is, per- haps, more valuable than the lower flats ; as adapted to wheat, as well as grazing. 3. Upland. This seems a peculiar soil. It is full of small stones, & the ground covered with a growth of oaks, of no great size. To the eve, it does not seem to be extraordi- nary land, but its fertility is very great, especially for wheat & clover. When ploughed little pebbles, stones or clay as they would seem, are turned up, in great plenty ; but these crumble, or dissolve, by exposure to the air, & seem to be marl, or a mix- ture of lime & clay, or some such th'g, which I do not exactly know about. This land grows better by cultivation. It will yield two crops of wheat — then one of clover. — ^then one yr pas- turage; & then wheat again; all without manure. — The only rotation seems to be, from wheat to pasturage, sometimes cutting with the scythe, the first year after wheat. The lands up & down the River seem much like Mr LeRoy's. — I saw no difi'erence between his flats, & those at Genesee. — The highland, or upland, near Genesee, was higher, & seemed to have a heavier original growth. Mr. LeRoy cuts, on his lower flats, 200. or 250 tons of hay. This is housed in small barns, or barracks, stand'g round on the flats, & is fed out, thence, to the cattle. The cattle live on the meadows, thro' the winter, except work'g oxen, milch cows &c. ' The memorandum is in Webster's handwriting. The date is probably 1851. THE FARMER OF MARSHFIELD 661 And so do the sheep. Mr. Le R. winters 100 or 150 head of cattle, & feeds out to them 2 tons of hay a day — This is car- ried & spread over the field, by a sled, or waggon; so that the growth of the flats is consumed on them. These flats are some- times plowed, but some of them have not been ploughed for 40 yrs, & yet bear good grass. — The feed is now abundant. — (To Mrs. Carolme Webster.) Jan. 11. 1836 Monday 2. clock in Senate Dear Wife In writing to you yesterday, I forgot to say a word about the big cheese.- — Mr. Meacham^ the Donor, has gone to Boston — & you will probably have seen him, before this reaches you. — He wants to exhibit the Cheese, I suppose, to get a little some- thing to pay expense of transportation kc- — I have given him a letter to Mr. I. P. Davis — I think it is unwise in him to have an exhibition — I think he is better without it — on that point, however, he must consult Mr. I. P. D. — No message from the President today — Yrs D. W. (To Ray Thomas.?) Senate, friday April 29 (1836) Dear Sir I have reed copy of your log book up to April 24. P. M. Seatime — all well & right. I hope you will secure the avenue ag't. these overflowings of land — Please continue your es- teemed favors — I hear there is another young lady in Milk Street. — I notice that Mr Winthrop advertises the silver "Abele" — or silver leaved poplar — or whatever you call it — such as is in the centre of the circle , in front of the House. He says he has them, by hundred & thousands & that they grow remarkably well on the Beacon st. In this last particular, I incline to think he is right. If you think so, please ascertain 1 See "Private Correspondence," yol. ii, p. I*, Meacham to Webster, December 8, 1835. 662 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER how cheap they are — & if they are cheap, quite cheap, you might get a parcel & set out — a good many on Cherry Hill, & others elsewhere — They are very pretty, & if hardy, will soon cover the ground, & I incline to think they are rather hardy. Yrs always D. W. What has become of Charles Henry Thomas Esq ? ? ? (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Washington, May 13. 1836— My Dear Son, This letter came today. — I have not heard from you, beyond Hagerstown. If I get no letter by tomorrow, I shall have considered you will have reached Wheeling — will be fast passing on, & I shall therefore next address you at Toledo. — We have nothing of much in- terest here. The H. of R. are still debating to what Comee they shall refer the land Bill. The City has been full of Boston people — Col. Perkins, Mr Wm Sullivan & daughter, Mr R. G. Shaw & family, Mr Brad- bury & daughters, &c. — — No news from N. York. [D. Wbbstee] * (To Mr. Murphy.^) Washington May 23, 1836. My Dear Sir I have rec'd y'r letter of the 16, & am glad to hear from you. My Londonderry land rises every day, at least in my own estima- tion. I might be persuaded, possibly, to take 40 Dollars an acre for it, now, (tho' I do not engage to do so) because I want money, but if not disposed of by the first day of July its price will be 50 Dollars pr acre, & from that day nobody need look at it with an expectation of buying it for less. We have very hot & very dry weather here. Mrs. Webster & ' This letter is in Daniel Webster's hand, but unsigned. Fletcher Webster was on his way west to look after his father's land interests there. ' This letter is in the possession of Judge Corning, of Concord, N. H. THE FARMER OF MARSHFIELD; 663 Julia are still N. York, but I expect them here this week. I fear Congress will sit to the end of June. Yrs D. Webstee (To I. W. Kelly. ^) Washington June 9. 1836. Dr Sir The diflSculty with Josiah White is, that there is neither grati- tude, honesty, or truth about him. I have written to Dr. Pres- cott to take possession of all the wood which is cut, & not drawn off. By your account he expects to get his living — to buy his flour, hay &c — by cutting & selling wood, on my land. Let me know if the writ of possession is yet in force, or can be revived. As he has planted, I may leave him through this season, if he behaves well — but my patience is exhausted — & I will have no more to do with him. Yrs D. W. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) Washington June 12, 1836 My Dear Son Your letters to Mr Davis & Mr Cramer, (not Kremer) were reed about a week ago, & were very satisfactory to those Gentle- men. They praised them highly, as evincing intelligence, on your part, & attention to the important business in which you are engaged. Mr Edward Curtis happened to be here, & praised them, & still more regretted that he was not with you. I have no letter from you since you left Toledo; but I learn by a letter from Mr. Davis that you left Detroit, on horseback, about the 27th of May, I suppose for Jackson, White Pigeon, & so on to Michigan City & Chicago. — At the latter place, you will have found various letters from us. It is still uncertain when Congress will rise ; but various things call me to the North, & it is my purpose to depart between the 24th June & 1st of ' I am indebted to the kindness of Judge Corning, of Concord, N. H., for this letter. 664 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER July. We have nothing very interesting. It has been, on the whole, a dull & barren session, with this exception, that it will have ended with the creation of two new States. The Toledo boundary, I believe, goes around to the Ohio claim entirely. We hear little from Boston. At last date, Mr White's family not left home, five days ago. I believe he is detained by Mr Delands illness. The East Boston lots, it is said, sold very well. Under another cover, you will find a communication, upon a particular, & new undertaking. As Mr Upton has brought this about, partly for the reason of giving you business, I doubt not you wiU do your very best to accomplish the expectations of the parties. You wiU continue to address me after the receipt of this, supposing this does not reach you till after the 24th, as I presume it wiU not, as at Boston. — Indeed I may be already leaving Washington when this reaches Chicago. About coming home — when may we look for you.'' I think, there is sometimes fever & ague in the lake Country, & as you are not yet well (acclimated) if that is the word, you would do well not to stay too long, especially if it should be probable that the affairs which you will have on hand will call you back in the fall. It is expected very important sales will take place in Wis- consin, in October, as you will have learned, & a great many peo- ple will be present. There is no doubt, that if you come home in August, having done tolerably well so far, you can take back a good deal of money in the fall. What I would suggest, is, that, with the advice of Harding, & other friends in Chicago, as of Mr Whitney at Green Bay, you employ one or two good men — say two, & send them in different directions to explore for you, in Wisconsin, in the lands which are expected to be for sale. If you then return some weeks before the sale, you wiU then re- ceive their report, & act accordingly. I understand, where one has the requisite previous knowledge, a favorable opportunity of entering lands exists, just at the close of the public sales, while others are gone into the woods to examine, &c — All these things, however, you will know more about, than I could tell you. Mr Haight leaves this place for Wisconsin this week, — He will probably find you at Chicago. He thinks you ought, by all means, to attend the sale, as he thinks the Company, assembled on that occasion, will be willing to give you one or two prime chances. There is something in this, worthy of being considered. In all your operations you should appear to be acting for yourself ; or, at least, for yourself & pig ; and as it is very prob- THE FARMER OF MARSHFIELD 665 able that this business may induce you to make your home in that region, at least for some time, you should, on all occasions, act as much [as] possible as if you were already a Western man. Mr Davis intends going to Detroit, immediately on the rising of Congress. Very possibly, you may fall in with him, some- where. I think it likely you will not receive this letter, until you have seen the waters of the Missippi. Adieu ! My Dear Son — I shall expect to receive a letter, in 5 or 6 days, announcing your arrival in Chicago. — Your affectionate father Danl Webster D. F. Webster Esq With other members of Congress, I have taken a small inter- est in Whmebago City — this is fancy stock. I expect little or nothing from it. * * * ^ (From D. Fletcher Webster.) Peeu [IlKnois] Dec. 28, 1837. My dear Father Since I wrote you last I have made a long visit to St. Louis, on business for the Col. I had a very tedious time coming homf' on account of delays from the interruptions of navigation by the ice. * * * I shall be very glad to see Lowrie; though I am somewhat afraid that he will be spoilt by the Col's, rascally Irishmen who are the laziest set of good for nothing rogues that I ever saw. We have had a good deal of trouble with them ; I shall hail Ray's arrival with great pleasure as a signal for their dispersion. We are surrounded by Irish — more than half the Col's tenants & all his workmen & women are from Green Erin. They steal from us by the wholesale. I hope a few years will make a great change in the population of Peru & Salisbury. * * * ^ I saw the President's message in St. Louis — I thought there was not much in it. How contemptible his allusions to the elec- tions were — What would Gen. Washington or John Adams have thought of such paragraphs in a President's message. The Col. says that Illinois will go about right. * * * Fletcher Webster • Address omitted. ' The omitted paragraph concerns Fletcher's private business. 666 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER (To N. Ray Thomas}) Washington March 6, 1838. Mr. N. Ray Thomas Sir, You are now about to proceed to Illinois and other North- western states as my agent, Your principal duties will be of two kinds. 1st. In the first place you will have the care & disposal of the lands lots and parcels of real Estate belonging to me in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan & Wisconsin with power to sell ex- cepting the estate or farm called Salisbury near La Salle. You take with you an account of these pieces & parcels of property of which account I also retain a duplicate. You take also the patents, land office receipts & deeds & agreements of individuals showing my title — There are shares also in incorporations and Joint Stock Companys of which you have the regular evidences. My design is that you should sell this property or any part of it if opportunity should offer which you think favourable. In the course of the ensuing season I hope you will be able to visit most parts of the country where this property lies so as to ascertain its value, and be able to act understandingly in the sale of it. You are also authorized to exchange any of it for other property if a favorable opportunity arises, and in case of sale of any part you may re-invest in other purchases in your discretion. It is not my wish to extend my interest in that country, but rather to contract it, and to dispose of a great part of what I own as soon as the time shall be favourable; still you may reinvest in cases that seem to be advantageous — You will take care not to interfere with my agreements with Geo. W. Jones & Levi C. Turner or other persons who have purchased for me with which agreements you are acquainted. In case of sale you will see the proper commissions paid to those who made the purchases, ac- cording to their respective agreements. 2nd. Your other main duty will be to carry on my farm called Salisbury. You will look at the Deeds which are said to be sent to Ottawa — see what land they contain, and see what land they comprise — My wish is to have a very large farm, as large as ' A younRer son of the family from whom Daniel Webster purchased his estate at Marshfield, Mass. In the summer of 1837 Webster had made a journey through the West. He now proposed to establish a large estate in that country. See Curtis' "Life of Daniel Webster," vol. i, p. 57171 THE FARMER OF MARSHFIELD 667 one active man can well superintend the management of — If this estate be not large enough at present, find out what adjoin- ing lands may be bought and at what prices — Fletcher and his family live in the house, and I presume you will live with them — You will keep an account of whatever produce of any kind he receives and of whatever he contributes towards the pay of any labourers or for other purposes — My object is to realize an in- come from this farm — You will therefore manage it with economy and to the best possible advantage — The farm must be well stocked — you will employ your own labourers and will have no master over you in whatsoever respects the farm, but will of course consult freely with Fletcher on all important matters, not only in relation to the farm, but in other concerns of mine — You will keep accurate & exact accounts of expenses & income from the farm, as also proper accounts of all sums received & paid on my account in the sale or purchase of property, or other- wise. You will please write me regularly on the first, fifteenth and last days of every month and oftener if occasion requires. As to compensation it is understood between us that you shall receive Two thousand dollars for one year, commencing on the first day of January last — You are to be allowed travelling expenses from Boston to La Salle, and also travelling expenses, on all journeys undertaken from La Salle on my business — Your personal expenses Clothing board &c you will defray your- self — You will be entitled to keep a horse on the farm for your own use — Yours truly Danl Webster (From D. Fletcher Webster.) Peru. [Illinois] Sept. 26th. 1838. My dear Father, Things occur every day to delay me and every day I rejoice that I am still here to attend to them, although I am indeed most anxious to see you all & my wife & child again. * * * if Ray Thomas were here I should be more able to leave, but there is no one to take proper charge of the farm; the men are be- coming clamorous for pay and I have been obliged to give them all I could raise in any manner & indeed to furnish some supplies besides. Your farm is not carried on well nor can it be on the 668 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER present plan. It is too expensive. I have very much to say to you on this subject when we meet. Ray has done all he can & everything has been made the best of — ^but I will keep all my remarks until we meet. » * * Daniel F. Webstee. (From E. Phmney.) My dear Sir Lexington [Mass.] 25th March 1839. I send you three of my pigs, of which I beg you will do me the favor to accept .;. . . .,. .,. . . . . ..... ; it will give me pleasure to renew your stock, and as I hold, that, to one who has done so much to save our bacon, every farmer should feel himself bound to furnish him with the best materials for the making of his own. With proper treatment I have no doubt you will find them to be an ornament to any swinish community. — Please direct your farmer not to feed to high least they wax fat & become idle and useless — With my sincere respect I am Dr Sir yr Obt Servt. E. Phinnet. (To D. Fletcher Webster.) My Dear Son, Washington Jan. 6. '40. This Mr. Hancock, whom I believe you have seen, lives near Fremont, close by Mr. James. — He says he has a very good estate, with nurseries &c, which he is in danger of losing, for the want of one or two thousand Dollars, & that if he must sacrifice it, he prefers it should fall into my hands, as an old acquaintance. I do not know that any thing can be done for him, as I have no money, but he was so urgent that I promised to write to you. If he could be bought out, cheap, or any arrangements made, that should compensate for a great sacrifice, — & if the creditor would wait till next autumn, perhaps something might be done. But there must be a strong inducement — At any rate, I cannot come under obligation to pay any money, short of the next au- tumn. Perhaps you can make an agreement with the creditors, to suffer his debt to remain, until, having seen what Hancock proposes, you shall see me here, — THE FARMER OF MARSHFIELD 669 I pray you, ascertain what has been done with the Bank Mortgage on Mr. Hubbard. Has suit been brought upon it? — And what has been done with Mr. Hubbard's Bill in Equity? — As you were at Chicago, you probably learned something of these things. There is nothing particular new here. Genl Harrison will hardly be here before February. His Cabinet is not yet under- stood to be made up, & nothing known beyond what is generally said to be settled, as to two seats in it. AH were well at home, when I last heard. We have had a series of very cold days, which are continuing — Yrs affectionately Danl Webstee (To John Taylor}) Dear Sir Washington May 23. 