Boston, August 6, 1851.
MY DEAR SIR,—Your
letter of the 2d was only received yesterday; it was directed to New York,
whither the newspapers had sent me, but whither I had not gone myself.
If one trusts the
newspapers, he can hardly be sure of his own whereabouts.
I shall see Mr.
Letcher. It is probably a very good time to buy off our obligations under the
treaty of Hidalgo. There is danger, however, that, if this should be done, the
money will all go to the creditors of Mexico, leaving her as incapable as she
now is of defending her frontiers. Our own territories are interested in this
defence against the Indians. Can we trust Mexico? I shall, of course, converse
freely with Mr. Letcher on this point, and shall write you.
I am quite content
that Mr. ——— should go to China, and do not see how we can do better.
As to the district
attorney, I am quite willing that the gentleman you mention should be
appointed. For myself, I comply strictly with the regimen of Dr. Croes. Thus
far, I get on pretty well. I did not think of going to Newport, because the
climate of Newport is exactly that of Marshfield, while Newport is filled up by
crowds of people, whereas Marshfield is quite secluded. To-morrow I think of
going to New Hampshire, hardly so much for a change of air, as to look after
some private affairs. In general, I find that those affected by my complaint
avoid the interior, and come to the coast. But this is not universal.
There is no
political news of interest here. A very unusual money panic exists both here and
in New York.
I shall write you,
my dear Sir, frequently, as at Capon Springs, until I hear of your movement
further South. There is a telegraphic station at Franklin, New Hampshire, where
I am going. But I shall be there for so short a period, that I had better be
addressed at Boston.
I am, my dear Sir,
as always, very truly yours,
DAN'L WEBSTER.
SOURCE: Fletcher
Webster, Editor, The Private Correspondence of Daniel Webster, Vol.
2, p. 461
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