Washington, June 7, 1850.
DEAR SIR,—I promised to give you the remarks which were made in relation
to yourself by our lamented friend Mr. Calhoun. As they were in a social
conversation in his room, I would not have repeated them, but for the fact that
there had been placed before the public a statement which, although materially
true, does not convey what I had frequently supposed him to mean whilst
referring to yourself and other individuals, with whom he had been associated
in public life. In more than one conversation, he was induced by questions
proposed by those present, to speak of the statesmen who had mingled in those
scenes which are so remarkable in the history of the country. When your name
was mentioned, he remarked that "Mr. Webster has as high a standard of
truth as any statesman with whom I have met in debate. Convince him, and he
cannot reply; he is silenced; he cannot look truth in the face and oppose it by
argument. I think that it can be readily perceived by his manner when he felt
the unanswerable force of a reply."
He often spoke of you in my presence, and always kindly and most
respectfully. It was due to the memory of our friend as well as to yourself,
that this communication should be made.
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