1840. Mr Samuel Lawrence of Lowell has presented to you & me a bull calf, now at Lowell, one month old. It is from a full blooded imported Devonshire bull, & a fine cow, 7/8" Devon- shire, and one eighth Durham. It is bright red, except the tip of the tail, which is white, and a little white about the fore feet. I wish you to send for him, as soon as you receive this. I ex- pect he will make something more than common. The blood is excellent for steers & also for milk. He now drinks milk — He must be taken up carefully in a cart well fed with milk by the way & have as much milk as he wants till I see you. Do not put him to any cow — ^but give him milk in a pail. Send for him as soon as you can. I wish I could say when Congress will adjourn. One of my first visits when I get to Boston will to Franklin. Remember the turnips — I will write to Henry W send you directions & to Mr Fletcher to send you up some seed. Sow about June 20th — I sow in drills 28 inches apart — that admits the plough. Has Seth Weston sent you your plough.'' — The land should be ploughed just before sowing, the seeds soaked, so as to start quick, and then the turnips will get ahead of the weeds. I hope you will make the fields shine this year. We shall write you in season about the horses. Yrs truly Danl Webster. ' Webster's farmer on the estate in Franklin, N. H. 670 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER (To Mrs. Caroline Webster.) Tuesday 3 o'clock [Sept. 29, 1840] Dear Wife I could not get away this eve'g, on acct of the necessity of cor- rect'g the report of my speech. I go tomorrow — ^right thro to Wilmington — & stop at Phila. on my return. — I feel better today than I have done for two months — but I am run down & run over with calls. Give my love to Julia & S. I shall expect to find a letter at Washington. Yrs always I'v'ly D. W. What a lovely night you had — I got up once or twice to look out — today is lovely Oh, Masshfield ! — Marshfield ! (To Mrs. Carolme Webster.) Franklin [N. H.] Oct. 26, [184(0] Monday morg. Dear Wife, You will perceive, that this letter is in the hand writing of Mr. Haddock; and it is well, that he is with me, for I have been quite unwell for the last three or four days. They carried me from Nashua to Francestown & from Francestown to Oxford, in these miserable go-carts, called barouches — aU open at front, and, as the wind was from the North-West, with much rain, I had to bear the beating of both. I took up Mr Haddock at Hanover, and, when I arrived at Oxford, on Thursday evening, I felt down sick, and went immediately to bed; and kept it till noon, on Friday, when I went out, and made my speech, returned & went to bed again, & sent for a Physician. This Physician gave me quantities of Calomel, and, on Saturday morning I felt somewhat better. I was received into the home of Col. Bissell, a gentleman, whom you saw on the 10th of Sept. at our rooms, with Mr. Britton. He and his wife are the kindest people in the world, and gave me every attention. I don't know, that I shou'd have escaped a fever, if I had been obliged to take the room of the tavern. Feeling better on Saturday morning, and the gentlemen furnishinjr a close carriage for Mr Haddock & myself, we set out for this place, but only reached Andover that day; for when I got there I was very much fatigued. We ar- THE FAKMER OF MARSHFIELD, 671 rived yesterday at ten Oclock ; but, still, I did not feel well. Com- mon medicine, such as magnesia &c. seemed to have no effect. My skin was very dry and hard. I, therefore, sent for a Phy- sician, & told him to give me a powerful emetic, which he did. I have heard of Thompson's Medicine, some called "screw auger," some called "wild-cat," but I never took any thing which made such thorough work with me ; I feel much relieved this morning, and mean to get up by & by. But I dictate this, from my bed. By way of variety & amusement we had a fall of six inches of snow last night! I shall not be able of course, to attend the meeting at Salisbury today. I lament this very much; but it cannot be helped. I have written to Mrs. Heeley to inform all inquirers, that I shall make no more speeches any where, or under any circum- stances. I shall keep still, here, today, and amuse myself by looking out upon the snow. And as soon as I feel able, I shall take the stage coach to Nashua, & so home. Mrs. Ezekiel is about visiting Boston. I think I shall meet her at Concord, and bring her along. John [Taylor's] Family are well. He'd a severe fit of illness in the summer, arising I suspect, from overwork ; but he is now quite restored. When we saw him, he was fearful, that the drought would much diminish his crops, but they came in better than he expected. He beats all N. H. for turnips & carrots, which important things I thus mention to you because, wheii you have all read this letter, in Boston, I wish you to send it to Henry Thomas; and for the particular benefit of Henry, I wish to add, that John will send down the oxen by the first opportunity, and, perhaps, two or three young cattle with them. And so no more at present. Yours truly Danl Webster in bed (To Mrs. Caroline Webster.) Fbanklin Oct. 27, 1840. My Dear Wife, I am much relieved since my letter of yesterday, by the severe operation of medicine, the night before. I am, however, ex- ceedingly weak, & find it most comfortable to be on the sofa & 672 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER dictate a letter to you. I had thought of going homeward to- morrow, but the dampness of the air, occasioned by the fall of snow, may render it imprudent, unless I should recover my strength very fast. Mr. Kelley & Mrs. Pierce have been down this morning and made me a call. They are quite well; Mrs. Kelley seemed not be in good health; she is more feeble than usual. The meeting at Salisbury, which I was not able to attend, went off very well. Mr. Bartlett & Mr. Joel Eastman addressed the people. I have just been out of doors to see John Taylor's beeves and turnips. I pass the time lying on the sofa, & looking out of the window, to see the droves of cattle pass, & hearing John Taylor and our cousin talk. Several friends have called, but have kindly made their visits short. Mr. Noyes inquires kindly after you; so does Mr. Pierce. Mr. Haddock sends much love to his dear good Aunt, & more especially to his cousin Julia and her lit- tle girl. I am charged with burning the — Convent at Charles-town.* Do you recollect how I did it ! Will you promise not to betray me, if I deny it ! I see there is a great row in N. York. Yrs &c Danl Webster by C. B. H. (To Mrs. Caroline Webster.) Franklin Wednesday mor'g [Oct. 28, 1840] Dear Caroline, I write you today, with my own hand, that you may be as- sured of my convalescence. I staid at home yesterday, very much, and lolled on the sofa. Mrs. Mr. Kelley & Ellen, Mr. Noyes & others called in. I talked of every th'g but politics, & speeches, but not a word of that. What doings in N. Y ! I do ' In the North American Review of January, 1841, vol. liii, p. 268, there is quoted from "Grattan," an anonymous writer in the Washin^on Globe: "Daniel Webster was reposing on a couch in his marble palace at Boston, and enjoying from his windows the conflagration of the Charlestown Convent in 1836, while a word from him might have put a stop to the devastation." There were three miles of buildings between his house and Charlestown. THE FARMER OF MARSHFIELD 673 believe that B. F. Butler is one of the greatest rascals living.^ I hope he will come to his deserts. I am sorry today the weather remains damp, & the snow does not go off, though it is not very cold. Unless tomorrow should be a decided bad day, I shall go to Concord in the P. M. & home the next day. I wish you had come here as I proposed. I would staid a week longer, for the pleasure of rest & quiet. Mr. Had- dock will probably quit this Eve'g. He has been of great ser- vice to me; & I leave him room here for a post script, to give you an account of what he proposes for the winter. Yrs truly Danl Webstee. My dear Aunt. You see that uncle writes a little like an old man. His hand trembles a grain. I think this is more owing to politics than sickness ; though he looks rather wan, I must confess ; and I have all the labor of disposing of John Taylor's turkies & squash pies. Mr. Webster is very prudent in this particular, indulging him- self with a little gruel & a cup of tea now & then. The symp- toms of disease are clearly much abated ; and I doubt not he will be able ta ride tomorrow, if the skies smile. I hope to see you in the winter, at Washington, where I pro- pose to spend a month. Possibly I may meet you at New York before you go on. With true regard Yours &c C. B. Hadduck. (To Seth Weston.'^) Nov. 1, 1842 Dear Sir; As to the fatting sheep, please send one, well dressed, to Mr. Appleton, the middle of this month, & one to Mr. Paige, the first of Deer. — If either of them write for it, of course send an- other. You may as well continue to feed them on oats & corn, instead of turnips, as they are so soon to be killed. You can kill one for your own use that of the neighbors whenever you like. — ' Benjamin F. Butler, of New York. ' Mr. Webster's farmer on the Marshfield farm. 674 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER As to the beef cattle, get the red ox & the cow along pretty fast, but do not kill either, till further directions — As to kelp, should it come on, I am more & more in doubt what to do with it. I think, 1st. that we shall not get along to our minds, with either the Peach orchard, or the piece enclosed on the Hill without another coat of manure, either plowed in or spread on the land. 2. That it is not best to break up any land in the pasture, till those two pieces are put in proper condition. Therefore, let us, either, 1st. Spread the ashes on the Peach Orchard, & run the chance of grass coming up ; & top dress the lower piece with kelp, if we get any, or plough up both, and manure them as well as we can. These two pieces are as much exposed to view, as any two on the farm. They look ugly, & will, till properly manured. Think of these matters. D. W. (To Seth Weston.) Washington Mar: 31, 1843. Dear Sir: We have had warm weather lately, with much rain ; and as it looks as if the winter was at last breaking up, I have come to a sudden conclusion, that I must be among you, & put the ploughs going. Look out for me, at Green Harbour, on Friday next, the 7th day of April, at 1 o'clock. — (dinner abt. 2) — Probably Ed- ward, or Mr. Appleton, or both, will be with me. We shall want nothing to eat, but pork and potatoes, & a fish, which I intend to take. Lydia & Aunt Browne, or somebody else to help Lydia, must be put in requisition, as soon as you receive this ; that the House may be opened, & aired. The large Boat must be launched, & in order. The admiral must bestir himself. The black mare must be in readiness, &c. Nothing but bad weather, or accident, will prevent me from arriving, as above. If anything occurs, I will give you notice. Yrs truly Danl Webster THE FARMER OF MARSHFIELD 675 (To Seth Weston.) Dear Sir, feb. 25. 46 I have written for a "Biddell's Scarifier", & a Garrett's Horse Hoe"— See what is said in pages 9 & 10, of the book I now send you, on the subject of White Mustard — I have written for some seed — — I am expecting to hear from you every day, about Franklin. Yrs D. W. (To Seth Weston.) Dear Sir ^^^ York Tuesday Novr. 3 (184)6). A rain commenced here on Friday, Eve, & continued, moder- ately, & with wind, till Saturday afternoon. A strong blow then sprung up at N. E. & the rain increased. All day on Sunday wind & rain continued; & so through yesterday— Last night the wind hauled to the S. E. where it is now ; & it has been rain- ing quite hard, in successive showers, this morning. At the present moment, (10 O clock) light appears in the west & it looks as if it would clear. You have heard of the accident to the Oregon, & the disaster of the Rhode Island. Notwithstanding this violent eastern wind, the weather has been warm as summer, & is so now. This is remarkable. I hope the rain has reached southward, so that our parched lands may be refreshed, & the springs filled. I am thinking of kelp. The S. E. wind may br'g it along. We shall leave here tomorrow, if the weather is fair ; but in all probability shall not reach Marshfield till Saturday mor'g; by the early train — If we do not send other word, let the waggons there be ready for us, at Kingston — I suppose two must be sent, on account of trunks. Yrs truly Danl Webster. (To Seth Weston.) ■pj o- Washington Jan. 14. 47. We arrived here on Saturday, the 9th, & it was fortunate we 676 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER did so, as a very heavy snow fell, on Sunday, & Sunday night. The weather is uncommonly cold, for this place. I rec'd you first number soon after arriv'g, & was glad to hear from you, & to know that are well. It is far more agreeable to think of Marshfield, than it is to think of the Mexican War. News this mom'g from New Orleans is rather alarming. There is reason to fear that Genl. Santa Anna may have fallen, with a Superior force, on one of the detachments of our Army. — We shall know, in a day or two. Before leav'g Boston, I spoke to Mr. Howe to send down some lumber by Capt. Sherman. This will save the necessity of buy'g at Quincy. If all signs do not fail, I shall be able to send some money next week. Yrs truly Danl Webster I shall soon look for No. 2 of the Gazette. You will find writ'g paper, quills &c, in my Library, or in my office. (To Seth Weston.) Washington Feb. 12, 1847. My Dear Sir I reed your letter yesterday. The arrangements made or pro- posed, respecting the Cottage, &c are entirely approved, & may be carried into eff^ect, as soon as convenient. The little addition to be made to the Cottage must be neat, & well put on, so as not to look bad. I should like to know a little more about the plan, & probably shall have time & oppor- tunity; since I have concluded to go home, before we undertake any long journey. Congress rises on the third, & I shall prob- ably see you by the 10th of March. I am glad the hands find a little kelp, now & then. Whatever leisure time they have, I hope they will employ on the stones, & in the new field. I expect to find Mr. Whit'g with a handsome, well trained, young team of four or five yokes. I enclose a check for $250. Danl Wright must have someth'g tho' I hoped he w'd have picked up enough in Boston. Some THE FARMER OF MARSHFIELD 677 little press' g things you can pay off. Mr. Cushman, probably, can wait without inconvenience, till I get home. The weather here has been remarkably changeable, rain'g one day, & freez'g the next. We are quite well. If I remain of the opinion to make a journey to the South, Mrs. W. will be likely to stay here, while I am gone home. Yrs truly Danl Webster Keep up the Gazette. (To Porter Wright. ?) Dear Sir Mae. 29. 47. I wrote you yesterday, but by accident the letter failed to get to the P. Office — It goes with this — I send now some memoranda, to which I wish to draw your attention, with that of Henry Thomas & Porter — Any thing you send off, on Friday mor'g, will find me here, or be sent on, & overtake me at Richmond — Address me, as here. You must all take a day, to make out a despatch. Tell me the present state of things, as fully as you can, in all respects — farming, cattle, oxen, cows, calves, sheep, lambs, goats & kids — horses, mares & colts, & swine & pigs. — Is the business arranged, between Porter & Mr Morrison, about exchange of Houses &c — .''■ — — ^Tell me all, that all of you can think of — Mr Baker will report on geese, turkies, chickens &c. — Is the new hen house ready ? — When will the hens move ? We must lay out, once more, coops for turkeys, at home, & on the island. I shall continue to write to you, as things may happen to come to my mind- As far as I can now see, I shall smell the ocean at Marshfield, just about the first of June. It may be 5 or 10 days earlier. Porter will get a little mon'y for his beef, & I must know what else will be wanted, to preserve life till I come. — — I hope some stones have been hauled for the wall, in front of the House. We ought to make a good long stretch, this Spring — It should be built immediately after planting. Yrs. D. W. 678 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER (To W. W. Seaton}) Boston, June 21, 1847. My dear Sir, —We came up from the place of places,^ three days ago, and have inflicted on ourselves a residence of that length in Boston; to-day we hasten back to the Old Elms and the Sea. Mrs. Web- ster has received J -'s letter from New York, and bids me say that she has obeyed all its injunctions, requests, and intimations. Our journey was shortened, to our disappointment. StiU it was pleasant. We saw many new things and many good people. I can now talk, like an eyewitness, of cotton-fields and rice planta- tions, turpentine, cypress swamps, and alligators. — Think of us at Marshfield, — on our piazza, with how and then a grandchild with us, a pond near, where 'cows may drink and geese may swim,' and Seth Peterson, in his red shirt-sleeves, in the distance. Then there is green grass, more than we saw in all the South,^ and then there is such a chance for rest, and for a good long visit from 'tired Nature's sweet restorer'. — Yours, D. W. (To Porter Wright.) Boston Nov. 15 — 47. Monday Mom'g. Dear Porter Wright; A Devonshire Bull, & heifer, will probably be sent to the farm, this week — about Wednesday or Thursday — Let them both be kept at the ox bam, so as not to mix with our old stock — The Bull must be kept up. Perhaps a good place would be the little hovel in the Piggery. They are Devonshires; the heifers is 2 yrs old, & very large. Perhaps she is likely to be better for calves than for milk. She is of the same family as the bull ; but it is in calf by another Devonshire bull, imported by the So- ciety — If the weather should continue open, & there should be no ■ Reprinted from the "Life of W. W. Seaton." p. 305. « Marshfield. ' In a previous letter he asserted: " There is more greenwood now in Marsh- field than in South Carolina and Georgia." THE FARMER OF MARSHFIELD 679 kelp, & you should get time to plough any, I wish you would plough the orchard, near the house. Those apple trees need help from ploughing & manure. There is ploughing enough, also, to be done in the Cushman field. Yrs D. W. The Bull & Heifer are from Mr. Samuel Lawrence, at Lowell. Mr. Barker must take good care of the man, while he chooses to stay — (To Seth Weston.) Washington Deer. 24. '47. My Dear Sir I thank you for your letter, & shall be quite obliged to you to write me, once a week, as heretofore — Tell our good friend that money was very scarce, when I left Boston, but that I have the promise of some, shortly — , I send a little today to Porter, for Mr. Hathaway & Sylvester, who are quite in want. — I hope you keep ice, & the ice house, in memory. What lit- tle ice we were obliged to br'g last summer from Boston cost us money enough to build a good ice house. I am anxious to hear about kelp. — If the fish will keep off, & kelp will not come on, they [wiU] very much break up our farm- ing projects. We have an expensive team, eat'g hay & turnips, & doi'g lit- tle- How is Porter.'' Yrs D. Webstee. (To Seth Weston.) Washington Jan. 23. 48. My Dear Sir; I was glad to hear, by your letter, that Porter Wright's wife was better. We had begun to be concerned about her. The winter, so far, has been unsteady, but I presume the last four or five nights have made ice, with you. Here the weather has been very fine, for near a week. The days are warm, & the nights clear. 680 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER I should be very sorry to lose Mr. Hatch, but I really do not see how I can agree to raise his wages. Our labor already costs so much, I cannot make it cost more. I like him very well, espe- cially as a hand to go with me in the Boat, & to take care of our navigation. But on the farm, you know, there are some sorts of hard work which he cannot well do. Though quite sorry to part with him, I shall have no hard thoughts, if he finds he can do better, elsewhere. If he should not stay, the Boats will probably all remain, till July. As soon as the Supreme Court adjourns, I shall take a run home, say about 10. or 15. March. By that time, I hope we shall have some good beef to sell. Do the turnips hold out.'' Are there any sound potatos re- maining.'' — Does kelp make its appearance ? How do the sheep look? Do they get some good English hay.'' — But I must not ask too many questions. Yrs. D. Webster. (To Seth Weston.) DrSir; April 22. [1848] Sow your two sorts of oats quite distant from one another. & from all other fields of oats — so as to keep the seed distinct — one is Scotch Oats — ^the other Orchard oats — The weather is now fine — let the work go ahead — employ what hands are necessary — ^remember to mow down the little corner of bushes — in the lower pasture — just this side the Boat House. — left hand — Let Boat House & Bath House be whitewashed — & the Summer house painted — . I shall be with you before June. — The cottage ought to be opened the first day of June, & the work on the House begun, Monday, the 5th — See that all things are ready — ^write for money, if you need it — Do not let the men overload the steers. You have cattle & horses enough — always use strong teams — I send a check for $50. — ^lest you should want it for corn. It seems we stand well for Leicester lambs — full bloods — ^that is good. Keep the best of the heifer calves. — kill, or alter the males, — no half blood bulls — or half blood rams — Yrs D. W. THE FARMER OF MARSHFIELD 681 (To Porter Wright.) Washington Feb. 9. '49. Dear Porter Mr. Thomas has written me about the sheep. You must sell what you can, & get rid of them as well as you can. At any rate, purify the flock. You may sell some of the poorer sort of cows, if buyers offer, at a fair price. I wish all to be done, that can be done, to get forward the Gardner's house. I have supposed, that Charles Peterson could be at work on doors, window frames, planing boards &c, unless he is engaged on the cellar kitchen. Yrs Danl Webster (To Porter Wright.) Boston Friday, noon Nov 9. [1849] Porter. We shall go down Monday, by the morning Train to Cohasset, and shall be there, I suppose, by 11 oclock. We shall want you to send up a double waggon, and my Chaise — Monica may cook for us a dish of beans, and a turkey — • one of the four from the Island. As to cattle, which Daniel Wright could not sell, we must do as well as we can with them. I shall not send them back to Brighton. Some of the best we must feed a little, with salt-hay, turnips, &c — sell to anybody, that will buy. Look out for Kelp. You have teams enough. Yours D. W. (To Porter Wright.) Boston Monday Morn'g. 8 oclock — ^Dec. 49 Porter It is rainy, & has been snowing, and the wind, so far as I can see, is East. I suppose you will not think it a proper day for killing the cattle, & I shall not go down till it clears, & the sun gets out again. If tomorrow morning be fair look for me by the early Kingston train. My notion is ; 682 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER That the poor-house man will take (one) of the Phillips oxen — Then, fill my two small high tubs, with the best pieces of the other Phillips ox, & with some pieces from one of the other oxen. This I want put up in the very best manner, with salt, saltpetre, & sugar. If it turns out (to) be right, three months hence we may be able to sell, at that time, one pair of the fat oxen — Then, there must be some beef, salted, for Mr. Baker's use, & a piece to hang up fresh. The same for Fletcher's people, to use this winter. Of course this need not be of the best pieces. Then put up what you want for the Cottage, & be sure to put up enough, & put it up well. Remember, that for the two last years, our beef has not turned out first rate. You must all do your best this year — Then after the Cottage is supplied, let the rest go to the workmen, or neighbors, giving the workmen the first offer. As to salt. There are sent down SO bushels of Turk's Island Salt, which looks well. And 20 Bushels of Trapney, which is said to be good for beef. Trapney is an Island, I believe within the Straits— The Salt is said to be better than that of St. Uber — And I learn in the market that many people now prefer Turk's Island, for beef as well as pork — But I think it will be well to try the Trapney. You might, if you choose, put a little Turk's Island with it — I have written this, lest you should need directions, before I get down-— But it is most probable that I shall go down to- morrow, if not this Eve'. Send for me, as soon as it is fair Yrs D. W. I shall want to see Mr. Ames very much — (To John Taylor.) ^ ^. Aprii- 8. (1850?)