Charles L. Vose and Others to Senator Daniel Webster, March 28, 1850

New York, March 28, 1850.

DEAR SIR,—In behalf of our fellow-citizen, Mr. Geo. W. Egleston, now in California, we transmit to you a golden chain, manufactured under his direction, from the mineral products of that portion of our country, and which he desires to present to you, as a fitting symbol of that glorious Union, of which you stand preeminently the ablest defender.

As sons of New England, and merchants of New York, we ask leave to unite in this testimony of respect, by appending to it the accompanying token, which we beg you to accept as an evidence of our high sense of the patriotism and ability which have marked your whole public career, and never more conspicuously than in your recent speech in the Senate, which maintains so strikingly the necessity of fraternal feeling between the different sections of our common country, and the solemn duty of adhering faithfully to the provisions and the spirit of the national constitution.

With high regards, we remain your friends,

CHARLES L. VOSE,

GEORGE GRISWOLD,

MOSES H. GRINNELL,

CALEB BARSTOW,

JOHN THOMAS,

ALFRED G. BENSON,

JOSEPH HOXIE,

PAUL SPOFFORD,

THOMAS TILESTON,

J. W. ALSOP, JR.,

HENRY CHAUNCEY,

GEORGE WARREN,

S. J. BEALS,

DAVIS, BROOKS, AND CO.

To the Honorable DANIEL WEBSTER, Washington, D. C.

_______________

NOTE.

On the slide of the chain, referred to in the foregoing letter, is engraved on one side the following inscription:

"To the Honorable DANIEL WEBSTER, the Defender of the Constitution, and the Advocate of the Union."

On the other side:

"From G. W. Egleston, manufactured by Woodruff & Addison, San Francisco, California, Sept. 29, 1849."

On the inner case of the watch are engraved the names of the donors.

SOURCE: Fletcher Webster, Editor, The Private Correspondence of Daniel Webster, Vol. 2, p. 361