Daniel Webster to Franklin Haven, June 22, 1851

[Washington,] Sunday morning. June 22, 1851.

MY DEAR SIR,—It had been my intention to leave Washington for Boston to-morrow, but when it was determined that the corner-stone of the addition to the Capitol should be laid on the Fourth of July, a strong wish was expressed that I should be here on that occasion. I objected to this, but the President seemed to think it important, and I consented. He thought I could make my visit and return in season, but I thought the interval too short, and therefore concluded to stay hereabout till after the Fourth, and then immediately go North, with a pretty good chance for a long visit. The President has gone to Virginia with Mr. Stuart and Mr. Hall, and will probably return at the end of this week, or on Monday of next. In the mean time I think of a little excursion or two into the country; shall probably go to Harper's Ferry where I never was, and to Winchester, and its neighborhood.

My address on the Fourth, will be quite short and general, or may be altogether omitted if the weather should be bad. The

Albany speech is well under way. It will make a handsome pamphlet, though not very long. The Buffalo speech, as it appears in the Intelligencer of yesterday, is pretty well corrected.

If any thing important should come to hand by the mail of to-day or to-morrow, I shall write you again. On Tuesday, I think Mrs. Webster and myself shall go up to the Shenandoah, in the cars. If in any of the mountain streams near Winchester I should happen to take a trout, I shall wish that you were present to take another.

I am, dear Sir, always and everywhere, yours truly,

DAN'L WEBSTER.

SOURCE: Fletcher Webster, Editor, The Private Correspondence of Daniel Webster, Vol. 2, pp. 445-6

Daniel Webster to Millard Fillmore, July 20, 1851

Marshfield, July 20, 1851.

MY DEAR SIR, — The despatches for Mr. Severance were mailed and forwarded to the Department for your consideration and final disposition.

To-day I am giving attention to the Mexican treaty, the Indians, &c., but I am deficient in materials from the Indian department, probably on account of Mr. Lea's absence.

I am gaining in health and strength, but rather more slowly than I could wish. The truth is, the attack at Harrisburg, in April, has never been quite overcome; and the fatigues and the necessary labor and effort connected with the Fourth of July may well enough account for this. I have been here now one week, and feel decidedly improved, and pass a great part of every fair day out of doors, generally on the sea; and despatch affairs which must be despatched only in the morning. More than half the time I have dined in the boat, on cold meat and bread.

But, then, the great question, and the thing now most to be dreaded, is the catarrh, which the next month has not failed to bring with it for so many years. In regard to this, I have adopted some new views and opinions arising out of a letter from the Reverend Mr. Croes, New Brunswick, New Jersey, a copy of which I enclose with this letter. I am persuaded that voyages and journeys cannot be relied on with any confidence; nor any change of air, nor the waters of any spring. I have laid Mr. Croes's letter before Dr. Jackson of Philadelphia, who has adopted its general ideas, and put me on a course of medicine, to be begun now, and rigidly adhered to till the day for the regular attack of the disease shall come. He adds iodate of iron to the hydriodate of potash. I begin the course this day; and propose to remain here, unless I should some time hence go as far as Maine and Vermont, for general recreation, or unless I should be summoned to Washington, which I hope may not happen for the present. I shall keep a clerk here, and attend to every thing sent by Mr. Derrick, and especially every thing suggested by you. I keep out of Boston, and out of all crowds. Mrs. Webster proposes to go to Saratoga, the Falls, &c., with her brother, Mr. William Le Roy, and family, setting out about the 5th of August. As I shall hardly be a house. keeper in her absence, I shall escape much rush of company.

I send with this a gratifying note from Mr. Campbell of Charleston.

I see the Cuban news. If there is to be a revolution in that Island, I am glad our hands are free from stain. If the rebels make any progress, there will be serious work, as I suppose that both France and England are under a pledge to guarantee the Island to Spain. Our South will be all Cuban.

Yours, truly,

DAN’L WEBSTER.

P. S. I am very happy to see that Mr. Corwin is with you again.

[Enclosed in the foregoing.]

 

New Brunswick, N. J., July 15, 1851.