— Dear Sir I should be glad to carry out our whole plan of farming, but if labor is too high, we must cut short. I cannot think of giving 16 or 17 Dollars a month. Crops will not pay for labor at this rate. I am willing to give as much as we have given hereto- fore ; &, on the whole, must leave the matter pretty much to your discretion. THE FARMER OF MARSHFIELD 683 As to potatoes, if you conclude to go on, & make a field, you must look up the seed. You know I told you to get some of Gov. Hill. He calls them York reds. There is nothing quite so good as the Mercers; & perhaps you will be obliged to go to Boston to get them. We have none to spare at Marshfield. I enclose you $80 — in Bank notes. If you need more money before I get home you may sell 50 bushels of corn — Keep all the rest, & all the oats. If you don't find good grass seed at hand, you may send an order to "Joseph Breck Esq, Agricul- tural Warehouse, Boston — " I will write to him to answer all your calls. I send you several parcels of garden seeds. Keep what you want, & give some to the neighbors — You might leave some of the parcels with Mr. Nesmith, or Mr. Ladd, or Mr. Colburn, &c. at the village for general distribution. I do not know how good they are. D. W. (To Porter Wright.) Washinton, Nov. 28. '50. Thanksgiv'g morn'g, 1/2 past 5 O clock. Porter Wright I am glad you have got some kelp, & hope more may come ashore. I suppose it is as well to kill the hogs, or most of them now ; but I have some mind to keep two of the largest till January, & see what they will come to. We have never kept any of this stock till they had fairly got their growth. They might be kept in the Piggery. If you see no objection to this, let it be so. Pork may be worth more in January than it is now. I wish a half barrel of nice pork to be sent to Mrs. Blatchford, some of it in thick pieces, & some in thinner. You will of course fill my tub, & may also save a few butt ends, in case they should be needed. I suppose it will be best to let the hands have what they want; but six Dollars, seems very low, for pork so well fatted on sound corn. If you keep two till January, it will probably be best to send them to Boston. I must leave these things very much to your judgment. — It is time, also, I presume to slaughter the Beef cattle, or dis- pose of them. Be sure to keep beef enough for cottage use. fi84. LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER The Stevens oxen must be fed longer, & until they get quite fat. What will be wanted for my tub & Fletcher's will come out of them. And I think I will have a 1/2 barrell lightly salted, & sent on here. I can write about that, hereafter. — All the things have arrived, and in uncommon good order. We are all well here. Mrs. W. will be here next week. Yrs Danl Webster You have done very well, as to ploughing. But the weather is stiU so mild, that I should not be surprised to hear the ploughs were going again. (From John Taylor.) Sunday Eav. Franklin May the 2d, 1852. — Mr. Webster Dear Sir * * * Last Friday — the last day of April — I drove 50, hed of Cattle up, and Turned them into the Punch Brook Paster. When we let them out of there Several yards, whear thay had Bin shet up for six months, it was a great site to behold, runing &, beUering, I never saw creatures appear to be so happy, they Run nearly all the way up The sand hill, and cept runing til they reached the parster gait— yesterday I drawd up 6, hundred of hay to them, but they would not Eat it. they ware all ful &, bright. I shal not carry them any more hay, unless, we have another cold storm. I am, Sir, Your most obedient servant. John Tayloe, (To David Tomlinson.) Marshfield 11 May 1852. Dr Sir, It is very kind of you to send me a few sprouted chestnuts. I value the gift & thank you for it. I have on my farm most sorts of trees which the climate will bear, but as it happens, I have not one good chestnut tree. Your present, therefore, has come in good time. If any tree should be produced from these nuts, I shall call them the Tomlinson chestnuts. THE FARMER OF MARSHFIELD 685 Owing to an accident which has much affected the use of my hands & arms, for the present, I do not write without much diffi- culty, but I make an effort to sign this letter with my own hand. Your obliged brother farmer & fellow citizen. Danl Webster. (To Porter Wright}) Porter Wright, Washington, June 1, 1852. I received your letter at New York, and was glad to hear, that Mr. Weston was getting better. Tell him not to work too hard ; if he should be laid up we should be half ruined. Remind him of the new sills to the cow-barn. Summer is coming on at a full gallop. You will very soon need a place for your hay. I wish Mr. Weston to employ all the help he needs, and to be in time with every thing. I think more of his head than of his hands. You appear to have got along wonderfully well in planting, and all must now be left to Providence ; you will of course write me weekly, or oftner, and ask further directions if such be needed. Take care not to work too hard yourself. It is quite as much as you ought to do, to superintend others. If the season is good, I wish to do our very best for turnips. Remember the two acres near the Mason gate [grew] great tur- nips with the help of Ezra Wright's manure heap. We all arrived here safe last Saturday evening, being the 29th inst. and found the household all well. I am quite well except my hands and I use them as little as possible. Yours truly Danl Webster June 2, Yrs of 29, rec'd this morning. (To Porter Wright.) Porter Wright. Washington June, 9" 1852. I expect a letter from you to day, but having a word to say I say it this morning, before people are stirring. I expect to be in Marshfield before the month is out, and ' Dictated to G. J. Abbott. 686 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER among other things necessary to be done, one is, to put all the boats in order, Mr. Hatch must go up and bring down the Lap- wing, and the small boats must be repaired and painted, and all that is necessary done, with sails, oars, cables, and anchors. The boat-house must be whitewashed and useless rubbish cleared out of it. The road leading down to it must be a little repaired. Gates put in order &c. — Do not forget to cut up the little cedar bushes, in the lower part of the Baker field. Are you well supplied with Turnip seed. If not you must go to Mr. Breck. Be sure to get the best sorts. For Swedes I suppose Skirving's purple top, such as we have used is the best. Of the White Turnips, I suppose the Pomeranian Globe may be the best, although there are other good sorts of Globe Turnips. You must consult Mr. Breck about this, and perhaps Mr. Morrison can have something useful to say. I hope to see some- thing rather extra on the two acres by the Mason gates — We are all well, & trust you are well at Marshfield. If, before I get home, you see any appearance of the return of hard heads upon the shore, let me know. Yr friend Danl Webstee (From John Taylor.) Mr Webster. Fkanklin Sept 16th. 1852. Dear Sir I arrived Home last Eavning, at 4. O'clock, my wife was fritend to See me come home a Live, she thought I must of bin kild, — She scent Two teligraphs after me, I got home be- fore she had Received an anser from eather, Tenn years ago my Wife Opened one of my Letters Which she received, I was at Brighton at the time. When I got home — I told her That She must not, never Open my Letters in my Absence, in openening the Letter which you wrote me the 13th my Wife thought that I must be — Ded. Last Saturday & Sunday ware Two verry rany days here. I think the Cattle will do Well here til Mr Webster comes Up, the Poltery yarrd will Be finished this week, as well, I am. Sir, Your most obedient Servant, John Tayloe I Bought me a Larrg Box of fish In, Boston, THE FARMER OF MARSHFIELD 687 (To D. Fletcher Webster.J Dear Fletcher, ^'^^"^^ ^^ '^^^^^ I reed your letter, about the Illinois land — quite well written — Those farms are valuable— & I shall not sacrifice them. I hope to get along, without disturbing their condition, at all, at present.- — I hope we shall all live out all our days ! yet. Yrs D. W. (To John Taylor.) (M. Sep. 5.) Dr Sir We had up our 5 yoke of 4 yr old steers, today, & measured them. — The smallest girted 6 ft. 7 inches, the largest 6 ft. 11 inches. The black steer and his mate went 6 ft. 9 inches. If you get in the rye, this week & all necessary things done, you may come down the early part of next week, leaving Henry to take the lead & go ahead with the men. Let me hear from you. D.W. (To John Taylor.) Dr Sir (J^^- 6)- I am glad to learn that you are all well, & doing well. I cannot buy Mr Farewell's oxen. Money is too scarce. Be- sides, it is not good management to exchange young cattle for old. The growth is loss, when that is done — We can get you something to do the work in the spring. I hope to hear from you, regularly. D.W. (To John Taylor. ?) Dear Sir We must have a larder, which you may as well be mak'g, when you cannot get out doors. — It may be an Octogon— ^-about 10 or 12 feet in diameter — & as many high — & then a roof to turn the rain — It should be paved, a little higher than the earth, so that water will drain off. — There must be windows, with Shutters of coarse wire — as well as with glass. — The object will be to admit the air when neces- 688 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER sary — but to be able to shut out the sun, & the flies & mosquitos — Plan a little someth'g, & knock out the stufl' — I shaU see you before March is out. Yrs D. W. Any lambs or calves yet? (To John Taylor.) Dear Mr Taylor, Boston Sep. 30 Tuesday- I have a subsoil plough, to be sent to you, by the cars to Con- cord. — Let it follow the other plough 6 or 8 inches deep — Mr. Calef understood the idea — Push it through all the potatoe ground in the meadow — & next year you will not want for po- tatoes^ — Let this be done exactly & no mistake I got home well. Henry went to Marshfield this forenoon. I follow this afternoon. Your friend D Webstee (To Porter Wright.) Saturday Mor'g. Dear Sir, It will be some days before I can come down to Marshfield. If other business will allow, I want you to try the muscles. I should like to have some spread, pretty thick, on the east side of the fence, proposed to be ploughed, over by the great rocks, & ploughed in — Let the piece run the whole length, from fence, & be as wide as you can get muscles — If this weather holds, I hope you will be able to do someth'g. Yrs D. Webstee (To Porter Wright.) ■poj-^^j.. Boston, Thursday Morning. Mr Bartlett, the double Ploughman, wishes us to try the plough, last sent, on some land already broken up, with a pair of horses. THE FARMER OF MARSHFIELD 689 If the weather is good, and the land in order, I wish you to try this, next Saturday : either on the corn field, near Fletcher's, or on the Potato field. Let the horses be in good condition, and work 8 hours. If it cannot be done on Saturday, it must be put off till Tues- day. The bouts will be rather short, in the field near Fletcher's. If you take a piece in the Potato field, it might be well to clear off the tops. Yours, D. W. (To Porter Wright.) August 27 Porter Wright I wish Mr Ames to buy me 30 yearlings, or two year old steers, or part of each age; and rather prefer some of each. When purchased, I wish him to mark them, with a W — If he wants money he may draw on me, at 5 days sight, and send the Bill to me, wherever I may be. His draft, or Commission, or compensa- tion in any way, will be promptly paid. You know what kind of cattle we want ; not very expensive, or fancy animals, but fair, tolerably large, and growthy steers. I care little about pairs, or matches; but do not want any mean things. I am quite willing you should employ the man, with the ma- chine to thrash grain, if you think best. We shall lose something in the straw, but you have so much work to do, I think the grain may as well be thrashed by the machine. I hope this cool and dry weather will help save the potatos. Yours D. W. mMttv*^ Slntellertual fntet^e^t^. ±. HE ready interest that Webster always mamfested in all manner of intellectual pursuits is shown in his public speeches and published letters. There was nothing narrow in his whole mental make-up. Only two subjects would occur to one trying to think of the deficiencies in Webster's general culture. One looks in vain for any evidence that he cared for music or art. He had the keenest appreciation for the beauty in natural objects, and a love for the pleasing out-of-door sounds, but the themes of art and music never were touched by the pen that ventured upon almost every other phase of human interest. He loved poetry, even dabbled in it himself, in his early days, as we have seen in the "Fragments Concerning His Early Life." We can find plenty of evidence of his love of Shakespeare and of Milton. There have been preserved amang his papers many notes on matters of pure literature. Nevertheless his mind was essentially practical; more likely to expend its energy upon utilitarian things. The letters and papers here presented show his interest in pop- ular education, industrial, technical and mechanical education, and in scientific contributions of the more practical nature. He regarded political economy as "solemn commonplace" in a great part, and thought their rules "fail in their application." In his talk about college life he advances interesting ideas upon the object of education and his theory of attaining it. Probably nothing is so characteristic of the man on his literary side as the letter by Abbott, his amanuensis, which tells of thei vast literary plans of his master. The great mind wandering over the fields of thought found alluring themes on every side. The plans fioated easily in the massive head, but the physical!- energy, the tireless patience, and the sacrifice of the world that would have been necessary to carry out the details were wanting. He loved too well to feel his power over men, and to get the im- mediate returns for efforts made. He could put forth a giant's strength for an hour or a day, but he had not the tough endur- [690] INTELLECTUAL INTERESTS 691 ance of the writer of literary monuments. In his plan of a his- tory we have a proposed work as pretentious as that of Gibbon, but he never would have carried it out, had he been granted the longevity of Methuseleh. True, his collected speeches make an impressive monument, but, if we examine it, we shali find it am aggregation of smaller productions rather than a massvoe unity — a pyramid rather than an obelisk. He always took a great interest in historical literature, an3 seemed especially impressed with the political value of a broach dissemination of our national history, and of monuments to com- memorate great historical events. Little is given here of his interesting descriptions of travel.^ I have, however, listed the letters of the Private Correspondence, which contain these essays. He was an alert traveler and thereby gained much both of knowledge and of culture. (To James W. Page.) Saratoga, Sunday morning [July 10, 1825] Dr Wm. We came here yesterday, from Albany. As at present ar- ranged the rout is pleasant. A coach brought us nine mile — We then entered a canal packet boat — ascended three or four locks, & came along through a country of very good scenery nine or ten miles, where we left the canal, & were brought here in a carriage. We had an opportunity of seeing the junction of the Western & Northern canals, & the passage of the former over the Mohawk river, in what they call an acqueduct. The river here is about 400 yrds wide — stone piers are erected & on them a plank canal is made, large enough for the usual boats &c We saw also the falls called the Cohoes. At Ballston we stopped but a few minutes, our Ladies think that the Saratoga waters would suit their complaints better. This morning they have drank not a little from the Congress Spring — There is said to be more company here than is usual for the season. We shall probably stay till Tuesday — At Utica we expect letters from you. I hope to get a copy of my speech,^ somewhere along. I do not ' The letter to McGaw, October 11, 1828, found among the religious letters, contains some interesting comments. * The First Bunker Hill Address. 692 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER know what is the nearest PostofBce to Niagara Falls, on the American side — Some of the Gentlemen who have been there can tell you. I shall inquire for letters at Lewiston, & at Black rock, unless I hear from you at Canandaigua that you write to some other place. I shall also inquire at the nearest P. Office. Mrs W. has told you, I suppose, all about Catskill Mountains. We professed to wish that you & Mr. Mrs. Blake had been there with us. She says she has today no particular commission to charge you with. I pray you remember me to Mr. & Mrs. Blake. I trust the lady has recovered her voice, & wish they were setting out with us for Niagara. Love to the children Yrs D. W. (To Jared Sparks.^) February 4, 1826. * * * It wiU give me true pleasure to aid you in your in- tended collection of General Washington's works, in any and all ways in my power. Judge Story has not yet arrived, but we expect him this eve. I will have an early conversation with him on the subject. I think your proposed work one of great impor- tance, and which you could so execute as to do yourself great credit. * * • Daniel Webster. (To Mr. Hope.^) My Dear Sir Boston Jan. 12. '49 The bearer of this, Revd. John Miller, of New Jersey, is a Gentleman of character, & science, who proposes to spend some months, in Edenburgh, in the prosecution of his studies. He is interested in the Department, which is distinguished by Sir Wm Hamilton's labors; and is desirous, also, of witnessing the order & arrangement of the Scotch Universities. — The shortest line from you to Sir Wm, or to some Gentleman in the University, will be a great favor to him, & will quite oblige me. ' Taken from Sparks' "Life and Writings," vol. i, p. 402. Daniel Webster was then a member of the House of Representatives for Massachusetts. " Addressed to Hon. Mr. Hope, Lord of Sessions. This letter is owned by Mr. Charles Roberts, of Philadelphia. INTELLECTUAL INTERESTS Fondly cherishing the recollection of a former short acquaint- ance, & with sentiments of the most sincere regard, I am. Dear Sir, Yours cordially Danl Webstee (To Samuel N. Sweet}) Dear Sir Washington, December 31st, 18419. I have had very frequent occasions to answer the same inquiry as that which you propose to me in your letter of the 26th of this month.^ The speech to which you refer is my composition. The Congress of the Revolution sat with closed doors, and there is no report of the speeches of members on adopting the Declara- tion of Independence. We only know that John Adams spoke in favor of the measure with his usual power and fervor. In a let- ter, written from Philadelphia soon after the Declaration was made he said it was an event which would be celebrated in time to come by bonfires, illuminations, and other modes of public re- joicing. And on the day of his death, hearing the ringing of bells, he asked the occasion, and being told that it was the 4!th of July, and that the bells were ringing for Independence, he exclaimed, "Independence forever!" These expressions were used, in composing the speech, as being characteristic of the man, his sentiments, and his manner of speech and elocution. All the rest is mine. With respect, your obedient servant, Danl. Webster. (To Rev. A. Potter.