Webster, Daniel (1782-1852) to James William Paige
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01946.07 Author/Creator: Webster, Daniel (1782-1852) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 30 November 1827 Pagination: 2 p. ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Informs his brother-in-law of difficulties in New York en route to Washington, D.C. States that a doctor sent Webster's son Edward to the apothecary to get a "soothing anodyne plaster" for his wife Grace Webster's swollen side. Reports that after applying the medicine, the Websters realized it was a blister plaster which had raised a "great & very sore blister!" Informs Paige of a business transaction likely related to his law practice in Boston.
Webster served as Massachusetts Senator 1827-1840. While Senator, Webster travelled with his family to Washington, D.C. for a Congressional Session. On the way, he rested in New York due to Grace's ill health. Grace Webster had a large tumor that physicians would not consider operating on due to its position in her abdomen.
New York Nov. 30. 1827.
Dr William,
Our misfortunes do not end. One of the most vexatious things imaginable happened last evening. Dr. P. thought that a soothing ? plaster would be useful to my Webster's side & accordingly sent the boy, with a prescription to the apothecary, to obtain such an article. The plaster came - the doctor was out & I was in bed & Mrs. W. applied it, & went to bed herself. The ? found it very far from being soothing & after waiting for some time, to see what might come of it, she got up, & took it off, when, lo, it was a blister plaster, I had already raised a great & very sore blister! Today she cannot stir at all. Indeed she has not been out of her bed. What to do, I know not. I must decide tomorrow morning, between leaving her, & waiting for her being better. The Dr. has been ? to heal up the blister, & it is possible she may be able to go in the Boat on Sunday. I know not what to do. Indeed this whole subject of Mrs. W's illness distresses me much. More than all other subjects do, or ever did. Yet I hope there is no great danger. She hereof is in good spirits, & thinks this last incident so ridiculous, that tho' its results are painful, it must be laughed at. She laughs at the New York ?. The children are well as usual & with their mother send a great deal of love to uncle William & Daniel. I have a bad cold, which is getting better. Riley has gone on to New Brunswich. I write Mrs. ? today, with an enclosure, for the paupers about which I wrote you from Hartford.
I shall probably write again tomorrow.
Yours
D. W.
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