 

SIR, — As I can deeply sympathize with all who are distressed by attacks of catarrh or asthma, I take the liberty of stating to you, (having just read an article from The National Intelligencer, in which mention is made of your case,) that for years, in Indiana, I was affected with periodical attacks of the catarrh; that during my visit to the Virginia Springs, in 1850, it assumed the appearance of the "Hay Asthma;" that I tried the medicinal waters to be found in Virginia, and at Saratoga; that I crossed the Atlantic in the spring, for the purpose of making a sea voyage; and that I obtained little or no relief, until I was providentially directed to the hydriodate of potash, when a signal cure was effected.

 

The case was considered by physicians of this country and by Dr. Stokes of Dublin, an extraordinary case, and the rapid cure was certainly extraordinary. It would afford me pleasure to learn that one occupying the distinguished position that you do here, should receive relief. If you have not yet tried this invaluable medicine, it has occurred to me that possibly your physician would not object to your using it for a few weeks.

 

I am, Sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Rовт. В. CROES.

[Extract from a letter from Dr. Samuel Jackson of Philadelphia, enclosed in Mr. Webster's letter of 20th July, 1851.]

Your reliance must not be exclusively placed on the medicinal agents the instruments; for executing the plan of operations, and giving to it a full effect, you must assist yourself. I have to entreat you to avoid all exposures, fatigues, or whatever will disturb or debilitate your economy. Such an occurrence will almost ensure defeat.

SOURCE: Fletcher Webster, Editor, The Private Correspondence of Daniel Webster, Vol. 2, pP. 449-51

Daniel Webster to Millard Fillmore, July 21, 1851

Boston, July 21, 1851.

MY DEAR SIR, — I arrived here early on Saturday morning, and on inquiring for Mr. E. H. Allen, our consul at the Sandwich Islands, I learned that he was sick here of a brain fever, and too ill to be seen.

I went immediately to Nahant, where my brother-in-law, Mr. Paige, has a summer residence, and there passed Sunday, and on coming to town this morning have received your letter.

The Tehuantepec business is very important, and I am afraid we shall have a good deal of trouble with it. The object of the canal is very important, and we ought to do all that we can to facilitate it. Nevertheless, until we have a treaty, it does not become a Government matter, and if the parties concerned see fit to prosecute their plans, in defiance of Mexico, they must be regarded as acting at their own risk. I shall be very glad to see Mr. Benjamin. I doubt much whether there is to be an extra session of the Mexican Congress. It is quite clear that General Arista expected no such thing at the date of his letter, and I hardly know how Mr. Letcher can have received later information. Nevertheless, it may be that he has. I shall be ready to go to Washington on any summons.

Have the goodness to direct Mr. Derrick to telegraph me here, if occasion should arise, and the despatch will be sent to me by express wherever I may be. The despatch to Mr. Severance, our commissioner at Honolulu, will be ready, as soon as I receive our paper from the Department for which I wrote to-day. As the French frigate, and The Vandalia have both left the Islands, I do not expect any outbreak in that quarter immediately. But, still, I feel anxious that the communication of Mr. Severance should be on its way, as soon as possible.

I go to Mrs. Webster at Marshfield to-morrow morning. We do not propose to open our house on the usual scale, or to resume our customary establishment. Mrs. Webster thinks of going to Saratoga and Niagara with certain of her New York relations. I shall remain pretty much secluded at Marshfield, or in its neighborhood, seeking rest, and recovery of strength; but ready, nevertheless, to obey the shortest summons to Washington. I have avoided seeing people here as much as possible, and shall continue on that line of politics. Í trust, my dear Sir, that you will write me freely, and not hesitate to call for me, whenever you desire my presence.

I learned at New York that the story of my going to Europe, &c., got out through Mr., to whom, I suppose, Mr. Curtis or myself must have spoken on the subject. Friends here have been quite alarmed at any such idea, but their fears are quieted.

I am, my dear Sir, always truly yours,

DAN'L WEBSTER.

SOURCE: Fletcher Webster, Editor, The Private Correspondence of Daniel Webster, Vol. 2, pp. 451-2

Daniel Webster to Millard Fillmore, July 23, 1851

Marshfield, July 23, 1851.

MY DEAR SIR, — I thank you for giving me an opportunity of reading Kossuth's warm-hearted and admirable letter.

Having despatched Mr. Benjamin late last evening, I rose quite early this morning and went out upon the sea. The day has been delicious, and the sea air seems to give me new life and strength. I ate more dinner on board the boat (cold salted beef and bread) than I have eaten any day since I left Capon Springs. Fishing for cod, haddock, and halibut is a common and coarse amusement, which the connoisseurs in angling reject. I like it, however, as it gives me occupation while we are out for the benefit of the air and the ocean. I caught thirty codfish to-day, weighing from eight to twelve pounds each, and as the boatmen were also fortunate we brought home a fare which astonished our neighbors. They represented fish as very scarce at this season, as they retire in hot weather into deep water. I told them that I thought I should know where to look for fish.