^) My Dear Sir Wednesday Morning I send you Mr Turner's book. There is much in it, which a mere general scholar will be disposed to pass over hastily; but the latter part of the first, & the whole of the second volume, I think interesting. So is the account of the population of Europe, in the com- ' This letter is printed in Lanman's " Life of Webster," p. 154-. ' Asking if John Adams really made the speech which Webster put in his mouth in the oration on Adams and Jefferson. ' Addressed to Rev. A. Potter, Chestnut Street (probably Philadelphia). This letter belongs to Mr. Charles Roberts, of Philadelphia. 694 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER mencement of the work. This seems to me the best thing I have seen, on that difficult subject — ^the dispersion of mankind over the earth — Yrs very truly D. Webstee (To Dr. Warren} ?) I am about to state to you a fact, for the cause of which you may inquire of the learned. Three or four hours yesterday, I stood on my feet, shaking hands incessently with visitors, and of course, always shaking with the right hand, my left hand having nothing to do, all the while, but hang down quietly. At the close of this labor, my right arm and hand, felt no fatigue or pain, but severe pain affected my left arm, from the shoulder to the ends of the fingers. I do not quite understand this. I am aware that nerves go off in pairs, from the spine to the limbs, and that such is the sympathy of the system, that what affects one pair, is apt to affect the corresponding pair on the other side. But how the right arm & hand, which went through the heat of the en- gagement, should suffer little or nothing, while the left arm & hand, which were non comb'ants should suffer so much, a good deal puzzles me. I have experienced the same thing frequently before, but on those occasions, have supposed the cause to be the holding of ray hat in my left hand for a long time, for such hold- ing, you know, will fatigue the arm. But yesterday my left arm and hand, had no such hat to hold. They seem to think that their fellows on the other side, were worse off than they really were, & this apprehension, seems to have produced great uneasi- ness, & sympathetic pain. (Memora/ndum.^ ) This is a coin of Wm & Mary — Sometimes, or on some coins, both both faces were on one side, cheek by Jole — Hence Green, in his poem on Spleen, says — "of Kitty, aunt left in the lurch. On grave pretence to go to churcK, Espied in hack, with lover fine. Like Will. <§• Mary on the coin." ' This is a dictated unfinished letter of Daniel Webster, ' In Daniel Webster's hand. INTELLECTUAL INTERESTS 695 (From Timothy Pickering} ) Boston, July 19, 1826. Dear Sir, Yesterday I received from my son Octavius a letter informing me that you wished to see the original letter from Mr. John Adams,^ referred to in my prefatory remarks to reading the Declaration of Independence, three years ago, and the remarks also : both are inclosed. And for the more precise understanding of Mr. Adams' letter, I also inclose the copy of mine, to which it is an answer, and of my reply, making my acknowledgments for that answer. Of all these papers I pray you to take par- ticular care, and to return them to me by my son, or other safe hand, when you shall have done with them. All unpleasant feelings towards Mr. Adams, had ceased long before the occurrence of the above mentioned correspondence. A subsequent event obliged me, in my own vindication, to expose publicly his faults. Still I view, as I have always viewed him, as a man of eminent talents, zealously, courageously & faithfully exerted in effecting the Independence of the Thirteen United Col- onies : and I believe that he, more than any other individual, roused and prepared the minds of his fellow citizens to decide positively and timely that greatest revolutionary question. Very respectfully, I am, dear Sir, Your obedt. Servt, T. Pickering. (To Jared Sparks.*) October. 12, 1826 * * * "I have read Mr. Cardozo's book, and looked into McCuUoch ; but the field spread out so wide before me that I gave up the idea of entering upon it with any view of writing. A great part of Mr. Cardozo's notes are taken up in commenting on Smith and Ricardo. The very statement of the questions in ' The services of T. Pickering as a patriot in the Revolution are well known. He was Adjutant-General, a member of the Continental Board of War, and finally Quartermaster-General during the Revolution. He was Postmaster- General and Secretary of War under Washington and finally Secretary of State. Later he was Senator from Massachusetts. ' About this time Webster was preparing for his Adams and Jefferson oration, delivered August 2, 1826. » Taken from Sparks' "Life and Writings," vol. i, p. 272. 696 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER difference between him and them, so as to be intelligible to gen- eral readers, would occupy the space of a short article. I must confess, morover, that there is a great deal of solemn common- place, and a great deal also of a kind of metaphysics, in all or most of the writers on these subjects.'' There is no science that needs more to be cleared from mists than that of political econ- omy. Lf we turn our eyes from books to things, from specula- tion to fact, we often, I think, perceive that the definitions and the rules of these writers fail in their application. If I live long enough, I intend to print my own thoughts (not, however, in any more bulky form than a speech, or an article in the 'North Ameri- can') on one or two of the topics discussed by Mr. Cardozo. But when that leisure day, necessary even to so small an affort, may come, is more than I can say. * * * D. Webster. (To Albert Picket et al.^) r^ .1 Washington Jany. 3d. 1835 Gentlemen, ■' I have received your letter of the 13th of December. Entertaining the deepest conviction of the utility and necessity of popular Education, and feeling the most sincere and grateful respect for those, who, in the capacity of teachers, devote their labors and lives to that great object, it would give me true pleas- ure to comply with your request, if existing duties and engage- ments would allow. But I cannot flatter myself with the hope of being able to visit the West, in the Autumn of this year. If I should again have the gratification of being in Ohio, which I very much desire, it must be in the spring, in conse- quence of the nature of my private and professional engage- ments at home. I proffer to you Gentlemen, my most cordial good wishes ; my most zealous cooperation and service, in whatever I may be use- ful to your association ; and pray you to believe that it is with no common degree of regret, that I find myself obliged to decline the honor which you have tendered to me.' With much personal regard [D. Webster] ' See "Private Correspondence of Daniel Webster," vol. i, p. 500. " Committee of a Teachers' Association of Cincinnati, Ohio. ' This letter is from a draft in Daniel Webster's hand. INTELLECTUAL INTERESTS 697 (To Daniel P. Kirng} ) Boston May 30 1835. My Dear Sir, I received a good while ago your address at the Celebration of the Lexington Battle in Danvers which you were so good as to send me, together with the very kind letter which accompanied it, and I must not omit, even at this late hour, to express my thanks for the great pleasure I have received from its perusal. The scenes described in your Address are always full of inter- est to the mind of an American, but they receive an additional charm, when presented to our view along with so many most ex- citing reminiscences of former times, as you have given us. One feels transported back to the period when these occurrences were not History but present realities. It is well that the events and characters of the Revolution should often be brought to the minds of this generation. It will help to keep alive those sacred principles, which, as you truly remark, lay at the foundation of the Revolutionary struggle. But, My Dear Sir, your Address needs no aid from the nature of the subject to give it interest. Its own merits, apart from anything extrinsic, will sufficiently commend it to the favorable attention of the reader. For one, I can assure you I have received very great satisfaction from its pages. I cannot express a stronger wish than that it may con- duce as much to make its author favorably known to the public, as I am sure it will, to the pleasure of others. Allow me. Sir, to express my grateful sense of the compliment you have been so partial as to pay me in the selection of your son's name, and to proffer my best wishes for the health and happiness of my namesake. May he be an honor to himself, to his parents and his country.'^ I, am. My Dear Sir, Most Truly. — [Daniel Webster] ' Who had sent him an address, printed at Salem, 1835, commemorative of seven young men of Danvers, who were slain in the Battle of Lexington. He complimented Webster and said he had named his son after "the statesman whose motto is ' Our country, our whole country and nothing but our country.' " ' This is taken from Daniel Webster's draft of the letter sent. 698 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER (To J. Q. 'Adams}) Boston, Oct. 31st, 1836 Sir: All the manuscript dissertations received from your hands, on the subject of the Congress of Nations, for the amicable settle- ment of National differences, and the abolition of War, are here- with returned. My engagements have allowed me not as much time for examining them as I would have desired. The atten- tion which I have been able to give to the subject, has however convinced me, that the writers generally, have not come up to the probable expectation, of the donors of the prize, the magnitude of which, might reasonably have been expected to bring into the field, a strong array of competitors. In many of their produc- tions, there is more of declamation than of argument, and in very few, if in any of them, is that profound and philosophical investigation of the subject which it was undoubtedly the object of the prize donors, to encourage and furnish. There is moreover, in too many instances, an obvious want of chasteness and good taste, and even of grammatical accuracy, in the composition. In making these general criticisms, let me not be understood as applying them indiscriminately, and with equal rigor, to each of the Essays, nor of suggesting that I find noth- ing in them to approve. While I note their faults I acknowledge that they have their merits also. The writer of the Essay marked "I", has in my judgment rather distanced his rivals, and to him, so far as it depends upon me, I should be willing to award the prize. Your obedient servant, Dan'l Webstek. (To James J. Mapes?) Washington, February 20, 1840. Sir, I have had an opportunity of looking over the first number of the American Repertory, published by you, and highly approve of its general object. It is a time when great good may be done to the arts, to the ' This letter is owned by Charles Francis Adams. ^ Printed in the " American Repertory," vol. i, p. 175. INTELLECTUAL INTERESTS 699 cause of industry, and to the prosperity of labor, by a wide dif- fusion and extension of the more important and practical branches of knowledge. I happen to have an account of "Oram's Compressed Fuel", for Steam Engines, which I do not remember to have seen pub- lished in the United States. I send it to you for publication in your periodical, if you think proper. With respect, your obedient servant, DANIEL WEBSTER. (Remarks on Education} ) [1845] He alluded first to the universal interest felt in all ages in the subject of education. He glanced at its importance to every individual as involving that culture both of intellect and the heart, and essentially connected with his present and eternal hap- piness.^ And the youth of this age and country, he said, should be sensible of the peculiarly propitious circumstances in which they are placed, and appreciate the privileges by which they are dis- tinguished from those of every past generation, and every other land. To see the truth and force of this, we need only cast our eye up and down this beautiful Valley of the Connecticut, adorned not more by its natural scenery and fertile soil, than by the numerous, and flourishing seminaries of learning scattered over its bosom. The spot where he stood, seemed peculiarly favored; presenting on the one hand, an Academy, annually furnishing the colleges from twenty five to fifty young men, to be liberally educated; on the other a high school delightfully located and in efficient and prosperous operation; and here a College, young indeed, but a most honourable monument to the patriotism & piety which laid its foundations. The very in- fancy of the Institution he would remark, had its peculiar ad- vantages, and the circumstances, which to many young men, might seem disadvantages, were far less so than is often sup- ' A newspaper report of an address by Webster. ' This printed report of a speech was found among the newspaper clippings which Webster had evidently collected, for many of them bear his hand- writing. This is indorsed by him simply "Amherst — Andover." On September 8, 1836, Webster delivered an address at Harvard's bicentennial celebration, of which we have only a meager report. See " History pf Harvard University," by Josiah Quincy, vol. ii, p. 685. 700 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER posed. Costly apparatus, and splendid Cabinets, have no magi- cal power to make Scholars. In all circumstances as a man is under God, the master of his own fortune, so he is the maker of his own human intellect, that it can grow only by its own action, and by its own action it will most certainly and necessarily grow. Every man therefore must in an important sense educate him- self. His book and teacher are but helps; the work is his. A man is not educated until he has the ability to summon, in any emergency, all his mental powers to vigorous exercise and con- troul them in that exercise till he effect his purposed object. It is not the man who has seen most, or read most, or heard most, who can do this ; such an one is in danger of being borne down like a beast of burden by an overloaded mass of other men's thoughts. Nor is the man who can boast merely of native vigor and capacity; the greatest of all the warriors that went to the siege of Troy had not the preeminence because nature had given him strength and he carried the largest bow, but because self-discipline had taught him how to bend it. He said it was his opinion that among the improved modes of teaching, which characterize the present state of the science and the art, those would be found most useful that should have the greatest tendency to bring the mind of the student near to the mind of the teacher. Mind is excited by close intercourse, by contact as it were, with mind. The attention of both parties must be drawn by a constant attraction to some common point. Let the powers of the student be examined, tried, exercised, strength- ened, guided by this kind of intercourse. Let it extend to every study, and be applied to every little thing in the whole course of instruction, and be felt daily and hourly. Of such communion of mind with mind, of such action of mind upon mind, the effects wiU be at once displayed. It is like what is often seen around the beautiful mountain which adorns this horizon, when, drawn mu- tually together, cloud approaches cloud ; then, and then only, is there a transmission and reception and interchange of the electric fluid. He closed his remarks (to which this abstract by no means does justice) by painting the anguish of heart which, in the just retribution of heaven, must torture the man who, when his coun- try and his religion call for his services, too late finds that he has abased the privileges resulting from a free government and from Christianity, and has wasted the short but precious portion of his immortal existence which was allotted for his self-education. INTELLECTUAL INTERESTS 701 (To Edward Curtis.?) Raleigh. North Carolina. May 1, 1847 (?) — buildings,^ & there are sundry handsome residences, belongi'g to Judges, Lawyers, Physicians, &c, & to some rich planters, who live here, but whose estates are elsewhere. On the whole, it is a pleasant, green look'g, respectable little City. But it was a mistake to br'g the Govt. here. It should have been fixed at Fayetteville, on Cape Fear River, quite a favored spot for com- merce, & now the great town for distribution of traffic, inland. Here, is no navigation, & no facilities for manufacturers. The abstract idea of a local centre brought the Govt, [here.] ? Like many other abstract ideas, its application to practical life & business has not been found satisfactory. We arrived here on Saturday, at 12 O'clock ; found the Govr's. coach at the cars, & were reed by him & his wife, at the Govt, house, with great kind- ness. We are of course well lodged. Gov. Graham, late Sena- tor in Congress, is a highly respectable person, of an old North Carolina Family, & a true & sound Whig. Here lives Mr Badger, now about in the Circuits, Mr. Haywood, late Senator in Con- gress, Mr. Iredell, formerly also a Senator, & many other re- spectable families. The Govr. makes a dinner on Monday, Mrs. Haywood gives a party the same Eve'g, & Tuesday mor'g we depart, for Charleston by way of Wilmington.^ [D. W.] (Correction of a Translation.^ ) June 12. 1851 Lawfully — "legitemately," as used here, is not English, It ' This fragment is in Daniel Webster's hand and written on part of a sheet containing a letter of Mrs. Webster to Mr. Curtis. ' The letters that especially show Webster's keen Interest in travel are: Daniel Webster to Mrs. Paige, Charleston, May 9, 1847; Daniel Webster to Seth Weston, Charleston, May 10, JS+7: Daniel Webster to Mrs. Paige, Columbia, S. C, May 13. 