Washington, July 11,
1850. Thursday morning, eight o'clock.
MY DEAR SIR,—It is
not easy to say what will be the extent of the changes in consequence of
General Taylor's death, and Mr. Fillmore's accession. It is at this moment
supposed that there will be an entirely new Cabinet. Certainly not more than
one or two can remain. Who will succeed to the vacant places, I have no means
of saying with any certainty. One thing I feel sure of, and that is that they
will be sound men. The President is a sensible man, and a conservative Whig,
and is not likely to be in favor of any "isms," such as have votaries
at the present day.
I believe Mr.
Fillmore favors the Compromise, and there is no doubt that recent events have
increased the probability of the passage of that measure. Nothing will be done
in congress this week. The funeral ceremonies will take all that remains of it.
P. S. Two o'clock.—I
am rather confirmed in the expectation of a total change. Beyond this I know
little, and nothing which I can communicate. The idea is now general that the
Compromise will go through. I have a few words to say on Monday or Tuesday.
SOURCE: Fletcher
Webster, Editor, The Private Correspondence of Daniel Webster, Vol.
2, p. 376