I never saw Marshfield look so well as it does now; the crops are heavy, the lawns and pastures perfectly green, and the trees remarkably bright and glossy. There are several hundred thousands of trees here, which I have raised myself from the seeds; they are all arranged in avenues, copses, groves, long rows by the roads and fences, and some of them make beautiful and impenetrable thickets on hills which were mere sand hills when I came here. The herds and flocks are in fine order. Llamas from Peru feed in the pastures with the sheep. We have a little fresh-water lake, which is frequented not only by the ordinary ducks and geese, but by beautiful Canada geese or wild geese, which breed in retired places, but will always join their kindred in their emigrations, spring and fall, unless their wings are kept cropped. We have also China geese, India geese, and in short, the same birds from almost every quarter of the world. As to the poultry yard, there is no end to the varieties which my man has collected. I do not keep the run of half the names and breeds.

The situation of this place is rather peculiar. Back of us, inland, rises a large forest, in which one may hide himself, and find as odorous an atmosphere as among the pines of Maine. In front of us, a mile distant, is the sea, every mast visible over the beach bank, and all vessels visible, hulls as well as masts, from the chambers of the house. A drive of one mile and a half, almost entirely over my own farm, brings us to what is called Duxbury beach, a breadth of clean, white, hard sand, seven miles long, which forms at low water a favorite ride or drive in hot weather.

These, my dear Sir, are all trifles, and of course without much interest to any one but myself; but, I confess, that to me Marshfield is a charming place; perhaps one reason is that so many things about it which now appear handsome, are the result of my own attention. I sometimes try to read here, but can never get on, from a desire to be out of doors.

In. truth, I read nothing but my correspondence, and such official papers as it is my duty to peruse. I have found time to prepare the despatch to Mr. Severance, commissioner at the Sandwich Islands, and also a private letter of instructions.

When I left Boston yesterday, Mr. Allen was reported to be better, but there is no probability of his being able to return to his post for some time. When I say that the papers are prepared, I ought to have said that there remains in them one hiatus, to fill which I must wait for a paper from Washington. My dear Sir, you must have much leisure as well as patience, if you can get through this letter.

Yours, always truly,

DAN'L WEBSTER.

SOURCE: Fletcher Webster, Editor, The Private Correspondence of Daniel Webster, Vol. 2, pp. 452-4

Congressman Moses H. Grinnell to John J. Crittenden, February 22, 1854

NEW YORK, February 22, 1854.

MY DEAR SIR,—I was delighted this morning on taking up the Enquirer to see that you have taken a bold stand on the right side in reference to the Nebraska bill. You know that I am no abolitionist; but I do think this scheme of Douglas the most villainous one ever presented to Congress. In my opinion any man who votes for the bill will be politically used up at the North. I rejoice (and I have heard the same sentiment from many others to-day) that you adhere to the same principles so long sustained by Clay and Webster. The great American public will sustain you in the support of principles so sound and just. Excuse the liberty I have taken in saying this. It is just what I feel, and I am like ninety in a hundred on this subject in this community.

Yours truly,

M. H. GRINNELL

Hon. J. J. Crittenden.

SOURCE: Ann Mary Butler Crittenden Coleman, Editor, The Life of John J. Crittenden: With Selections from His Correspondence and Speeches, Vol. 2, p. 101

Congressman Horace Mann, 1852

DANSVILLE, N. Y., 1852.

I have seen only the most meagre account of D——'s and R——'s speeches. I do not see how D—— can come out without being battered and shattered to pieces. Nor ought he to. I think he has been false to great principles, though with such palliations as apostates always find. I think posterity does not look at crimes as the traitors themselves do. With the latter it may not be unmitigated and untempted crime. They have their excuses, their subterfuges, and their casuistry. Görgey doubtless disguised his treason to himself under some plea of benefit to his nation. It is a known fact, that Arnold stoutly contended that he desired to confer a benefit on his country as the motive of his treachery. Judas probably made himself believe that the interests of religion demanded the surrender of his Master. Even Mr. Webster talks to this day as if, in sacrificing the immortal principles of liberty, he had only the good of the Union in view. But when the occasion has passed by, when the event is far removed into the past, then the palliations and the pretexts are lost sight of; and only the black, fatal, damning guilt remains for the detestation and abhorrence of men.