1847; Daniel Webster to Mrs. Paige, Columbia, S. C, May 15, 1847; Daniel Webster to R. M. Blatchford. Marshfield, December 7, 1847; Daniel Webster to Mrs. Paige. April, 1849; Daniel Webster to Mrs. Paige, April 23, 1849; Daniel Webster to R. M. Blatchford, August 8, ; Daniel Webster to R. M. Blatchford. August 10. : Daniel Webster to Fletcher Webster, Capon Springs, June 27, 1851. All of the above letters are to be found m " Private Correspondence." vol. ii, pp. 244, 246, 249, 252, 315, 318, 332, 335, 446. ' This was written by Daniel Webster at the end of a translation made for bim at the State Department. It is but a fragment, but too good to lose. 702 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER is ambitious Americanism. "Legitimate" means of lawful origin We are most sure of writing good English, when we use the plainest words. — (To Mrs. Harriette Story Paige.) Boston May 2d 1848 My Dear Sister This Book is said to be the best existing Index to Shakespeare ; It is by a Lady,^ & I ask leave, most affectionately, to present this Copy, to another Lady, who knows Shakespeare, who can appreciate all facilities of reference, to his immortal passages, & who, I hope, will not be displeased, to receive this from me. — Daul Webstee (G. J. Abbott to Edward Everett.) Washington, April 12, [1854] Dear Sir, You may perhaps remember that I informed you, a short time after Mr. Webster's death, in reply to your inquiry as to the progress which Mr. Webster had made in the "History of Wash- ington's Administration,"- — that only the general plan of the work had been sketched. This was prepared under the follow- ing circumstances. During the last year of Mr. Webster's life he not unfrequently spoke of the manner in which he proposed to employ his time after his retirement from office and public life. The first time he mentioned this subject to me was at Marsh- field in October 1851. He had just written the dedications of the several volumes of his works, & read such parts of the Memoir as you had then submitted to him. It appeared to strike him more forcibly than ever before how long his life had been pro- tracted ; for, he remarked, he found that he had been personally engaged in the discussion of almost every great question which had, at any time, occupied public attention during the last half century, while his memory reached back to the period of the adoption of the Constitution itself. He told me that his work on the Constitution had long occu- pied his mind and was so well matured that he could dictate it as ' Mary Cowden Clarke. INTELLECTUAL INTERESTS 703 fast as I could take it down, and he even thought that he could prepare a volume in a month. He proposed that I should leave Washington with him, go down to Marshfield & render such af- sistance, as his amanuensis, in the preparation of this latter work, as I was able. We were interrupted in the conversation, and it was not again resumed at Marshfield. You are well acquainted with the reasons growing out of the state of public affairs which induced him to defer his resignation. After his return to Washington he would occasionally revert to the subject, thus showing his interest in it, & that he still looked forward to its accomplishment as the crowning effort of his life. Especially was this the case during the time he was engaged in the preparation of his Historical Discourse. At this time, also, he was making those arrangements in regard to his cemetery, of which he speaks in one of his letters to Mr. Fillmore. There was evidently a strong impression upon his mind, perhaps I might say presentiment, that the remaining in- tellectual labor which he designed to accomplish must speedily be commenced and finished. The severity of his autumnal catarrh in 1851, & the serious tone in which he would sometimes speak of its recurrence in 1852, showed that it gave him much anxiety. He remarked one day, when we were alone, that he should com- plete his seventieth year in the following January, & that he had been for some time thinking of resigning his seat in the cabinet, & he proposed to do it when he should reach that age : something he added respecting the seeming impropriety of holding a subor- dinate position after reaching that period of life, and of receiv- ing instructions from a younger man. He said he should not again enter into active practice at the bar, as he more & more dis- liked the contests, often exciting and wrangling, in which he must sometimes engage with young men. He spoke of the more con- genial pursuits with which he intended to occupy himself, — ^his little book — ^which he designed as a relaxation from his more serious studies — on the birds & fishes of Marshfield; of this he repeated to me a chapter on the cod-fish, — an imaginary con- versation between Seth Peterson and an intelligent boy. As you may readily conceive with Mr. Webster's interest in the subject, his acquaintance with it, his great fund of anecdotes, & the great simplicity & clearness with which it would have been treated, the work would have been one of the most popular & fascinating books of the day. 704 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER He subsequently referred to his proposed work on the evidences of Christianity. This was a favorite idea with him, & he often spoke of it in Washington, & when he left there in 1852, he directed me to bring the copies of Cicero de Natura, which he proposed to translate & illustrate with notes. And when near the termination of his life, finding that even this could not be accompHshed in the very presence of death, he condensed into an epitaph the expression of his belief in Christianity in the place of an irresistible argument which he hoped to have made. lA. sheet of Mr. Abbott's letter has been lost.'] in which he was greatly interested. In the summer of 1852 I collected, at his suggestion, and sent to Marshfield, such public documents and books as would be useful for consultation & refer- ence in the preparation of the Work. While in the cars on our return from Trenton, where he had argued the great India rubber case, I called his attention to some proposed alterations & corrections of the proof sheets of the His- torical Discourse which had been sent to him for his inspection. I noticed, afterwards, as he sat alone in his seat, that his mind was occupied, & I forebore to interrupt him. He soon called me to his side, and, — in that earnest & impressive manner, which he so frequently assumed in the last months of his life, and which made us feel that whatever he said, it was intended we should re- member,— stated at considerable length the outlines of his pro- posed Work on the Constitution. Some days, subsequently, in the little office in his house, [at Washington] he dictated the heads of this conversation, or rather the general plan of the Work as it then lay in his mind. He directed me carefully to place this memorandum among his private papers in my case. He did not again revert to this paper. After Mr. Webster's death, on my return to Washington, I looked for this paper but was unable to find it. Frequent & careful searches were made both in the Department and among my own papers. I felt quite certain that I had taken it to Marshfield in Sep- tember 1852, though I was confident it had not been called for by Mr Webster. At last, I became satisfied that it had been left at Marshfield, & would be found among Mr. Webster's papers, or that, by some mischance, it had been destroyed: This I feared as the original was taken down so rapidly that it is almost illegible, & might easily have been mistaken for useless memo- INTELLECTUAL INTERESTS 705 randa. Fortunately, I found last night, in a very safe place, the long missing paper, which I hasten to transcribe & place in your hands. With great regard Very truly Yours, G. J. Abbott. (History of Washington's Administration.) Mr. Webster thinks of writing a History of the Constitution and of the Administration of the First President, — the Work to be comprised in about fifty chapters of fifty pages each, to com- mence with the First Congress, As showing the sense of the country upon the importance of a United Government. Not to relate the military events of the War of the Revolution, but to record the proceedings which led to the adoption of the Articles of the Confederation. To state things as they existed at the peace of 1783. Their insufficiency to answer the purposes which a Union of the States was designed to accomplish. The growing necessity in the minds of men, of a Government, which, instead of acting through the authority of the States, should act directly on individuals. The state of the country at the conclusion of peace. A geographical description of the settled parts of it. The population of the respective states. Their Agriculture, Commerce and Manufactures. A good Map. The continental debt then existing. The debts of the several States. The inability of Congress and the States to pay their debts. Proceedings of Legislative and other public bodies in the States, showing the unsatisfactory state of things, and the necessity of a new form of Government. The proceedings which led to the meeting of delegates at Annapolis. The proceedings of the Congress of the Confederation, and especially the Reports of the Committees. Mr. Hamilton, Madison and others. The meeting of the Convention in Philadelphia in May 1787. Full Biographical notices of its members. 706 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER Its proceedings and discussions. The Constitution as the result of the deliberations af this Con- vention. Its publication and the proceedings of Congress thereupon, Its discussions before the people The Federalist. The debates in the several State Conventions. The general principles of the Constitution as a popular repre- sentative Government. Montesquieu. The difficulty of framing a provision for an Executive head. The happy contrivance for the Constitution of the Senate. The Constitution. Its compactness, its brevity, and its comprehensiveness. Its felicity in declaring what powers Congress should possess, and what powers the several States should cease to exercise. An examination of the powers of Congress, with the reason for each, and so of the Judiciary power and the Executive power. The great idea that such a Government must have an ultimate construction and power of decision respecting the extent of its own authority. The necessity that a legislative power should be accompanied with a commensurate Judicial and Executive authority. The influence of commercial necessity as producing a dispo- sition to adopt this constitution. The Public Lands, The National Debt, and the certainty that it could not be paid under the existing provisions. The interest with which the World looked upon this great ex- periment of Republican liberty. Dr. Paley, The adoption of the Constitution by nine States, The election of the first President, The difliculty of assembling the first Congress. The Inauguration of Genl. Washington at New York, The early Laws, The organization of his Cabinet, Acts of Congress authorizing the appointment of Executive officers, or Heads of Administration, A general view of the country at that time, in regard to its domestic situation, its industry, trade, &c. and in regard to its foreign policy. INTELLECTUAL INTERESTS 707 General Wasliington's first Inaugural speech. These topics to form the first volurm. (Volume Second.) Gen. Washington's domestic policy. The payment of the public debt. The establishment of a Commercial system. The Revenue system. The Currency, The Bank, The Mint, The Naturalization laws, The policy of the Government in regard to the industrial Arts. The sale of public lands. Copy right, and Patent Inventions, The Census. The Judiciary, (a most important chapter). The men who formed the act, Richard Henry Lee. Simeon Strong &c. The character of the men who composed the first Administra- tion, and the leading members of Congress, of whom, biographical notices shall not have been made under a previous head. The establishment of a seat of Government in the District of Columbia, and the laying out of the City of Washington. Rebellions in Pennsylvania, and other domestic occurrences. Rapidly growing prosperity of the country under this new Government. Popularity of the Administration at home, and the rapidly growing respect for the country abroad. The beginning of settlements in the North West Territory &c, &c, (Volume Third.) General Washington's second election. The French Revolution, Our connection with France, and the commencement of this revolution to be stated and discussed at large, Washington's proclamation of neutrality. Policy of this measure, and its Justice towards France, under the Treaty of alliance of 1778 to be fully considered. 708 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER The general principles of Washington's Administration in re- gard to our foreign relations, Neutrahty. Non Intercourse. The equality of Nations, The exactness with which Washington demanded all proper respect from other Nations. His Justice united with high bearing. The British Treaty of 1794, The mobs in Philadelphia and Boston, Washingtons dignified conduct, and rebuke of the disturbers. His letter to Boston. The virtuous Ten Mr Jay, Lord Grenville, The unconsciousness at that time of the probable growth of American Commerce, and especially of the production of Cotton in the United States. The consequence of this production, and its influence upon Slavery in the United States, The difficulties with France, The state of the country at the close of Washington's Admin- istration in March 1797. Its resources. Commerce and manufactures. The rise of the Federal and Republican parties, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, The close of Washingtons Administration, and his farewell ad- dress, A comparison of the Character of Washington with those of the most distinguished public men of Ancient and Modem times. For comments ofWebster on oratory and rhetoric see Webster's "Private Correspondence," vol. 1, p. 463, and vol. ii, p. 111. mth&ttv, ti^t ^pott^man Webster would have teen a warm personal friend of Izaak Walton or of Nimrod, if either had been so fortunate as to be his contemporary. His fame went far and wide, and gun clubs and angling clubs all over the land made him, an honorary member. The attention evidently pleased him, for he kept their certificatea and letters; some of them many years. Many times in his letters we hear of his "John Trout" rod, and, as he playfully threatened, "the halibut and bluefish might tremble," when he went forth with his "Old Kill-all." Some one had made him a gift of two silver-mounted rods and reels, a book of flies and hooks, and he promptly gave the outfit that distin- guishing title. Armed with this and rowed by "Commodore" Hatch and Peterson, he fairly warned the perch and pickerel to "look out for themselves." He not only caught, but he studied fish and knew their history, as we may see in the letter to Mr. Clark. He even enjoyed "the subordinate pleasure of listening to the recital of the capture of fish and the battles with the mos- quitoes." He was quite as enthusiastic Teith the gun as with the rod. His farms were regular preserves; he didn't "want a man with a gun around his place." He was insatiable. Ticknor writes of his being out thirteen hours with no regular meals, and never tired nor hungry while there was a bird to be seen. If he was in Boston, he suddenly had business at Marshfield, if there was "a flight of coots." Mrs. Webster gives us a pleasant picture of the man whose imposing dignity had so often won the "ap- plause of listening senates." He comes in from the day's hunt with forty-six birds, "beetle-heads, red-breasts and humilities." He had "burned all his powder, fired all his shot, broke his ram- rod — got no dinner," and walked for hours in the tide-covered marshes. He says that if he "had only known where they were he might have gone to them in a chaise." This last phase completes the picture of Webster in his every- day life as we can get it from his correspondence. If he was, [ T09 ] 710 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER as his greatest enemy, Theodore Parker, conceded, "the greatest ■figure that has appeared upon this earth simce the time of Charle- magne," it was due in part to the fact that he was an out-of- doors man. He took from the vital air and the genial swn, a^ much as from his books, the wndyvng eloquence that still moves us from the silent pages, though the voice of the living speaker is no more. (To Porter Wright.) Porter Wright ^^^^^ l^- I thought it was Asa Delano, the Carpenter, not Nathl, who wante the Girard College case i* most prominent in elucidating his religious views. Among' the few papers on this subject, we have mentioned a confession of, faith written at the age of 25, and given a short address made at a Sunday school meeting some twenty-four years later. In the McGaw letter there is a brief sentiment upon natural religion — his "conviction of the existence and perfection of the Deity." There is in the letter to Rev. Goddard a conventional state- ment of his belief in immortality. The inscription for his tomb which he personally dictated, gives further testimony of this belief. The inscription may be fownd in the closing pages of', Curtis' "Life of Webster." In the Private Correspondence (Vol. i, p. 4^53), the letter to Mr. Haddock throws additional Ught upon his religious views. That he wished his name identified with religious activities is testified by various certificates and papers among his literary re- mains. His certificate of life membership in the American Bible Society, and his appointment as an honorary member of the' American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, are among the Greenough papers. Of his charity and philanthropy there is abundance of evv- dence amxmg his letters. There is in this collection a letter showing his indignation at misplaced charity, and another show- ing his compassion and willingness to aid an unfortunate who had been guilty of a crime. There are preserved here very definite statements of his reverence for the Sabbath and his thorough approval of the cause of temperance. As concerns his own moral habits, we have the entry in James Kent's diary, and the somewhat conflicting testimony of Web- [735] 736 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER ster's physician. I wish to add here that, after reading the tes- timony of many men who knew him, and after reading through many years of his correspondence, the urmnportant letters of which are not published, I am convinced that, though Webster drank wine at his table, as did most men of his social standing at that time, and though he used liquors for medici/nal purposes, I do not believe, as is often reported, that he ever appeared before a public assembly in an intoxicated condition, or, indeed, that he ever on account of liquor lost perfect control of his mental facul- ties. James Kent's testimony that Webster lived too well, must be accepted in the sense that he was a lover of rich and highly seasoned foods, and of good wines in moderation. In the letter to Anderson, he has expressed his sentiments upon the temper- perance movement, and I think no one will accuse Webster of hypocrisy, whatever other charge has been made against him. That he suffered in his later years because of early ignorance of some of the laws of health, we cannot doubt. But, it was th^ result of ignorance and carelessness and not willful immorality. Webster had inherited too much of the Puritan for that. Many dark hints have been made, in conversation, concerning Webster's relations with woinen, and one reputable historian, Mr. Rhodes, has suggested in his characterization of Webster that "he was not scrupulous in observing the Seventh command- ment." That his personality was most attractive to women there is every testimony, but there is absolutely nothing but idle gos- sip, that I can find, which substantiates the charge that he took advantage of this power to charm. His friends rejected with horror the insinuation of such an immorality, and his enemies' gladly accepted the "trifles light as air" which gave such calumny its slightest weight. The truth seems to be that Webster suf- fered the penalty which invidious cynicism always visits y,pon the man whose nobility of person and grace of manner give him favor in the eyes of womankind. (To Jacob McGaw.^ ) My Dear Friend, Boston Oct. 11. '28 I thank you for your letter of Sep. 25, detailing the incidents ' This letter was published in the New York Sun of January 16. 