Daniel Webster

Daniel Webster (January 18, 1782 – October 24, 1852) was an important American statesman. He first became famous because of his defense of New England shipping interests. In his life, he became more and more nationalistic, and convinced many people to become nationalists too. This made Webster one of the most famous orators and powerful Whig leaders of the Second Party System. Webster did not like slavery, but he thought it was more important for the Union (the United States) to stay together than anything else.

Daniel Webster
Daguerreotype of Senator Webster circa 1847
14th United States Secretary of State
In office March 6, 1841 – May 8, 1843
President	William Henry Harrison John Tyler
Preceded by	John Forsyth
Succeeded by	Abel P. Upshur
19th United States Secretary of State
In office July 23, 1850 – October 24, 1852
President	Millard Fillmore
Preceded by	John M. Clayton
Succeeded by	Edward Everett
United States Senator from Massachusetts
In office June 8, 1827 – February 22, 1841
Preceded by	Elijah H. Mills
Succeeded by	Rufus Choate
In office March 4, 1845 – July 22, 1850
Preceded by	Rufus Choate
Succeeded by	Robert C. Winthrop
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts's 1st district
In office March 4, 1823 – May 30, 1827
Preceded by	Benjamin Gorham
Succeeded by	Benjamin Gorham
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Hampshire's At-large district
In office March 4, 1813 – March 3, 1817
Preceded by	George Sullivan
Succeeded by	Arthur Livermore
Personal details
Born	(1782-01-18)January 18, 1782 Salisbury, New Hampshire
Died	October 24, 1852(1852-10-24) (aged 70) Marshfield, Massachusetts
Political party	Federalist National Republican Whig
Spouse(s)	Grace Fletcher Webster Caroline LeRoy Webster
Alma mater	Dartmouth College
Profession	Politician, Lawyer
Signature

Webster became the northern member of a group known as the "Great Triumvirate". They included his colleagues Henry Clay from the west and John C. Calhoun from the south. His "Reply to Hayne" in 1830 was generally seen as "the most eloquent (powerful, fluent, well-spoken) speech ever delivered in Congress." Webster tried to keep the nation from civil war, and make them have a firm peace. His efforts did not succeed, but he was still respected for them. He was officially named by the U.S. Senate in 1957 as one of its five best members.

Early life

Daniel was born on January 18, 1782. His parents were Ebenezer and Abigail Webster (née Eastman) in Salisbury, New Hampshire, now part of the city of Franklin. He and his nine siblings grew up on his parents' farm. Daniel Webster's great-great-grandfather was Thomas Webster (1631–1715). Thomas Webster was born in Ormesby St. Margaret, Norfolk, England and settled in New Hampshire. As Daniel was a "sickly (unhealthy) child", his family often let him have whatever he wanted and he didn't have to work on the farm.

Career

Daniel Webster became a lawyer and politician. He was elected to Congress as a Federalist. He supported free trade, opposed both Abolitionism and the expansion of slavery, and opposed the War of 1812 and other policies of the Democrats. When the Federalist Party declined, he joined with other former Federalists and National Democrats to form the Whig Party (United States). Always Webster supported the unity and harmony of the nation against various divisive schemes.

Daniel Webster Media

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  Coat of Arms of Daniel Webster

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  Photo by Craig Michaud.This is Daniel Webster's Birthplace in Salisbury, New Hampshire

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  Daniel Webster's home in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The home has since been restored and is now part of the Strawbery Banke museum complex.

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  Daniel Webster represented the Second Bank of the United States both in the Congress and before the US Supreme Court as well serving as Director of its Boston branch on which he made out this $3,001.01 draft on July 24, 1824.

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  1834 portrait by Francis Alexander

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  Portion of painting, Webster's Reply to Hayne by George P.A. Healy

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  1836 electoral vote results

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  Through the Webster–Ashburton Treaty, Webster helped bring an end to a boundary dispute in Maine

Other websites

• United States Congress. "Daniel Webster (id: W000238)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Daniel Webster at Find a Grave
• Works by Daniel Webster at Project Gutenberg

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by George Sullivan	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Hampshire's at-large congressional district 1813–1817	Succeeded by Arthur Livermore
Preceded by Benjamin Gorham	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts's 1st congressional district 1823–1827	Succeeded by Benjamin Gorham
United States Senate
Preceded by Elijah Mills	United States Senator (Class 1) from Massachusetts 1827–1841 Served alongside: Nathaniel Silsbee, John Davis	Succeeded by Rufus Choate
Preceded by Rufus Choate	United States Senator (Class 1) from Massachusetts 1845–1850 Served alongside: John Davis	Succeeded by Robert Winthrop
Political offices
Preceded by Samuel Smith	Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance 1833–1836	Succeeded by Silas Wright
Preceded by John Forsyth	U.S. Secretary of State Served under: William Henry Harrison, John Tyler 1841–1843	Succeeded by Abel Upshur
Preceded by John Clayton	U.S. Secretary of State Served under: Millard Fillmore 1850–1852	Succeeded by Edward Everett