SOURCE: Mary Tyler Peabody Mann, Life of Horace Mann, p. 357

Senator Charles Sumner to John Bigelow, March 2, 1852

Congress and all the world have a vacation to-day to quaff fresh air, sunshine, and champagne on board the 'Baltic.'¹ I voted for the adjournment, but did not care to put myself in the great man-trap set especially for members of Congress. I see nothing certain in the Presidential horizon. In all my meditations I revert with new regret to the attempted reconciliation in '49 in your State. Without that we should now control the free States.

I read carefully and enjoyed much Mr. Bryant's address.² It was a truthful, simple, and delicate composition, and, much as I value sculpture and Greenough, I cannot but add will be a more durable monument to Cooper than any other. Webster's historical article was crude and trite enough.

_______________

¹ Of the Collins line of steamships, whose owners were then seeking a subsidy.

²  On J. Fenimore Cooper, Feb. 25, 1852, at a meeting of which Mr. Webster was chairman, called to raise funds for a monument to the novelist. Sumner's reply to the invitation to attend the meeting is printed in his Works, vol. iii. p. 43.

SOURCE: Edward L. Pierce, Memoir and Letters of Charles Sumner, Vol. 3, p. 279

Daniel Webster to Richard M. Blatchford, May 1851

[May.] Albany, Tuesday evening, six o'clock.

MY DEAR SIR,—I arrived here at four o'clock, received your letter, and have dispatched the Boston papers.

I have also written to Washington to provide for the matter there, until I see you. In tantis laboribus magnis, in quibus sesemens mea penitus agitat, rerum non sum oblitus parvorum.¹

I hope this is pretty good Latin; if not, it is at least good English, to say that I am always, with most sincere regard, your obliged friend and obedient servant,

DAN'L WEBSTER.

_______________

¹ Translation: Amid such great labors, in which my mind is deeply troubled, I have not forgotten the small things.

SOURCE: Fletcher Webster, Editor, The Private Correspondence of Daniel Webster, Vol. 2, p. 438

Daniel Webster to Edward Curtis, Tuesday, two o’clock, 1851

Tuesday, two o’clock, 1851

My Dear Sir,—

*          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *

I am glad you think me right in keeping away from New York for the present. I am resolved not to commit either the Government or myself, in any degree, to the extravagant expесtations entertained in regard to what may be done.

When may we look for you? Fletcher left us this morning. Mr. Ashmun has been here for a day, and leaves to-morrow morning. We long to see you and Mrs. Curtis.

You perceive the Kossuth movement was checked a little, in the House of Representatives, yesterday. Probably it will go on to-day.

For two hours I have been reading the Report of the United States officers, who have returned from Utah. I never read so disgusting and terrific accounts of human depravity, and enormities. Governor Young has more than thirty wives! All the money sent to him for territorial purposes, he has given to the Mormon Church! But these things are not the beginning of the story of abominations.

Yours ever,

D. W.

SOURCE: Fletcher Webster, Editor, The Private Correspondence of Daniel Webster, Vol. 2, p. 439

Daniel Webster to Richard M. Blatchford, May 2, 1851

Washington, May 2, 1851.

MY DEAR SIR,—I was rejoiced to receive your letter yesterday, signifying that your health was better. We shall look out for Ellen till she comes.

It is very cold weather. The mercury this morning was as low as 35°, at five o'clock. I fear for the fruit-trees. At present, I am busy with Mexico, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.

My wagon is a treasure. Morning or evening I get a drive in it, every day. If it had not been so cold, I was to have driven down to the Seines to-day, to witness for an hour or two, the drafts of rock fish, shad, sturgeon, &c., &c. As it is, I shall keep over the fire.

Yours truly,

DAN'L WEBSTER.

SOURCE: Fletcher Webster, Editor, The Private Correspondence of Daniel Webster, Vol. 2, pp. 439-40

Daniel Webster to Richard M. Blatchford, May 4, 1851—8 a.m.

Washington, May 4, 1851, eight A. M.

MY DEAR SIR,—We have a great change in the weather, the mercury being now twenty-five degrees higher than yesterday morning at the same hour. The wind is south, and not unlikely to bring rain. There were frosts in various places in this neighborhood on the nights of the 2d and the 3d; but I think we shall now have summer upon us.

