Washington,
Wednesday, August 7, 1850.
MY DEAR SIR,—I
received your letter this morning. I do most fervently hope that Mr. Fearing
will come to Congress. We need him. I am tired of standing up here, almost
alone from Massachusetts, contending for practical measures, absolutely
essential to the good of the country. All must see that it cannot but be
disagreeable to me to struggle day after day, and waste my health, in the
Senate or in the Department, to bring about a settlement of national
difficulties, and yet have no Massachusetts following. I will not say I am
altogether alone; Mr. Ashmun is acting a very proper and a vigorous part; I
rely on him entirely. And I hope that a better feeling is beginning to inspire
others of the members; but there has not been one of them as yet, who has
ventured to stand up and say that he would stand by me, or my principles, or my
views of policy. This is disagreeable and mortifying; although instead of
discouraging me, it only puts me up to greater efforts to maintain myself, and
to defend my position. I feel that something has been accomplished by my feeble
efforts, aided or unaided; and if ever Massachusetts should leave me altogether
without succor or encouragement from her, there will be no fainting in my
heart, no slackening of my exertions. But if Mr. Fearing would come here, I
should feel that I had a friend near me, free and independent, above all
pledges and commitments, and having a single eye to the great good of the
country.
Coming fresh from Boston,
since these great measures have been under discussion, he would have great
weight, and with Mr. Ashmun's assistance, might exercise a salutary influence
with other representatives. He will be able to speak for Boston, and her voice
is wont to be respected.
I thank you for the
kindness expressed in other parts of your letter. I am busy enough, but my
health is good, and I hope I may yet live to see the return of a better state
of things.
I am, dear Sir, with
regard,
SOURCE: Fletcher
Webster, Editor, The Private Correspondence of Daniel Webster, Vol.
2, p. 382-3
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