April 3, 1823.
Dear Daniel,—I
received yours this morning. Of all the candidates named for the Presidency,
the people of New Hampshire would undoubtedly prefer Mr. Adams. Mr. Adams being
out of the question, I think Mr. Calhoun would be their choice. I think neither
Jackson, Crawford, nor Clay could ever obtain the votes of this State. They
would prefer to have a Northern man for the President, and I think would vote
for Mr. Clinton, if there should be any prospect of his being chosen. It seems
to me there is among us a pretty strong local feeling, something like a very
general wish that the next President should be from the North. There is a kind
of presentiment that, after this election, we may give up all further
expectation.
Of all the persons named I reply Calhoun. Yet, if a
prominent man from New England, New York, or Pennsylvania should /be put in
nomination against him, I think he would obtain the electoral vote.
Consulting my own feelings and wishes at this time, I should
put the candidates in this order, Adams, Calhoun, Clinton. I am, however, very
incompetent to judge correctly of their qualifications.
For the time we had to labor we did something. Every department
of the government will be what is called here anti-Hill. Some good will result
from the change, not immediately perhaps, but in time.
The result of the election was one of the most unexpected,
and yet one of the most natural events that could be imagined. Here is a
paradox, I give no more.
I intend to be in Boston the 3d day of May, as I have some
engagements after the 10th that will require me to be at home.
Yours affectionately,
Ezekiel Webster.
SOURCE: Fletcher Webster, Editor, The Private Correspondence
of Daniel Webster, Volume 1, p. 323-4