1894.. The editor takes it from a clipping in the possession of Mr. C. E. Bliss, of Bangor, Me. RELIGIOUS AND MORAL CHARACTER 737 of your tour. It has enabled me to go, pretty accurately, over your track. I have followed you, by the means of it, repeatedly from Boston round by the West, & home to Bangor. I well understand how you should feel excited by visiting such places as Kingsbridge, White Plains, Benn. Heights etc. I never knew a man yet, nor a woman neither, with a sound head & a good heart, that was not more or less under the power, which these local associations exercise. It is true, that place, in these things, is originally accidental. Battles might have been fought elsewhere, as well as at Saratoga, or Bennington. Nevertheless here they were fought; & nature does not allow us to pass over the scenes of such events with in- difference, unless we have a good share of bluntness & stupidity, or unless the scenes themselves have become familiar by frequent visits to them. For my part I love them all, and all such as they. An old drum hangs up in the Senate Chamber of Mass. taken from the Hessians at Bennington, & I do not think I ever went into the room without turning to look at it. And that reminds me to say, that I have a pair of silver sleeve buttons, the material of which my father picked up on, & brought away from, that same field of Bennington. If I thought either of my boys would not value them, fifty years hence, if he should live so long, I be- lieve I should begin to flog him, now. — The day we parted here was, in truth, very hot. I reached Falmouth, at evening, very much exhausted by heat & fatigue. The next morning we embarked for Nantucket, &r had a good passage. There I staid a week, exceedingly busy, all the time, & hurrying thro' business, in order to shorten our stay. Work & heat, (a good deal too much of it both) made me sick ; & after I returned from the Island, it was a month before I felt quite well. Cooler weather & repose have, at length, accomplished my restoration. My health is now good, & I shall have occasion for all of it, for the next month or two, during which professional engagements are usually most pressing. Julia and Edward are still at Boscawen. At the end of this month they will come home, and both their little cousins with them. Mrs. E. Webster is to come down, & to keep all the chil- dren here, for a month or two, while her husband is engaged with the Courts, & the legislature — My present purpose is not to be in great haste to depart for Washington, unless some urgent public duty should require it. In the present condition of my household, it is a great object to shorten my absence as far as I 738 LETTERS OE DANIEL WEBSTER well can. I rejoice that you found your little daughter, & your other connexions well; & that the journey proved so favorable to Mrs. McGaw's health. Nothing is better, I think, than a tour of that sort, once in a whUe, to places not before visited, & to the midst of society a little different from that in our own circle. It is not only gratifying, at the moment, but furnishes many things to think about, & talk over, for a long time. The mind requires occasionally a supply of new ideas, or else it is likely to get out of stock. New books (or books never read before) will sometimes enable the inner man to gratify himself with a change of ideas, which are his diet), & a visit to new scenes & new circles, often does the same thing more effectually. For my part, I journey a good deal, but it is all on the beaten track from Boston to Washington. Once we made an exception, & went, as you know, to Niagara — It was a high gratification. I advise you to keep your eye on such a tour, at some time, here- after. Why is it not a sort of duty, before we leave this world "thus wondrous fair", to see all the wonders, which it is fairly in our power to see, &, by beholding them to derive a new excitement to our veneration & adoration of the Deity.? I confess that natural Religion — ^that conviction of the exist- ence & perfection of the Deity, which the contemplation of nat- ural objects produces, — grows daily more & more impressive on my mind. But I must stop — or I shall write a sermon — ^Adieu — I have not written so tediously long a letter, in a twelve month. Give every good wish of my heart to your wife — and, as we Yorkers say, "the same to yourself" — * Yrs always truly Danl. Webstee. (From Ralph Randolph Gurley?) My Dear Sir Washington May 15th 1830 Having knowledge of your disposition to relieve the unfor- tunate, may I solicit your charitable attention to the Bearer a very respectable man of colour, who is seeking some aid to redeem ' The editor not wishing to divide this letter, has chosen to place it here, although some of the matters treated would place it in another division. "^ From 1822 to 1872 R. R. Gurley was agent and secretary of the American Colonization Society and was one of the founders of Liberia. He edited the African Repository and wrote several books. RELIGIOUS AND MORAL CHARACTER 739 his family. You will be glad to know that the family of Philip Lee, in behalf of which I once sought your friendly assistance, are now free & happy. with the highest respect & esteem, ever Your friend & servant R R GUELEY (Speech at a Sunday School Meeting}) City of Washington, Feb. 16, 1831. Francis S. Key, Esq. of Georgetown D. C. proposed the fol- lowing resolution : Resolved, "That the Directors of the American Sunday Union have justly estimated the piety and patriotism of their country- men, in relying upon them for the accomplishment of the great object they have resolved to execute — and that Committees be appointed to solicit donations throughout the District in their behalf." This resolution was seconded by the Hon. DANIEL WEB- STER, member of the Senate of the U. States from the state of Massachusetts, who expressed in a few words his approbation of the objects of the meeting. Notwithstanding the very general provision made for educa- tion, in the part of the country to which he belonged, yet Sunday Schools were there extensively established ; and their usefulness universally acknowledged. Most great conceptions were simple. The present age had struck out two or three ideas, on the important subject of edu- cation, and the diffusion of religious knowledge, partaking, in a very high degree, of this character. They were simple ; but their application was extensive, direct, and efficacious. Of these, the leading one, perhaps, was the distribution of the Holy Scrip- tures, without note or comment; an idea, not only full of piety, and duty, and of candour also, but strictly just and philo- sophical; since the knowledge of the general truth must, of necessity, be communicated, before there can exist a capacity to examine and decide on those different views and inferences, em- ' This is taken from a newspaper clipping contained in Webster's collection now in the library of the New Hampshire Historical Society, The name of the paper has not been noted on the clipping. 740 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER braced by Christians of various denominations and various opin- ions. The object of Sunday Schools, and of the particular resolu- tion now before the meeting, was, as he understood it, of similar large and liberal character. It was to diffuse the elements of knowledge, and to teach the great truths of Revelation. It was to improve, to the highest of all purposes, the leisure of the Sab- bath ; to render its rest sacred, by thoughts turned towards the Deity, and aspiring to a knowledge of his word and will. There were other plans of benevolence, about which men might differ. But it seemed to him, there could be no danger of error here. If we were sure of any thing, we were sure of this, that the knowledge of their Creator, their duty and their des- tiny, is good to men ; and that, whatever, therefore, draws the attention of the young to the consideration of these objects, and enables them to feel their importance, must be advantageous to human happiness, in the highest degree, and in all worlds. In the great wants of their moral nature, all men are alike. All were born in want of culture, in want of knowledge, in want of something to explain to them, not only what they may see around them, but their own nature, condition and destiny. In civilized times, and in a Christian land, the means of this knowl- edge were to be supplied to the young, by parental care, by pub- lic provision, or by Christian benevolence. They were not as- sembled in pursuance of a call, made by this last means of opera- tion. It was to afford to some what all needed. It was to ad- minister to the indispensable moral necessities of mankind. It was to supply, or aid in supplying, the elements of knowledge, religious, moral and literary, to the children throughout a most interesting and important portion of the country. He was most happy to concur in this object, and to be present at this meeting, to give it his aid and encouragement.^ (To Rev. Kingston Goddard} ) My Dear Sir: — In thanking you for a beautiful and excellent sermon, with ' A confession of faith written by Webster at the age of twenty-five years, may be found in "History of Salisbury," collated by J. L. Dearborn, p. 839, also in New Hampshire Gen. Association Minutes, 1848, pp. 77, 78. ^ This letter is taken from a newspaper clipping in the possession of C. B. Bliss, of Bangor, Me. Neither date nor name of paper is known. RELIGIOUS AND MORAL CHARACTER 741 which I was much impressed, it occurred to me to suggest to you, perhaps presumptiously, that motives of a strong and peculiar character might be addressed to the third and last class of per- sons described by your text. "Domestic happiness, that only bliss Of Paradise that has escaped our fall," is yet, like all things earthly, transitory. — The circle of family love must one day be broken up by death; but if its members are led to become Christians, it will be joined again, and united to the great family of the redeemed and blessed in another world. — The idea is common, but judging from my own feel- ings, and what we see of its effects on others, it is persuasive and touching. Undoubtedly, an amiable man, with tender sentiments and affections, is liable to think of no greater felicity than is afforded by the domestic circle. Do you remember Dr. Watts' stanza — "The fondness of a creature's love How strong it strikes the sense ! Thither our warm affections move, Nor can we call them thence." I pray you my dear sir, to excuse this apparent abruptness from a stranger, but a very sincere and most respectful good wisher. Dani,. Webster. (To Joshua C. Oliver, Philadelphia.) g- Washington Jan. 3, [1833] I have rec'd your letter. Mr. Fuller, to whom you refer, was teller in the B. U. S. at Boston. He was tempted, by his neces- sities I suppose, to appropriate to his otem use, certain monies of the Bank. I have no doubt, that when he began the peculation, he intended to replace the money, but he was not able to do so ; & his defalcation being found out, he was prosecuted, & severely punished. I know little of him, except that his character was good, among the gentlemen in the Bank, till his misconduct was discovered. He is an uncommonly good writer, a correct ac- countant, & I have no doubt has capacity enough to earn a sup- port for himself & family, if he could get into some proper em- 74« LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER ployment. As for his diligence & fidelity, he must himself make them manifest. I cannot vouch farther than for his competency & ability. If he can get some employment, such as that of a writer, or accountant, by which he support himself & family, by hard work, until he can acquire confidence, it is the best thing for him. Yrs [D. Webstee]* (To John Fuller.^) gij. Washington Jan. 3 (1833) I have rec'd y'r letter I am very sorry I was not able to speak to Dr. Perkins, in your behalf; but so many things pressed on my attention, that I could not find an opportunity — I have written to him, by this Post, & also to Mr Oliver I hope you may get into some business such as shall enable you to maintain your family ; but things depend on yourself, & on . your own strict conformity to every dictate of duty & prudence. lYou cannot restore yourself to confidence without exemplary good conduct & strict diligence; & such you must make it your pur- pose to exhibit. — With good wishes for yourself & family I remain Yrs D. Webstee. (To Horatio G. CUley? ) Washington Sunday Evening Feby. 25, 1838. My Dear Sir, Before this reaches you, you will probably have heard of the death of your Nephew, the Honble Mr Cilley, member of the House of Representatives from the State of Maine. This melancholy event was the result of a Duel, fought yester- day afternoon, between him & the Honble Mr Graves, a member of the same House of Congress, from the State of Kentucky. I have no authentic information of the circumstances which led ' This is the draft of the letter sent and is in Daniel Webster's hand. There is among the Webster papers a like letter to Dr. Perkins. ^ A young man who had embezzled from his employers and for whom Daniel Webster had been asked to intercede. =• Horatio G. CiUey, of Deerfield, N. H. RELIGIOUS AND [MORAL CHARACTER 743 to the contest, nor of those which accompanied it. The friends of the Parties will no doubt immediately lay before the public statements of such particulars as they may suppose friends may desire naturally to be informed of. The main object of this letter, is to express my commiseration with the numerous branches of your family, with whom I have been more or less acquainted, at this afflicting occurrence. Mr Cilley himself I had not known much. He had so recently become a member of Congress, that our acquaintance was slight. I had heard him speak in his place, once or twice, however, & I thought he spoke with ability. But having known his father, & most of his uncles, either in public or private life, & having had some little acquaintance with his relatives, of his own generation, I have felt it a kind of duty to express toward them condolence, & commiseration ; & I ask you to communicate these sentiments, as you may meet with the mem- bers of the family, whom I know. The members of the Delegation from Maine, in both Houses, all of whom are deeply affected by the event, will do all that re- mains to be done. The funeral will probably be attended tomor- row. How melancholy it is. My Dear Sir, that neither law, nor religion, nor both, can check the prevalence, in society, of the practice of private combat ! ^ With friendly regard, Yours Danl Webstee. (To Mrs. Caroline Webster.) My Dear Wife Wednesday Eve' Feb. 12 (1840) I reed yr letter, night before last, giving the awful account of poor Mrs. M's conduct. It has made my heart bleed. I have regarded her as an excellent religious woman. She was with our family, in times of affliction, & I had the most grateful & respect- ful feelings towards her. And her husband — poor Mr. March — what will he do. He & I were young men together — Our fath- ers were friends. We were fellow lodgers, at the commencement of life, & have been friends ever since. Many, many years ago, he introduced me to the first circle of N. Y. friends, which I ever had ; — Mr. Gracie, Mr. Lenox, D. B. Ogden, John Welles, Saml ' A copy of this letter was kindly sent me by Horatio Gates Cilley, of Manchester, N. H, 744- LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER Boyd, &c &c. I declare I have had no happiness since I rec'd y'r letter. The only consolation is, the woman must be crazy. She cannot be so wicked as to do such things in her right mind. Poor Mr. M, I fear, will go crazy himself. I have been very busy all day, in preparing some written argu- ments for the Court — & in passing two or three hours in the Senate. Nothing of importance in the political world has oc- curred since I wrote you last. Mr. Hoffman is said to have made a very good speech today, on some subject, in H of R. His reputation is fast rising, in Congress. You know he has a son. I have not seen Mrs. H. Night before last, Mr. & Mrs. Curtis went to a party at Mrs. O. Taylor's. Tonight, there is an assembly, which they also attend. Tomorrow Eve, a party at Mr. Forsythe's, & very soon another at Mrs. Clement HiUs. I attend none of them. I have sent Mr. Jones a P. office Book. My news from Boston is not very fresh, but I had a letter from Julia some days ago. She says Mr. Davis was rather better. It is now the middle of Feby, & in six weeks I shall be making a visit to Boston — Pray remember that, & come along as soon as you can. I hope this milder weather is favorable to your father. Pray give my love to him. I do not expect him to take the trouble of answering my letters ; but if any thing important oc- curs, I will write him again soon. If our friends, the Messrs. Whites, have at last reaped the fruits of their conduct, in supporting the outrageous policy of Genl Jackson, in regard to money matters, I shall not be so un- christian as to rejoice in their misfortunes, but I shall pray that this discipline may tend to their improvements, & edification. Adieu! Yrs always, (with a rascally steel pen) Danl Webster (Extract from the Diary of James Kent} ) Aug 22 1840 "August 22. Daniel Webster dined with me on his own invi- tation. He was on his way to Morristown and to Sussex County to meet a gathering of the Whi^s. Dr. Condit, of Morristown, dined with me. Mr. Collins dined here. It was a very interest- ing party, and Mr. Webster charmed the party. He is 57 years ' Printed in the " Memoirs of Chancellor Kent," 261. RELIGIOUS AND MORAL CHARACTER 745 old, and looks worn and furrowed ; his belly becomes protuberant, and his eyes deep in his head. I sympathize with his condition. He has been too free a liver. He ate but little, and drank wine freely." (To Thomas Fessenden et al} ' Washington, December 19, 1842. Gentlemen : It will not be in my power to be among you on the 22nd, but my heart is always with those who, on that occasion, render honor to the virtues of our Pilgrim Fathers. The simple language of the venerable Historian of Connecticut is, that our ancestors came hither "to settle on bare creation." — But they acted on principles, and set an example, which con- verted this bare creation into as fair an inheritance, as has ever fallen to the lot of man. Providence disciplines men for the tasks which they are called on to perform; and the difficulties which these emigrants encountered, were hardly more than were requisite to give them the fearlessness of purpose, and hardihood of char- acter, which were demanded by their situation. For all their toils, they were rewarded, by their success, by the sense of duty well performed, and by the happy consciousness, that they had been made instruments, by which God had intro- duced civilization and Christianity, into a new world. Happy founders of a new Society ! Fortunate benefactors of succeeding times ! May all who enjoy the blessings secured by their efforts, cherish their memories, and imitate their virtues. I am Gentlemen, with regard, yours Daniel Webster. (To €harles W. Ridgely.) Washington March 3, 1845. Dear Sir, — I feel greatly honored by your communication; which I re- ceived on my return to this city from the North, on Saturday; and am sincerely obliged to my friend Mr. Williams, for causing me to be made a member of the Baltimore Sabbath Association. ' This letter is owned by the Hon. George F. Hoar. 746 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER The longer I live, the more highly do I estimate the impor- tance of a proper observance of the Christian Sabbath, and the more grateful do I feel towards those who take pains to impress a sense of this importance on the community. The Lord's day, is the day on which the Gospel is preached! it is the day of public worship throughout the world. And although we live in a reading age, and in a reading community, yet the preaching of the Gospel, is the form in which human agency has been, and still is, most efficaciously employed for the spiritual improvement of men. That the poor had the gospel preached to them, was an evidence of his mission, which the Author of Christianity himself proclaimed. And to the public worship of the Deity, and the preaching of the Gospel, the observance of the Sabbath, is obviously essential. I am, dear Sir, with much regard, Your obedient Servant Dauiel Webstek. (To .') May 28. '46 D'r Sir If you know the writer of this letter, & he is both poor & deserving, you may say to him, when you see him that I am just about as poor as he is — ^that I have worked more than twelve hours a day for fifty years, on an average. That I do not know, experimentally, what wealth is, nor how the bread of idleness tastes — But that I have been generally blessed with good health, in my person, & in my family, for which I give thanks to Providence. And that I have compassion for such cases of sickness & affliction as appear to have visited him & his family. And if you think five or six dollars would be well bestowed, please hand it to him on my account. — Now, another subject. I was foolish eno to buy of W. W. the home in which Mrs Sargent lives. — I have no use for it, & should be glad to sell it — and, for a fair price, would sell with it, the land in Northfield, near it — I suppose this land is, or will be, soon, valuable, if factories are to be built near it — What is the House, & the Land worth? Yr D. W. ' There seems to be no way of ascertaining to whom the letter was written. RELIGIOUS AND MORAL CHARACTER 747 (To Rev. Ichabod S. Spencer}) My Dear Sir — Washington, Dec. 7, 1850. I am greatly obliged to you for sending me a copy of your sermon deKvered on the 24!th of November. It is refreshing to read a production which, founding itself upon the express in- junction of the holy scriptures, goes back from theory to com- mandment, from human hypotheses and speculation to the de- clared will of God. Obedience to established government is something more, and much more, than a mere idea of expediency; it is a Christian duty. You say, very truly, that "law is a friend to the human race." Without law the human race must have remained forever in a state of barbarism. Law pervades the physical universe, and pervades equally the social system of mankind. You are, of course, familiar with Hooker's celebrated, most truthful and most sublime description of law. If you have not recurred to it lately, allow me to ask you to turn to it. I never read it without the strongest emotions. "Of Law nothing more can be said than that her seat is the bosom of God, her voice the harmony of the universe," etc. To the same effect is the beauti- ful ode of Alcaeus, translated by Sir William Jones. But, par- don me, my dear sir, I am making suggestions to one who is more fit to make them to me. I am appearing to lead, where I am quite content to follow. Yours, with the sincerest regard, Daniel Webster. (To Porter Wright.) Mr Porter Wright Washington, M T' '51. Dear Sir. Almost all John Taylors family are sick with two diseases, — hooping cough and measles ; it would an act of charity for Mrs Baker to go up and see them for a couple of days. Yours truly Danl Webster. ' On Sunday, November 24, 1850, Rev. Dr. Ichabod S. Spencer, of Brooklyn, N. Y., preached a sermon on the Fugitive Slave Law. The sermon was pub- lished in pamphlet form, and Dr. Spencer sent a copy to Daniel Webster. In acknowledgment of the receipt of the sermon, Mr. Webster wrote Dr. Spencer this letter. The editor takes this from a newspaper clipping belonging to C. E. Bliss, of Bangor, Me. 748 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER (To F. D. Anderson et cH.) Maushfield, October 8, 1851. Gentlemen : It is a matter of deep regret to me, that I did not receive your kind letter of the 9th of August till a very late day. I was in the mountains of New Hampshire, taking a breath of my native air, and it was the last of August before I retiu-ned. I know not whether, if I had received your communication sooner, it would have been in my power to attend the meeting to which I was in- vited, but I should have been able to have given a more timely answer. There can be no question that the Temperance movement, in the United States, has done infinite good. The moral influences of the Temperance associations has been everywhere felt, and always with beneficial results. In some cases, it is true, the Tem- perance measures have been carried to excess, where they have invoked legislative penalties, and sought to enforce the virtue of Temperance by the power of the Law. To a certain extent, this, no doubt, is justifiable and useful; but it is the moral principle of Temperance, it is the conscientious duty which it teaches, to abstain from intoxicating draughts, such as are hurtful both to mind and body, which are the great agents for the reformation of manners in this respect. Your order is quite right in connecting benevolence and charity with Temperance. They may well go hand-in-hand. He whose faculties are never debauched or stupefied, whose mind is always active and alert, and who practices self-denial, is naturally drawn to consider the deserving objects which are about him, that may be poor, or sick, or diseased. Love, Purity, and Fidelity are considered Christian virtues; and I hope that those "banners" which bear these words for their motto may rise higher and higher, and float more and more widely through this and all other countries. You have invited me, gentlemen, if I could attend the meeting, to address the members of your order on the great subject of Union. I should have done so with pleasure, although I do not propose to continue the practice of addressing great multitudes of men ; yet I could not have refused to have expressed my opin- ions on the great topics of the day, in the State of Maryland. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. I pray you to be assured, gentlemen, that I value highly the RELIGIOUS AND MORAL CHARACTER 749 opinion you have expressed for my public character and con- duct ; and I indulge the hope that I may ere long meet some of you in the city where my public duties are discharged ; and most of all, I fervently trust that you and I, and your children and my children will remain fellow-citizens of one great united Re- public, so long as society shall exist among us. While I live, every effort in my power, whether made in public or in private life, will be devoted to the promotion of that great end. I am, gentlemen, very respectfully, your obliged friend and fellow citizen.-' Daniel. Websteb. (To Porter Wright.) Dear Porter Wright Jan. 11, 1852. I have rec'd your letter of the 7th. We are quite anxious about your wife, & hope you will write us a short line often. You have the sick all round you. If there be any thing in our House that can do them good, be sure to let them have it. Mrs. Webster & I are quite well. Yrs Danl Websteb (To D. Fletcher Webster.) N. Y. Sunday, Nov. 7. 2 o'clock Dear Fletcher We left Boston yesterday at 4, for this City by way of Nor- wich, but having got aground in the Thames, at low water, were delayed, & arrived here only at 1/2 past 12 today. I shall stay here but a day or two, tho' Mrs. W. may stay longer, & come on with Edward, whom we left behind. Caroline wrote us of the folly of Chas Mettinger, which is con- firmed here. Ann is greatly distressed, & crying her eyes out. I gave the undutiful boy a place, mainly, that he might be of help to his poor mother, who was worked so hard for him; & since he behaved so improperly and ungratefully, I choose to have * This letter was written in answer to an invitation from Mr. F. D. Anderson and others to attend a celebration of the temperance cause in Harford County, Maryland. This copy is taken from a volume in the possession of Mr. C. E. Bliss, of Bangor, Me., entitled "John Randolph of Roanoke," by F. W. Thomas, p. 3T3. 750 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER no more to do with him; and unless you know good reason to the contrary, I wish you to pay him off, & dismiss him, before I reach Washington. I presume Ann will remain here. I have not yet seen Mr. Curtis, nor anbody else. Mrs. W. & Uncle G. quite well. Yrs truly Danl Webstee (John Jewries to Mr. Sleeper}) Boston, Nov. 20, 1852. Mr. Sleeper; Sir, — I send you for publication the remarks made by me at a late medical dinner. I am not confident that it is in the precise terms which I then used, but it is a correct ac- count of the incidents to which I referred on that occasion. Your obedient servant, John Jeffeies. On Wednesday, the 10th inst., I had the pleasure of dining with the "Southern District Medical Society," at New Bedford, and in answer to a call to give some information regarding the sickness of the late Hon. Daniel Webster, I took occasion after a brief statement of his case, to make some remarks calculated to remove aspersion upon his moral character; and particularly to show that the assertion was false that he was under the influence of intoxicating liquor on the occasion of his public address in Faneuil Hall on May 22d, 1852. A declaration to this efi'ect I had heard several times emanating from persons of intelligence and influence. I did not intend to vindicate the character of Mr. Webster — it needed no defence. I did it to disabuse the minds of those who had heard it, from the influence of a direct assertion which I knew to be without any foundation. I meant by a simple relation of circumstances under my own observation to show that the charge was entirely untrue. I stated that after the injury Mr. Webster received from a fall from his carriage in Duxbury in May, he came to this city, and was under my professional care for some days previous to the delivery of his speech ; that I had visited him two or three times daily, and had reduced his diet below his usual mode of living, in consequence of inflammation in his arm. ' This letter is taken from a newspaper clipping made by Peter Harvey. RELIGIOUS AND MORAL CHARACTER 761 That on the day of his address, I visited him twice in the morning, and dressed his arm particularly for the occasion. After dressing him I said "I have kept you very low, sir, for some time, and as you have an arduous duty to perform to-day, I think I shall advise you to take a glass of wine at dinner, and to eat a little meat." He was walking across the room at this time, when he stopped, and turning towards me, replied in a familiar but decided man- ner — "I don't know. Doctor ; I think I shall not. I have found the benefit of temperance. I shall take a cup of soup, retire to my chamber and lie down for two hours, then I shall dress and be ready for his Honor the Mayor when he calls to attend me to Faneuil Hall." At his request I went with him to the Hall, and am fuUy con- vinced that he had not on that day, or for some days preceeding, taken even the smallest amount of stimulating drinks. I ad- mitted that Mr. Webster was in the occasional use of wine, and sometimes of other alcoholic drinks, and gave as a probable rea- son that it was much more the custom in Washington than in this City; But I confidently expressed the opinion that no man could be produced, who could show that he knew — although many might erroneously presume, as in the instance above referred to — that his great intellect was ever clouded by stimulants ; or that he was unfitted at any time, even for the production of State papers. I avail myself of this opportunity to add a few words more in confirmation of what I have stated above. At the time of his reception by the City, Mr. Webster ap- peared to possess his full intellectual strength. In reply to an apprehension expressed by me that morning, he said : "I feel as able to make a speech of two hours' duration, as ever I did in my life." But he was laboring under great physical debility, requiring the constant assistance of an attendant about his person. This was dispensed with, by a great eff^ort on his part, as was also a sling for his arm, because he did not wish to appear before his fellow-citizens as a sick man. I have always found Mr. Webster perfectly obedient as a pa- tient, especially in following strictly the diet and regimen pre- scribed for him. The nature of the complaints for which I have attended him, has required that these restrictions should be sometimes severe, 752 LETTERS OF DANIEL WEBSTER and on one important occasion, were directly opposed to his own view of his case; but he nevertheless yielded implicitly to my instructions. In his last sickness he required the most exact admeasurement of such stimulants as were thought advisable, and would take none without my express"directions. I am also assured that he always practiced the greatest self- denial whenever especially called upon for the exertion of his intellectual powers. The mighty productions of his pen exhibit the clearness of his intellect as much as the profoundness of his thought. The most rigid casuist may be defied to point to one line in his voluminous works which indicates the weakness of the inebriate. I fear that I have trespassed too much upon your indulgence, Mr. Editor, and will only express, in conclusion, my regret that I do not feel at liberty to give you, for publication, some observa- tions upon the religious character of Mr. Webster; a subject which I entered upon in my late remarks, but had not time to continue. Some unintentional inaccuracies have entered into the memo- riter report of the gentlemen at New Bedford, which do not, however, affect the general truth of his statements. THE END. CHRONOLOGICAL INDEX LETTERS FROM DANIEL WEBSTER Date 1802 Mar. 3. May 5. 1803 Sept. 28. 1804 Oct. 20. 1805 May 25. 1807 Dec. 2. 1808 Oct. 21. Oct. 26. 1812 June Dec. 11. 1813 May 24. May 25. May 26. May 27. May 28. May 31. June 3. June 3. June 4. June 6. June 7. June 8. June 9- June 10. June 11. June 12. June 14. June 15. June 19- June 21. June 22. June 24. June 26- Sent to Page Samuel Bradley. . . . Jas. H. Bingham . . . 6 7 14 Jas. H. Bingham Moses Davis 16 Ezekiel Webster 22 Fuller 25 Stephen Moody 24 Stephen Moody .... 24 Moses P. Payson.. . . 29 Timothy Pickering . . 29 Ezekiel Webster. . . 31 C. March 32 Edw. Cutts, Jr 32 Chas. March Q) .... 34 Chas. March 34 Chas. March 35 Chas. March 36 Chas. March 36 Ezekiel Webster. . . 37 Chas. March 37 Chas. March 38 Chas. March 38 Chas. March 39 Chas. March 39 Chas. March 40 Moody Kent 40 Chas. March 42 Chas. March 42 Chas. March 42 Chas. March 43 Chas. March 44 Chas. March 44 Chas. March 45 Date 1813 June 28. June 29. July 6. July 10. 1814 June 29. Oct. 17. Oct. 20. Oct. 30. Nov. 29. Dec. 22. 1815 Jan. 14. Jan. 22. 1816 Oct. 10. Oct. 29. 1817 June 28. Dec. 8. 1818 Mar. 11. June 29. July 27. Nov. 28. 1819 Feb. 24. Feb. 28. Apr. 10. May 5. May — . May 27. 1820 Feb. 15. June 25. Nov. 12. 1821 July 11. July 15. Sept. 12. Sent to Page Chas. March 46 Chas. March 46 Chas. March 47 Chas. March 47 James Thorn 49 Mr. Lawrence 50 William SulUvan. . . 50 Ezekiel Webster. . . 51 Ezekiel Webster. . . 54 Ezekiel Webster. . . 55 Moody Kent, Esq. . . 69 Moody Kent. 69 Ezekiel Webster. . . 68 Moses P. Payson... 70 Jeremiah Mason... 71 Jeremiah Mason. . . 73 Jeremiah Mason. ... 74 Rev. Francis Brown . 75 Jeremiah Mason .... 76 Jacob McGaw 77 Dr. Cyrus Perkins. . 77 Jeremiah Mason ... . 78 Jeremiah Smith .... 79 Jeremiah Mason ... . 80 Jeremiah Mason .... 81 Jeremiah Mason .... 82 Jeremiah Mason .... 82 Henry Baldwin. ... 83 Jeremiah Mason .... 84 Jeremiah Mason .... 85 Jeremiah Mason .... 86 Jeremiah Mason. ... 86 Jeremiah Mason ... 87 755 756 CHRONOLOGICAL INDEX Date 1832 Jan. 3. Jan. — . Feb. 6. 1823 Mar. 25. Nov. 30. Dec. 22. 1824 Jan. 9. Jan. 12. Feb. 15. Apr. 5. Apr. 6. May 23. June 5. Sept. 8. Nov. 14. Dec. 18. Dec. 31. 1825 Jan. 18. Jan. 25. Feb. 25. Feb. 26. Feb. 26. May 21. May 22. May 27. July 10. Nov. 24. Dec. 11. 1826 Feb. 4. Feb. 28. Mar. 20. May 31. Oct. 12. 1827 Feb. 9. Feb. 21. Mar. 3. Mar. 26. Mar. 27. Apr. 4. Sent to Page Samuel Boyd, Esq. . 88 Mrs. Grace Webster. 546 James W. Paige ... 90 Jeremiah Mason. ... 93 Jeremiah Mason. ... 91 Jeremiah Mason ... . 93 Jeremiah Mason. ... 93 Wm. Plumer 101 Nathan Appleton. . . 101 Ezekiel Webster. . . 102 Jeremiah Mason. . . 103 Jeremiah Mason. . . 103 Jeremiah Mason ... 105 Ezekiel Webster. .. 106 William Gaston 107 Jeremiah Mason. . . 109 Wm. Plumer (.?).. .110 Edward Everett.... 611 Ezekiel Webster. ..110 Jeremiah Mason... 110 Thomas H. Benton. Ill John Q. Adams .... 1 1 2 Ezekiel Webster ... 1 1 3 Jeremiah Mason. . . 114 Jeremiah Smith . ... 1 1 5 James W. Paige... 6l 2 James W. Paige. . .691 James W. Paige ... 1 1 5 Jeremiah Mason ... 1 1 5 Jared Sparks 692 John Q. Adams. . . Il6 (?) 117 William Gaston 119 Jared Sparks 695 Ezekiel Webster. . . 120 Jacob McGaw 6l2 J. Q. Adams 122 J. Q. Adams 122 J. Q. Adams 122 Ezekiel Webster . . 124 Date 1827 Apr. 27. May 23. May 30. May 30. June 13. June 22. June 30. Dec. 3. Dec. 4. 1828 Mar. 18. Mar. 20. Mar. 22. Mar. 25. Apr. 13. May 11. July 20. Aug. — . Sept. 13. Sept. — . Oct. 11. Dec. 15. 1829 Jan. 25. Feb. 5. Feb. 23. Feb. 26. Mar. 2. May l6. Aug. 11. Sept. 24. Nov. 18. Dec. 21. 1830 Feb. 15. Mar. l6. Mar. 19. Mar. 24. Apr. 14. Apr. 19. Sent to Page Joseph E. Sprague. .125 J. E. Sprague 126 J. E. Sprague 126 Nathan Appleton. .125 Ezekiel Webster. . .127 Ezekiel Webster.. .127 J. Q. Adams 128 James W. Paige . . . 570 James W. Paige . . . 570 James W. Paige... 571 Ezekiel Webster. . . 133 Jeremiah Mason. . . 136 Jos. E. Sprague .... 1 34 Robert B. Campbell. .137 Jos. E. Sprague. ... 135 D. Fletcher Web- ster 574 Jos. E. Sprague. . .138 Jos. E. Sprague. . .139 J. Q. Adams 140 Jos. E. Sprague .... 140 Jacob McGaw 7S6 W. W. Seaton 613 Mrs. Cyrus Perkins. 615 Josiah Quincy 615 Ezekiel Webster.. .143 Ezekiel Webster. . . 141 Ezekiel Webster. . . 144 Ezekiel Webster. . . 145 Mrs. Ezekiel Web- ster 576 Jeremiah Mason 619 Henry Clay 146 Jacob McGaw 577 718 Mrs. Caroline Web- ster 578 Jos. E. Sprague 149 Jeremiah Mason. ... 150 Hon. Jos. E. Sprague. 1 52 Jeremiah Mason . ... 1 52 Louis Dwight 155 LETTERS FROM DANIEL WEBSTER 757 Date 1830 Apr. 20. Apr. 20. Apr. 27. May 28. June 4. June 28. Nov. 22. 1831 Feb. 23. Sept. 11. Sept. 24. Oct. 7. Nov. 16. Dec. 21. 1832 Jan. 4. Jan. 5. Jan. 6. Jan. 9. Jan. 24. June — . June 5. June 11. July 2. July 7. Sept. 10. Nov. 7. 1833 Jan. 3. Jan. 3. Feb. 15. Feb. — . Mar. 21. May 14. July 5. Aug. 6. Sept. 3. Oct. 26. 1834 Jan. 1. Jan. 11. Jan. 13. Jan. 17. Sent to Page Thomas H. Benton. 157 Thomas H. Benton. 171 James Kent 158 H. W. Kinsman 158 Jeremiah Mason... 159 Jos. E. Sprague. . . . l60 Dr. Cyrus Perkins. .619 160 Nathan Appleton . . 1 62 James Buchanan. . . 163 620 Ambrose Spencer. . . 167 Mr. Kinsman (?) 71 9 Thomas H. Benton . 1 69 Thomas H. Benton . 1 70 Thomas H. Benton. 171 Thomas H. Benton. 173 J. Q. Adams 173 Nathan Appleton. . 173 Chancellor Kent . . . 620 John W. Week 621 Abm. Van Vechten. 175 J. Q. Adams 176 Stephen White 713 J. Q. Adams 178 Joshua C. Oliver ... 741 John Fuller 742 Edward Everett 179 Nathan Appleton ..179 Henry Clay (.?) 181 Matthew Carey 182 D. Fletcher Webster.586 John R. Thomson.. 7 19 Jeremiah Smith .... 186 Mrs. Ezekiel Web- ster.. , 586 I. W. Kelly 622 H. W. Kinsman 720 H. W. Kinsman 721 Nathan Appleton. . . 187 Date 1834 Jan. 21. Feb. 2. Mar. 9. Mar. 21. June 5. Aug. 20. Nov. 9. Dec. 11. Dec. 19. Dec. 26. 183S Jan. 1. Jan. 3. Jan. 29. Feb. 1. Mar. 2. May 30. May 31. Sept. 23. Sept. 25. Nov. 28. Dec. 7. Dec. 23. Dec. 28. 1836 Jan. 10. Jan. 11. Jan. 24. Jan. 29. Feb. 2. Feb. 6. Sent to Page Edward Everett 188 Nathan Appleton. . . 188 Edward Everett 189 Jeremiah Mason. . . 188 D. Fletcher Webster.587 Edward Webster. . .588 Dr. Cyrus Perkins. .621 James W. Paige 189 Nicholas Biddle. . . . 190 Miss Ellen Kelly. ..622 A. G. Stevens 190 Albert Picket et al. . 696 I. W. Kelly 722 Jeremiah Mason. . . 193 Edward Everett 195 Daniel P. King.... 697 Edward Everett 195 Mrs. Caroline Web- ster 623 Mrs. Caroline Web- ster 589 Mrs. Caroline Web- ster 590 Mrs. Caroline Web- ster 591 Mrs. Caroline Web- ster 196 Mrs. Caroline Web- ster 197 Mrs. Caroline Web- ster (?) 723 Mrs. Caroline Web- ster 198 Mrs. Caroline Web- ster 661 Mrs. Caroline Web- ster 199 Mrs. Caroline Web- ster 200 Mrs. Caroline Web- ster 201 Edward E. Marshall. 202 758 CHRONOLOGICAL INDEX Date 1836 Feb. 9. Feb. 21. Feb. 27. Feb. 29. Mar. 6. Mar. 7. Mar. 12. Mar. 14. Apr. 29. Apr. 29. May 6. May 13. May 23. June 9. June 12. Oct. 8. Oct. 31. Sent to Page Mrs. Caroline Web- ster 203 Mrs. Caroline Web- ster 591 Thomas G. Pratt. . .204 H. Hunt 205 Mrs. Caroline Web- ster 205 Mrs. Caroline Web- ster 592 Edward Everett 203 D. Fletcher Webster. 206 Mrs. Caroline Web- ster 207 Ray Thomas (i') .... 661 James Watson Webb. 208 D. Fletcher Webster. 662 Mr. Murphy 662 I. W. Kelly 663 D. Fletcher Webster. 663 Edward Webster. . .593 J. Q. Adams 698 1837 Feb. 4. Edward Webster. . .595 Mar. 4. Edward Everett 210 Sept. 16. Edward Webster. . .595 1838 Jan. 29. Benjamin D. Silli- man 211 Feb. 25. Horatio G. Cilley..742 Mar. 5. N. Ray Thomas 666 June 29. Mrs. Caroline Web- ster 596 July 4. Mrs. Caroline Web- ster 212 July 6. Mrs. Caroline Web- ster 212 July 6. Edward Webster. . . 597 Sept. 8. Edward Webster ... 597 Sept. 18. Edward Webster. . .599 Sept. 21. Edward Webster. . .599 Sept. 27. Henry Cowper- thwaite 214 Date 1839 July 4. 1840 (?) Jan. 5. Feb. 12. Feb. 20. Mar. 2. Mar. 6. Mar. 9. Mar. 11. Mar. 12. Mar. 13. Mar. 14. Mar. 17. May 10. May 23. May 24. May 31. Sept. 29. Oct. 1. Oct. 22. Oct. 25. Oct. 26. Oct. 27. Oct. 28. Nov. 20. 1841 Jan. 28. Jan. 30. Sent to Page Samuel Jaudon 723 Judge Wilkinson . . .220 Nathaniel (?) Coffin. 221 D. Fletcher Web- ster 668 Mrs. Caroline Web- ster 743 James J. Mapes . ... 698 Mrs. Caroline Web- ster 599 James B. Longacre.149 Mrs. Caroline Web- ster 624 Mrs. Caroline Web- ster 625 Mrs. Caroline Web- ster 625 Mrs. Caroline Web- ster 626 Mrs. Caroline Web- ster 626 Mrs. Carohne Web- ster 627 Q) Peter Harvey. . .627 John Taylor 669 Peter Harvey 221 D. Fletcher Webster. 222 Mrs. Caroline Web- ster 670 Mrs. Caroline Web- ster 223 Mrs. Caroline Web- ster 225 Geo. W. Nesmith. . . 224 Mrs. Caroline Web- ster 670 Mrs. Caroline Web- ster 671 Mrs. Caroline Web- ster 672 Mr. Connell 628 Theophilus Parsons. 227 C. F. Adams 230 LETTERS FROM DANIEL WEBSTER 759 Date Sent to Page Date 1841 1842 Feb. 10. John Davis 230 Oct. 5. Mar. 17. Wm. H. Seward.. . .231 Oct. 6. July — . John Tyler 232 Oct. 15. July 15. Joshua A. Spencer. 234 Oct. 19. Aug. 4. Mrs. Caroline Web- Oct. 20. ster 234 Oct. 20. Aug. 16. Mrs. Caroline Web- Oct. 20. ster 235 Nov. 1. Aug. 19. Mrs. Caroline Web- Nov.(.'')3, ster 236 Dec. 19- Aug. 20. John Tyler 237 Aug. 22. Mrs. Caroline Web- i843 ster 601 Jan. 9- Sept. 10. Peter Harvey 237 Jan. 21. Oct. 25. D. Fletcher Webster. 241 Feb. — . Nov. 13. D. Fletcher Webster. 241 Mar. 11. Nov. 25. John Tyler 241 Mar. 11. Dec. 21. Edward Kent 248 Mar. 18. 1842 Mar. 31. Feb. 2. Reuel Williams. . . .256 -^P'" ^■ Feb. 9. John Wilson 255 ^P""' ]y- Feb. 18. Reuel Williams 260 "^^^ '■ Feb. 19. Samuel Rush ei al. .261 1^** Mar. 1. Seth Weston 673 Jan. 23. Mar. 11. Pearce & Bullock. .. 263 Feb. 23. Mar. 26. Chas. H. Upton 726 Mar. 30. Edward Everett (?) . 266 Ju^y §• Apr. 28. Edward Everett. . . 268 1845 May 16. D. Fletcher Webster.602 Jan. 27. June 27. Waddy Thomson. . .269 Feb. 13. July 15. John Davis Q) 270 Feb. 18. July 30 272 Feb. 24. Aug. — . Mrs. Caroline Web- Mar. 2. ster 602 Mar. — . Aug. 5. Fletcher Webster. . . 273 Mar. 3. Aug. 8. John Tyler 274 Mar. 3. Aug. 8. John Tyler 275 Mar. 5. Aug. — . Mrs. Caroline Web- Mar. 9. ster 275 Mar. 11. Aug — . Mrs. Caroline Web- Mar. 12. ster 276 Mar. 24. Aug. 28. John Tyler (?) 276 June 21. Sept. 4. D. Fletcher Webster.277 Aug. 8. Oct. 4. D. Fletcher Webster.278 Sept. 11. Sent to Page D. Fletcher Webster.279 D. Fletcher Webster.279 D. Fletcher Webster.280 D. Fletcher Webster.281 D. Fletcher Webster.281 D. Fletcher Webster.282 D. Fletcher Webster.282 Seth Weston 673 D. Fletcher Webster. 282 Thomas Fessenden et al. 745 John Quincy Adams.285 Mrs. Jeremiah Smith.629 D. Fletcher Webster. 286 Jared Sparks 286 Jared Sparks 286 Jared Sparks 287 Seth Weston 674 D. Fletcher Webster.287 D. Fletcher Webster. 288 John Q. Adams 288 Mr. Bigelow et al. . .289 Mrs. Fletcher Web- ster 603 R. M. Blatchford ... 629 Seth Weston 727 Peter Harvey (?)... 295 Peter Harvey 296 D. Fletcher Webster. 727 D. Fletcher Webster.296 D. Fletcher Webster. 296 D. Fletcher Webster. 297 Charles W. Ridgely.745 D. Fletcher Webster. 298 D. Fletcher Webster. 298 D. Fletcher Webster. 299 D. Fletcher Webster. 299 D. Fletcher Webster. 3 00 D. Fletcher Webster. 302 Nathan Appleton. . . 