I am steadily engaged in my official duties, and make progress in some things which require despatch. There are but few people here, and it is a good time for work.

I have given up my professional engagements, both in New York and Boston. This has been done at a great sacrifice, three thousand dollars at least, but I felt it to be my duty. For the next two or three months I may calculate on good health, after which my annual visitation of "hay fever," or "catarrh," may render me incapable of doing much of any thing for the residue of the summer. I feel, therefore, that I owe it to my place, and to my duties, to let nothing interfere for the present with close attention to public affairs.

There never was a time, I think, in which our foreign relations were more quiet. There seems no disturbing breath on the surface. All the diplomatic gentlemen here are amicably disposed, and our intercourse is quite agreeable. I think Mr. Hülsemann is the most satisfied and happy of them all.

An hour hence I receive my mail, and then go to church, always expecting a good sermon from Dr. Butler.

By the way, if you would see something in the prophetic books of Scripture, remarkably applicable to our days, turn to the second chapter of Nahum, and the fourth verse.

Yours, always truly,

DAN'L WEBSTER.

P. S. For something to remind you of telegraphic wires, see Job, xxxviii. 35.

SOURCE: Fletcher Webster, Editor, The Private Correspondence of Daniel Webster, Vol. 2, p. 441

Daniel Webster to Richard M. Blatchford, Monday, May 5, 1851—7 a.m.

Monday morning, seven o'clock, May 5, 1851.

MY DEAR SIR,—I was happy to find a short letter from you in my mail yesterday. As to the "especially special" letter to me from New York, I shall receive it with great gratitude and sincere respect, but I hope it will not be of a character to call me away immediately from my engagements here.

I shall look for you with hope and confidence, on Saturday morning, and trust you will bring some friend with you. There are two or three things I want to say to you, by word of mouth.

It is again wet and rainy, and the glass down to 40°, as disagreeable a morning as you would wish to see.

Yours, truly always,

DAN'L WEBSTER.

SOURCE: Fletcher Webster, Editor, The Private Correspondence of Daniel Webster, Vol. 2, p. 442

Daniel Webster to Edward Everett, Monday, May 6, 1851

Washington, May 6, 1851.

MY DEAR SIR,—I think of dedicating each volume to some friend. Would that look like affectation? Public men and scholars will be remembered by their works. Private friendships are forgotten. It has occurred to me, that I would dedicate the second volume to Isaac P. Davis, as a memorial of an uninterrupted friendship of forty years. What should you think of it? I have mentioned it to no one.

D. W.

SOURCE: Fletcher Webster, Editor, The Private Correspondence of Daniel Webster, Vol. 2, p. 442

Daniel Webster to Peter Harvey, Friday, May 9, 1851—7 a.m.

Washington, Friday morning, seven o'clock, May 9, 1851.

MY DEAR SIR,—I hope to meet some Boston friends in New York on Tuesday. Mr. Edward Curtis will be there, as well as others, and it may be a good time to confer. My own stay will be short, as we leave early the next morning. But I hope you, and whoever comes with you, may be able to stay a day or two. My letter to you expresses pretty much what I have to say on the subject. What remains must be left to friends.

Yours, truly,

DAN’L WEBSTER.

P. S. Of course, if any thing be attempted, Mr. Choate must be our standard-bearer.

SOURCE: Fletcher Webster, Editor, The Private Correspondence of Daniel Webster, Vol. 2, p. 443

Daniel Webster to Richard M. Blatchford, Sunday, May 11, 1851—1 p.m.

[May 11, 1851,] Sunday, one o'clock.

MY DEAR SIR,—I thank you for your letter from Philadelphia. I am well, and leave to-morrow morning, at six o'clock. I dread the journey awfully.

I see four elements of distress in it: 1. Heat. 2. Crowds. 3. Limestone water. 4. The necessity of speech-making.

This last is not the least, for I have exhausted my opinions and my thoughts, my illustrations and my imaginations; all that remains in my mind is as "dry as a remainder biscuit, after a voyage."

Your notion that no evil can come from this jaunt, cheers me; but still I feel a caving in at the prospect before me. But never mind. If I should not be remarkably foolish, nor remarkably unlucky, I shall not spoil all the past.

Yours,

D. W.

SOURCE: Fletcher Webster, Editor, The Private Correspondence of Daniel Webster, Vol. 2, p. 443

Daniel Webster to Caroline White Webster, May 20, 1851—9 p.m.