630 Nathan Appleton. . . 63 1 760 CHRONOLOGICAL INDEX Date Sent to Page 1845 Dec. 11. D.Fletcher Webster. 304 Dec. 25. D. Fletcher Webster.304 1846 Jan. 12. D.Fletcher Webster. 305 Jan. 12. Nathan Appleton. . . 305 Jan. 14. D.Fletcher Webster. 306 Jan. 20. Nathan Appleton. . . 306 Jan. 27. D. Fletcher Webster.307 Jan. 29. Q) Nathan Appleton. 308 Jan. 30. D. Fletcher Webster. 728 Feb. 17. D. Fletcher Webster.729 Feb. 25. Seth Weston 675 Mar. 3. Seth Weston 675 Mar. 5. John Tyler 309 Mar. 20. Robert C. Wmthrop.311 May 9. Edward Curtis 325 May 17. D. Fletcher Webster. 326 May 20. D.Fletcher Webster. 326 May 25. D. Fletcher Webster.327 May 28 746 May 29. D. Fletcher Webster.328 May 31. D.Fletcher Webster.328 May 31. D. Fletcher Webster. 328 June 1. D. Fletcher Webster. 329 June 10. D. Fletcher Webster.330 June 13. D. Fletcher Webster.330 June — . (?) D. F. Webster.. .331 July 8. Nathan Appleton. . . 332 July 16. James K. Mills 334 July — . (?) 335 July 21. James K. Mills 335 July 21. James K. Mills 335 July — . James K. Mills (?). .336 July — . James K. Mills 336 July 29. D. Fletcher Webster. 337 Aug. 1. D. Fletcher Webster. 342 Aug. 4. D. Fletcher Webster. 343 Aug. 6. D. Fletcher Webster. 343 Aug. 1 3. Seth Weston 714 Oct. 28. D. Fletcher Webster. 343 Nov. 3. Seth Weston 675 Dec. 10. D.Fletcher Webster. 344 Dec. 10. Edward Everett 345 1847 Jan. — . Sherrod Williams . . . 346 Date 1847 Jan. 10. Jan. 14. Jan. 25. Feb. — . Feb. 5. Feb. 6. Feb. 7. Feb. 12. Feb. 22. Mar. 1. Mar. 17. Mar. 21. Mar. 29. Apr. 5. Apr. 18. Apr. 21. Apr. 27. June 21. May 1. ( Sept. 26. Nov. 15. Nov. 24. Dec. 7. Dec. 20. Dec. 24. Dec. 26. Dec. 29. Dec. 30. 1848 Jan. 23. Jan. 29. Jan. 31. Feb. 4. Feb. 19. Apr. 16. Apr. 22. May 2. May 15, May 25 June 8. Sent to Page D. Fletcher Webster. 729 Seth Weston 675 D. Fletcher Webster. 349 (?)D. F. Webster. .. 349 Edward Webster . . . 353 D. Fletcher Webster.350 D. Fletcher Webster.350 Seth Weston 676 Edward Webster. . .353 Thomas D. Grover etal. 351 D. Fletcher Webster.352 Edward Everett 354 Porter Wright (?)... 677 Benjamin E. Perry. .356 D. Fletcher Webster.356 D. Fletcher Webster.357 D. Fletcher Webster.357 W. W. Seaton 678 ?) Edward Curtis Q).701 D. Fletcher Webster.358 Porter Wright 678 Peter Harvey 729 D. Fletcher Webster. 359 D. Fletcher Webster.730 Seth Weston 679 Samuel Jaudon 730 D. Fletcher Webster. 603 D. Fletcher Webster.731 Seth Weston 679 Edward Everett 361 D. Fletcher Webster. 604 Peter Harvey 362 (?) D. F. Webster... 363 (?) Porter Wright.. 710 Seth Weston 680 D. Fletcher Webster.710 Mrs. W. W. Seaton. 711 Mrs. Harriette Story Paige 702 D. Fletcher Webster. 366 D. Fletcher Webster. 366 D. Fletcher Webster. 366 LETTERS FROM DANIEL WEBSTER 761 Date Sent to Pace 1848 ^ June 10. D. Fletcher Webster.367 June 16. D. Fletcher Webster. 367 June 16. D. Fletcher Webster. 368 June 19. D. Fletcher Webster. 369 July 5. (?) D. Fletcher Web- ster 358 Aug. 6. D. Fletcher Webster.369 Aug. 13. D.Fletcher Webster. 370 Aug. 16. D.Fletcher Webster. 370 Aug. 16. D.Fletcher Webster. 371 Aug. 23. E. Rockwood Hoar .371 Sept. 1. D. Fletcher Webster.372 Dec. 26. D. Fletcher Webster.373 1849 Jan. 12. Mr. Hope 692 Feb. — . D. Fletcher Webster.373 Feb. — . Peter Harvey Q) . . . 374 Feb. 9- Porter Wright 681 Mar. 13. Jacob McGaw 632 Mar. 26, D. Fletcher Webster.375 Mar. 28. D. Fletcher Webster. 377 Mar. 29. D. Fletcher Webster. 376 Mar. 29. D. Fletcher Webster. 377 Apr. — . D. Fletcher Webster.381 Apr. — . D. Fletcher Webster.382 D. Fletcher Webster. 382 D. Fletcher Webster.383 D. Fletcher Webster. 383 D. Fletcher Webster.384 D. Fletcher Webster.381 D. Fletcher Webster. 381 D. Fletcher Webster. 383 D. Fletcher Webster. 379 D. Fletcher Webster. 380 D. Fletcher Webster. 384 (?) D. Fletcher Web- ster 385 Thomas Ewing 385 D. Fletcher Webster.387 D. Fletcher Webster.387 D. Fletcher Webster.S88 May 3. D. Fletcher Webster.7 14 May 8. D. Fletcher Webster. 388 June 12. Mrs. Carohne Web- ster 609 Apr. 2. Apr. 3. Apr. 11. Apr. 12. Apr. 16. Apr. 24. Spring. May 1. May — . May — . Date Sent to Page 1849 June 15. Mr. Blatchford 715 June 28. D. Fletcher Webster.7 15 Oct. 6. Moore Russell 632 Nov. 9. Porter Wright 681 Dec. — . Porter Wright 681 Dec. 31. Samuel N. Sweet.. .693 . Rev. A. Potter ,693 . Dr. Warren {?) •.694> 1850 Jan. 25. D. Fletcher Webster. 391 Feb. 1. D. Fletcher Webster. 391 Feb. 2. Porter Wright 731 Feb. 13. Peter Harvey 392 Feb. 24. Fletcher Webster. . . 393 Mar. 21. D. Fletcher Webster. 405 Mar. 22. (?) Peter Harvey. . .405 Apr. — . Peter Harvey 408 Apr. 3. D.Fletcher Webster. 409 Apr. 8. D. Fletcher Webster.409 Apr. 8. (?) John Taylor 682 Apr. 24. D. Fletcher Webster.4 10 May 8. Worcester Webster. 732 May 1 1 . (?) Peter Harvey 412 May 18. J. Prescott Hall 412 May 29. Peter Harvey 413 May 29. Peter Harvey (.?).. .414 June — . D. Fletcher Webster.41 5 June 2. Peter Harvey 415 June 3. Peter Harvey (?) . . .416 June 4. Peter Harvey 417 June 10. Fletcher Webster.. .417 June 18. Samuel Lawrence. . .418 June 19- To the Citizens of New York 418 June 23. Rev. Hubbard Wins- low 419 June 28. D. Fletcher Webster. 71 6 July 9- Peter Harvey 419 July 12. Millard Fillmore . . .421 July 19. Millard Fillmore . . .421 July 24. (?) D. Fletcher Web- ster 422 July 30. Millard Fillmore. . . . 422 Aug. 2. Peter Harvey 422 Aug. 3. Millard Filhnore 423 762 CHRONOLOGICAL INDEX Date 18S0 Aug. 6. Aug. 10. Aug. 14. Aug. 16. Aug. 19. Aug. 26. Aug. 28. Sept. 3. Sept. 3. Sept. 11. Sept. 19. Oct. 2. Oct. 19. Oct. 24. Oct. 28. Nov. 3. Nov. 7. Nov. 15. Nov. 16. Nov. 16. Nov. 28. Dec. 2. Dec. 2. Dec. 7. Dec. 21. Dec. 21. 1851 Sent to Page Jan. 11. Jan. — . Jan. 15. Jan. 17. Jan. 19. Feb. 11. Feb. 17. Feb. 28. Mar. 1. Mar. — . Mar. 7. Mar. 17. Mar. 19. Millard FiUmore 423 Samuel Lawrence. . . 424 Peter Harvey 424 Peter Harvey 424 Denning Jarves .... 426 Millard Fillmore 427 Henry D. Moore . . . 633 Millard Fillmore 428 Don Mariana Arista.429 Millard Fillmore 430 Millard Fillmore 431 Peter Harvey 432 Millard Fillmore. . . . 434 Millard Fillmore 437 Millard Fillmore 438 D. Fletcher Webster.439 Wm. Prescott, M.D.440 Millard Fillmore. . . . 440 B. F. Ayer 442 Millard Fillmore. . . . 443 Porter Wright 683 Millard Fillmore. . . . 444 Millard Fillmore. . . . 444 Rev. IchabodS. Spen- cer 747 J. S. Spencer 444 Asabel Huntington . 445 W. W. Seaton 633 W. W. Seaton 633 Millard Fillmore. . . . 445 (?) Millard Fillmore . 446 John M. Clayton. . .454 Millard Fillmore 446 Millard Fillmore. . . . 447 Millard Fillmore 447 Jacob Harvey 457 Millard Fillmore. ... 457 Luther Severance . .458 Henry S. Foote 460 Peter Harvey 460 Millard Fillmore 461 To the French Minis- ter of Foreign Af- fairs 462 Date 1851 Mar. 23. Mar. 27. Apr. — . Apr. 4. Apr. 4. Apr. 4. Apr. 6. Apr. — . Apr. 7. Apr. 7. Apr. 9. Apr. 12. Apr. 23. May 4. May 5. May 9. June 3. June 9. June 9. June 11. June 12. June 16. June 22. June 29. June 29. July 10. July 14. Sept. 10. Oct. 3. Oct. 8. . 7. Nov. 15. Dec. 8. Dec. 16. Dec. 18. Dec. 19. Dec. 21. Sent to Page Millard Fillmore. . . . 464 Duke of Rutland... 635 (?) D.Fletcher Web- ster 464 Millard Fillmore. . . . 464 Millard Fillmore. . . . 466 Geo. Lunt 466 Millard Fillmore 467 Millard Filhnore 468 Peter Harvey 468 Henry W. Hilliard.468 Millard FiUmore. . . . 470 William Sweatt .... 634 Henry B. Rogers et alA'J4s Peter Hanrey (.?). . .474 D. Fletcher Webster. 475 D. Fletcher Webster.475 Thomas Corwin (.?).. 475 Peter Harvey 476 Thurlow Weed 477 Edward Curtis 478 David Henshaw. ... 477 To the Lowell Com- mittee 479 D. Fletcher Webster. 479 D. Fletcher Webster.481 D. Fletcher Webster.7 16 John Taylor 716 J. de Marcoleta 483 Millard Fillmore 483 Luther Severance . . 484 Millard Fillmore 487 Wm. W. Story 636 F. D. Anderson et al. 7i8 Porter Wright 747 Mr. Hulsemann .... 491 Millard Fillmore 505 To the Chevalier Hulsemann 494 To the Chevalier Hulsemann 495 D. Fletcher Webster. 506 Millard Fillmore. . . . 506 Millard Filhnore.... 506 LETTERS FROM DANIEL WEBSTER 763 Date Sent to Page 18S1 ^ Dec. 29. Abbott Lawrence. . .507 Dec. 31. William C. Rives. . .508 1852 Jan. 11. Porter Wright 749 Jan. 15. Charles J. McCurdy.497 Jan. 18. Abbott Lawrence. .. 513 Feb. 6. Mon. de Sartiges. . .511 Feb. 7. Joseph B. Varnum, Jr 512 Feb. 26. FrankUn Haven 514 Feb. 27. Millard Fillmore 515 Mar. 5. Peter Harvey 516 Apr. 9. G. A. Tavenner 521 Apr. 30. C. J. McCurdy 523 May — . D. Fletcher Webster. 524 June 1. Porter Wright 685 June 9. Porter Wright 685 June 11. J. J. Chittenden... .637 June 1 1. Millard Fillmore 531 July 4. Fletcher Webster... 5 32 July 4. Edward Curtis 533 July 5. Charles A. Stetson.. 533 July 8. Millard Filhnore 533 July 1 3. John Stimpson 534 July 23. Benjamin C. Clark.. 71 7 July 25. Mrs. D. Fletcher Webster 505 July 26. A. C. Kingsland .... 637 . D. Fletcher Webster.605 . D. Fletcher Webster. 5 06 . Mrs. Fletcher Web- ster 606 Date 1852 Aug. 2. Aug. 4. Aug. 10. Aug. 15. Aug. 22. Sept. 17. Sept. 25. Sept. 28. Oct. 8. Oct. 10. Oct. 12. Oct. 13. Oct. 20. Year not known May 11. Jan. 6. Feb. 28. Mar. 2. Mar. 24. Apr. 20. Aug. 27. Sept. 30. Nov. 7. Dec. 6. Sent to Page Mrs. Fletcher Web- ster 606 Mrs. Caroline Web- ster 607 D. Fletcher Webster. 607 D. Fletcher Webster.608 C. (.?)C. Felton....637 Millard Fillmore 535 D. Fletcher Webster.536 J. L. Petigru 536 D. Fletcher Webster.537 Hiram Noyes 638 Edward P. Little ... 638 Le Roy Pope et al. . 539 George Griswold. . .732 Rev. Savage 639 M. H. Grinnell 541 M. H. Grinnell et al.54-1 Mr. Hatch 543 David Tomlinson . . . 684 John Taylor 687 John Taylor 687 D. Fletcher Webster.687 D. Fletcher Webster.733 D. Fletcher Webster. 734 D. A. Hall 640 Porter Wright 689 John Taylor 688 Porter Wright 688 Porter Wright 688 D. Fletcher Webster.749 D. Fletcher Webster.733 LETTERS TO DANIEL WEBSTER Date 1804 July 12. Oct. 6. Dec. 21. Dec. 21. 1805 Jan. 18. May 23. 1809 Mar. 13 1811 June 26. 1813 Apr. 20. Dec. 28. Dec. — . 1814 Oct. 29. 1822 Jan. 1. Jan. 28. Oct. 18. 1823 Feb. 10. Dec. 15. 1824 Apr. 11. May 4. June 6. June 6. Dec. 4. Dec. 6. Dec. 9. Dec. 11. Dec. 13. Dec. 19. Dec. 29. Dec. 31. From Page Jacob McGaw 15 Mehitable Webster.. 14 Sally Webster 17 Ebenezer Webster . . 18 Judson Dana 23 Ezekiel Webster ... 22 Geo. Herbert 25 Samuel Sparhawk . . 26 Geo. Herbert 27 Mr. Waldron 48 Mr. Lawrence 49 Mr. Ezekiel Webster 52 Daniel Fletcher Webster 545 Ezekiel Webster ... 89 Henry Baldwin .... 84 T. H. Perkins et al. . 90 Ezekiel Webster ... 91 C. W. Greene '. . 546 William Gaston 107 H. A. Dearborn 104 Mrs. Grace Webster . 548 Mrs. Grace Webster. 549 Mrs. Grace Webster. 549 Mrs. Grace Webster . 550 Mrs. Grace Webster . 551 Mrs. Grace Webster. 551 Mrs. Grace Webster . 551 James W. Paige .... 552 Mrs. Grace Webster . 553 Mrs. Grace Webster. 553 Date 1825 Jan. 1. Jan. 7. Jan. 12. Jan. 14. Jan. 18. Jan. 20. Jan. 24. Jan. 26. Jan. 31. Feb. 3. Feb. 5. Feb. 8. Feb. 10. Feb. 11. Feb. 14. Feb. 17. Feb. 18. Feb. 21. Feb. 24. Feb. 25. Mar. 1. Mar. 5. Mar. 9. Mar. 10. 1828 (?) Apr. — . July 19. 182T Jan. 16. Jan. 17. Jan. 21. Jan. 29. Feb. 5. Feb. 10. Feb. 15. Feb. 16. Mar. 8. Dec. 10. From Mrs. Grace Webster. 554 Mrs. Grace Webster . 554 Mrs. Grace Webster . 555 Mrs. Grace Webster. 556 Mrs. Grace Webster . 556 Mrs. Grace Webster . 557 Mrs. Grace Webster . 558 Mrs. Grace Webster . 557 ' Mrs. Grace Webster. 558 Mrs. Grace Webster. 559 Mrs. Grace Webster. 559 Mrs. Grace Webster . 559 Mrs. Grace Webster . 560 Mrs. Grace Webster. 560 Mrs. Grace Webster. 561 Mrs. Grace Webster . 561 Mrs. Grace Webster .562 Mrs. Grace Webster . 562 Mrs. Grace Webster. 563 Thomas H. Benton .112 Mrs. Grace Webster. 563 Mrs. Grace Webster . 564 D. Fletcher Webster.565 Mrs. Grace Webster . 565 Henry Clay 118 Timothy Pickering. . 695 Mrs. Grace Webster . 566 Mrs. Grace Webster . 566 Mrs. Grace Webster . 566 Mrs. Grace Webster. 567 Mrs. Grace Webster . 567 Mrs. Grace Webster. 567 Mrs. Grace Webster. 568 Mrs. Grace Webster . 568 Mrs. Grace Webster . 569 Joshua Phillips 131 764 LETTERS TO DANIEL WEBSTER 765 Date 1828 Jan. 27. Jan. 29. Mar. 13. Mar. 25. Apr. 20. May 11. July 16. July 24. Oct. 1. 1829 Jan. 31. Apr. 16. July 8. 1830 Jan. 1. Jan. 26. Feb. 1. Feb. 5. Feb. 12. Mar. 8. Mar. 23. Apr. 17. Apr. 20. May 14. May 15. Aug. 28. 1831 Jan. 3. Feb. 6. Aug. 7. Oct. 24. 1832 Jan. 4. Jan. 4. Jan. 5. Jan. 8. Feb. 25. Mar. 11. Apr. 21. June 27. From Page Jeremiah Mason. . . . 572 Jeremiah Mason. ... 131 Lafayette 574 Robert B. Campbell. 137 D. Fletcher Webster.574 D. Fletcher Webster. 574 Thomas Rich 6l4 Lafayette 6l4 Jacob McGaw 736 Ezekiel Webster ... 141 Jeremiah Mason. . . .616 William Wirt 6l7 Eliza Buckminster Lee 576 Edward Everett 146 Isaac Munroe 147 H. A. Dearborn 147 J. W. Scott 148 Robert Walsh 148 D. Fletcher Webster. 15 1 Joseph D. Story . . 153 Thos. H. Benton.. .157 Mrs. Caroline Web- ster 579 Ralph Randolf Gur- ley 738 Samuel B. Wallcot. . 580 D. Fletcher Webster. 5 80 D. Fletcher Webster.58 1 Stephen White l6l Ambrose Spencer. . . l64 Thomas H. Benton . l69 Thomas H. Benton . l69 Thomas H. Benton .170 Thomas H. Benton. 172 D. Fletcher Webster.58 1 D. Fletcher Webster.58 2 D. Fletcher Webster. 573 Abraham Van Vech- ten 174 Date 1832 Aug. 27. Dec. 31. 1833 Jan. 1. Jan. 22. Feb. 25. Aug. 12. Aug. 12. Aug. 12. 1834 Dec. 24. 1835 Jan. 18. Feb. 28. Aug. 14. 1836 Feb. 24. Nov. 20. 1837 Feb. 24. Apr. 5. Dec. 28. 1838 Sept. 6. Sept. 13. Sept. 26. 1839 Mar. 25. June 23. June 24. 1840 Jan. 20. Mar. 2. Mar. 16. Apr. 16. June 30. 1841 Jan. 26. Apr. 2. July 20. Oct. 11. Dec. 18. From Page Henry Clay 176 Mrs. Caroline Web- ster 584 Mrs. Caroline Web- ster 585 D. Fletcher Webster. 585 SUas Wright 179 Rufiis Choate 184 H. A. Dearborn 185 H. A. Dearborn 186 D. Fletcher Webster.588 H. W. Kinsman 190 D. Fletcher Webster.589 Wm. W. Stone et al. 196 Thomas G. Pratt.. .204 Samuel Houston . . . 209 D. Fletcher Webster. 209 D. Fletcher Webster. 2 1 D. Fletcher Webster.665 Nicholas Biddle 213 Edward Webster. . .598 D. Fletcher Webster.667 E. Phinney 668 Lewis Cass 218 Charles Sumner 219 N. Ray Thomas 623 Mrs. Sidney Smith.. 628 James B. Longacre .148 D. Fletcher Webster.221 D. Fletcher Webster. 600 D. Fletcher Webster.223 Chas. Francis Adams. 22 8 John Tyler 231 Washington Irving. . 232 John Tyler 234 John Tyler 239 Thurlow Weed 248 766 CHRONOLOGICAL INDEX Date 1849 Jan. 2. Jan. 12. Feb. 12. Mar. 26. Apr. 19. July 19. July 31. Aug. 1. Aug. 8. Sept. 28. 1843 Jan. 2. Feb. — . 1845 June 5. Sept. 11. Nov. 26. 1846 Jan. — . Mar. 12. Apr. 21. Apr. 30. July — . July 6. July 13. 1847 Jan. 14. Mar. 17. Nov. 10. Dec. 8. 1848 Feb. 1. Feb. 23. Apr. 2. May 2. 1849 May 8. May 30. 1850 Jan. 9. Jan. 9. Mar. 13. Mar. 25. Apr. 26. May 5. From Page Lord Ashbutton 252 Lady Ashburton .... 254 Reuel Williams 258 Joseph Story 263 Joseph Story 267 Isaac C. Bates 272 Lord Ashburton. . . . 272 John Tyler 273 John Tyler 274 R. B. Mintum et al. 278 Lord Ashburton .... 283 John Tyler 285 John C. Spencer ... 30 1 Nathan Appleton . . . 63 1 Henry Wheaton 303 Lord Ashburton .... 308 John Tyler 310 John Tyler 317 Francis O. J. Smith.318 Spencer Jamagin. ..342 Edward Everett 331 James Kent 333 Sherrod Williams. . . 345 Edward Webster. . .354 Edward Webster. . .359 Edward Webster. . .360 B. B. Tibbs 36l Julia Webster Apple- ton 604 Chas. W. March .... 363 Millard Filhnore ... 364 D. Fletcher Webster.380 R. B. Forbes 715 W. H. Fumess 389 Chas. W. March 390 Calvin Hitchock 403 T. H. Perkins et al.A06 Richard Rush 411 Thomas G. Clemson.411 Date From Page 1850 July 27. Mr. Hulsemann 477 Oct. 4. Wm. Hunter 452 Oct. 15. Wm. Hunter 452 Oct. 23. Millard Fillmore 436 Oct. 28. Millard Filhnore . . .430 1851 Jan. 12. John M. Clayton. . .452 Jan. 16. Millard Filhnore.. . .456 Feb. 24. Nathaniel Sawyer. . . 3 Mar. 18. Lewis Cass 461 Mar. 20 M. R. Brenner et al.A62 Apr. 7- William Sweatt 545 Apr. 18. Francis Brinley 472 Apr. 19. H. A. Dearborn 472 Apr. 21. Henry B. Rogers e< a/. 47 3 May 5. Hiram Ketcham .... 474 June 21. J. C. Spencer 482 June 21. Chas. W. March 480 June 27. Fletcher Webster. ..483 July 28. Charles Stetson 486 Sept. 30. Mr. Hulsemann 487 Oct. 3. Wm. W. Stoiy 635 Oct. 3. Wm. W. Story 636 Nov. 4. Mr. Hulsemann .... 490 Nov. 14. Chas. W. March 501 Nov. 15. Chevalier Hulse- mann 490 Nov. 23. Chas. W. March 501 Nov. 29. Fletcher Webster. . . 503 Dec. 2. Chas. W. March 504 Dec. 13. Mr. Hulsemann 491 Dec. 17. Chevalier Hulse- 1859 mann 495 Apr. 8. Chas. W. March 517 Apr. 8. G. A. Tavenner 520 Apr. 12. Chas. W. March,. . .518 May 2. John Taylor 684 May 20. Millard Fillmore 527 June 29. Chas. A. Stetson 532 July 14. Chas. W. March (.?).534 Aug. 2. C. C. Felton 637 Sept. 16. John Taylor 686 Sept. 24. W. H. Grinnell et al.. 537 Oct. 9. Moses H. Grinnell . . 540 Oct. 10. Richard J. Mapes.. .539 MISCELLANEOUS Date Subject Page July, 1802. An Oration 7 Apr. 18, 1805. Review of the First Canto of the Terrible Tracto- ration 19 Dec. 9, 1814. An Unpublished Speech 56 Dec. 1, 1816. Grace Webster to James W. Paige 72 Dec. 14, 1816. Grace Webster to James W. Paige 73 Jan. 3, 1824. Mrs. Grace Webster to Daniel Fletcher Webster. 547 Jan. 16, 1824. Mrs. Grace Webster to D. Fletcher Webster 547 Mar. 13, 1824. Mrs. Grace Webster to D. Fletcher Webster 548 Feb. 25, 1825. Memorandum 112 Aug. 22, 1825. Mrs. Grace Webster to James W. Paige 711 Sept. 5, 1826. Mrs. Grace Webster to James W. Paige 712 Sept. 6, 1826. Mrs. Grace Webster to James W. Paige 712 Dec. 2, 1827. Mrs. Grace Webster to James W. Paige 569 Mar. 25, 1828. Robert B. Campbell to John Randolph 138 Summer, 1828. George Tichnor to Prescott 713 Feb., 1829. Memorandum 142 Feb. 16, 1831. Speech at Sunday School Meeting 739 • Memorandum 174 • 1832. Seeds and Plants from Mr. Pierce's. . . : 645 June 20, 1832. Sheep Marks 654 1 833. Provisions 646 About June 1, 1833 (.?). Objects 185 Nov., 1836. D. Webster's First Will 593 Mar. 23, 1838. Extract from Speech in Senate 397 Mar. 10, 1839. Memorandum 215 Apr. . A Scheme for the Settlement of the Northern Boundary 215 July 10, 1 839. Memorandum 220 Nov. 8, 1839. Memorandum upon Farming in England 647 Aug. 22, 1840. Extract from Diary of James Kent 744 Dec. 3, 1840. The Next Senate 226 Sept. 25, 1841. Editorial on Writing Letters to the President. . . 237 Sept 25' 1841. The Ex-Members Publications Abbreviated 238 Dec. — , 1841. The Message 242 Dec 1841. (i") A Message Prepared for the President Tyler ■ ' on the Tariff 245 Jan. — , 1842. The Exchequer. 249 Extract 290 767 768 CHRONOLOGICAL INDEX Date Subject Page Extract 290 1845. Remarks on Education 699 Mar. 23, 1846. William Seward to R. M. Blatchford 311 May 27, 1846. By Peleg Sprague 318 1846. Memorandum on the Ingersoll Charges 319 A Proposed Retraction by Mr. Ingersoll 322 Hon. R. C. Schenck's Statement in Regard to Mr. Ingersoll 324 May 8, 1846. Francis O. J. Smith to Fletcher Webster. 324 Memorandum 341 • Speech of August 12, 1848 399 Memorandum for Fanning 1848 650 May 1, 1849. Memorandum 386 Notes of March 7, Speech 393 Nov. 5, 1849. Mr. Schwarzenberg to Mr. Hulsemann 454 Mar. 15, 1850. Edward Curtis to Peter Harvey. 404 Mar. 22, 1850. Edward Curtis to Peter Harvey. 406 Mar. 28, 1850. Edward Curtis to Peter Harvey 407 Apr. 12, 1850. Q) Edward Curtis to Peter Harvey (?) 408 Apr. 21, 1850. Edward Curtis to Peter Harvey 409 May 30, 1850. Edward Curtis to Peter Harvey 414 June 17, 1850. Daniel Webster Toast 418 July 11, 1850. Memorandum 420 July 15, 1850. D. Fletcher Webster to Peter Harvey 419 Aug. 16, 1850. Edward Curtis to Peter Harvey ■. . . . 425 Nov. 3, 1850. Memorandum for Mr. Taylor. 651 Nov. 8, 1850. Memorandum for Cattle 652 Farming for 1851 651 Mar. 22, 1851. Hiram Ketcham to Peter Harvey 463 Apr. — , 1851. Rufiis Choate to Geo. Lunt, District Attorney . . 465 Apr. 12, 1851. G. J. Abbott to Edward Everett 702 Apr. 17, 1851. Resolutions of the Boston Common Council.. . . . 471 May 28, 1851. (?) Observations upon Mr. Le Roy's Farm 660 June 12, 1851. Correction of a Translation 701 Dec. 22, 1851. Mr. Webster's lines on Foote at Mr. Barney's Dinner at Walkers 636 1 852. Mr. Webster on Farming 644 Jan. 8, 1852. Hulsemann to President Fillmore 496 1852. G. J. Abbot Q) to Peter Harvey 5l6 Apr. 12, 1852. Hiram Ketcham (?) to Peter Harvey (?) 523 May 4, 1852. Edward Curtis (?) to Peter Harvey 524 May 9, 1852. D. Fletcher Webster to Peter Harvey 526 May 10, 1852. Hiram Ketcham to Peter Harvey 526 May 25, 1852. Edward Curtis to Peter Harvey (?) 529 MISCELLANEOUS ^69 Date Subject Page June — , 1852. Webster's interview with Chas. A. Stetson 531 June 14, 1852. Memorandum 530 Oct. 11, 1852. G. J. Abbott to Peter Harvey 540 Oct. 21, ] 852. Memorandum dictated by Daniel Webster 542 Oct. 25, 1853. Mr. Abbott to Mr. Fillmore 543 Memo for Mr. Doncaster 649 Duke of Portland's Water Meadows 649 Plan of Farming 654-659 History of Washington Administration 705 Memorandum 503 Apr. 12, 1854. G. J. Abbott to Edward Everett 702 Apr. 13, Extract 449 Apr. 22, 1854. G. J. Abbott to D. Fletcher Webster 449 May 3, 1854. Wm. Hunter to D. Fletcher Webster 449 May 8, 1854. Edward Everett to D. Fletcher Webster 451 SiBI III! i