Buffalo, May 20, 1851, nine o'clock, P. M.

MY DEAR CAROLINE,—I am detained here, unavoidably, for two or three days beyond my expectation.

Fletcher has had his trunk packed, two or three times, for his departure for home, but when the time came, I did not feel that I could part with him. I have nobody else with me, and though well at present, I should be alarmed if I should get sick.

To-night he has got all things in readiness for going early in the morning; but I do not believe I should sleep an hour, under the consciousness that he was to leave in the morning. I must, my dear child, detain him a day or two longer, and you must try to forgive me for it. I have no travelling friend; no servant, or attendant, that I am acquainted with; and if Fletcher should go, I should feel absolutely desolate.

I have telegraphed to New York for somebody to meet me, and the moment I see a reliable and familiar face, I will give your husband my blessing, and let him depart.

Your affectionate father,

DAN'L WEBSTER.

SOURCE: Fletcher Webster, Editor, The Private Correspondence of Daniel Webster, Vol. 2, p. 444

Daniel Webster to Millard Fillmore, May 29, 1851

New York, May 29, 1851.

MY DEAR SIR,—I arrived from Albany this morning, having stayed two or three days at Canandaigua to recruit. Coming after you, I had infinite pleasure in hearing of the warmth of your reception everywhere, and of the highly favorable impression made by your visit. Your friends all think it has done great good. The enemy seems silenced, at least for the present. Every body, my dear Sir, speaks in just terms of the propriety of your speeches to the people, and of your excellent, acceptable, and honorable demeanor, in all respects; none more so, than some here with whom these strains are new. I hope to move South to-morrow.

Yours always truly,

DAN'L WEBSTER.

SOURCE: Fletcher Webster, Editor, The Private Correspondence of Daniel Webster, Vol. 2, p. 444

General William T. Sherman to Senator John Sherman, November 12, 1889

NEW YORK, Νον. 12, 1889.

Dear Brother: . . . I was very glad to receive your full letter of November 9th, to hear that you are safely back at your Washington home, and take the recent election so philosophically. I wanted Foraker to succeed, because he was one of my young soldiers. He cannot be suppressed, and will turn up again. I think you are also wise in your conclusion to retire gracefully at the end of your present term. To be a President for four years is not much of an honor, but to have been senator continuously from 1861 to 1892 - less the four years as Secretary of the Treasury - is an honor. Webster and Clay are better known to the world than Polk and Pierce. As to myself, I continue pretty much as always in universal demand for soldiers' meetings, college commencements, and such like things - always with a promise that I will not be called on to speak, which is always broken worse still, generally exaggerated by reporters. . . .

Affectionately,

W. T. SHERMAN.

SOURCE: Rachel Sherman Thorndike, Editor, The Sherman Letters: Correspondence Between General and Senator Sherman from 1837 to 1891, pp. 379-80

Congressman Horace Mann, July 13, 1851

WASHINGTON, July 13, 1851.

A Virginian told me yesterday that he saw I kept preaching; and, upon my evincing some curiosity to know what he meant, he said he heard a discourse from me the day before, — Sunday; all which, being at last interpreted, meant that he had heard a street temperance-lecturer read my Letter to the Worcester Temperance Convention, to a large audience which he had collected. I see the letter itself is in Monday's "Commonwealth."

I was glad to see in some paper yesterday a letter from Gen. Scott to Gen. Jackson, declining a challenge for a duel which the latter had sent him. It was well written, saying at the end that he, Gen. Jackson, could probably gratify his feelings by calling him, Scott, coward, &c., till after the next war; meaning thereby, that, in another war, he would have an opportunity to vindicate his courage, &c.

The general impression here is that Mr. Webster cares nothing for the Whig party, but will accept a nomination from any body of men not too contemptible to be noticed.

SOURCE: Mary Tyler Peabody Mann, Life of Horace Mann, p. 350

Congressman Horace Mann to Reverend Samuel J. May, August 4, 1851

WEST NEWTON, Aug. 4, 1851.

REV. S. J. MAY, — . . . Webster has debauched the country, not only on the subject of slavery, but of all decency and truth. Well, I have no doubt who will come out right ten years hence.

Very truly yours, &c.,

H. MANN.

SOURCE: Mary Tyler Peabody Mann, Life of Horace Mann, p. 350