11 May 1828

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James William Paige

Informs his brother-in-law of a debate in the Senate regarding the 1828 Tariff Bill that proposed to tax certain raw and manufactured materials including molasses and hemp. States that due to disagreements with Southern Senators, several North Eastern Senators who would normally be opposed to the bill might go "against their first opinions" and support the bill, seeing "who can bear a molasses tax longest." Worries that the Bill will get lost, as only thirteen days remain in the session. Advises Paige to "calculate ... the Bill will pass." Marked private.

GLC01946.10

29 November 1829

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James William Paige

Informs his brother-in-law that he arrived in New York City by sunrise via a boat from New Haven, Connecticut. States that he will continue on the next day (possibly to Washington, D.C. for a session in Senate). Year written in pencil at a later date.

GLC01946.12

December 5, 1829

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James William Paige

Appears to be planning for his 12 December 1829 marriage to Caroline LeRoy. States that if Paige cannot attend the Saturday date, "a postponement will take place till Monday following." States that Paige should arrange passage on the ship, the "Ch: Livingstone," scheduled to leave Providence, Rhode Island, Thursday 10 December. Promises not to fix the wedding date until Paige arrives, and instructs him to come prepared to stay one week. Discusses whether or not he should take his daughter Julia Webster to Washington, D.C. after the occasion. States that Julia would be better off with Mrs…

GLC01946.13

December 23, 1831

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James William Paige

Serving as Massachusetts Senator, Webster informs his brother-in-law that he will be travelling to Baltimore and Annapolis to assist in settling a legal dispute between the Maryland Rail Road and Canal. Asks if "Mrs. Webster and the girls ... talk and laugh as usual, or [if] the cold weather sealed their lips." Reports that he enjoys the company of Paige's business partner Nathan Appleton, elected in 1830 as Massachusetts Representative, and adds that he anticipates debates about the Tarriff Bill to ensue.

GLC01946.14

January 22, 1832

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James William Paige

Requests that his brother-in-law send "Remarks on the Federal Land- N.W. of the Ohio- or Memoir on the Federal Lands" to Washington for use in a court case involving the City of Cincinnati. Instructs Paige to send it safely and "without the loss of a post" to Walter Lowrie, Secretary of the Senate. States that Mr. A. (Massachusetts senator Nathan Appleton) made a speech regarding [Thomas] Bouldin's Resolution, which "caused some sensation." Writes, "It contains some very good points... He Proved, Conclusively, that the minimum price [after], which Mr. [Hayne] & other gentlemen so…

GLC01946.15

30 June 1832

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James William Paige

Informs his brother-in-law that the 1832 tariff is before Senate; claims the tariff protects cotton interests, flannels, ingrain and Venetian carpets. Assumes the "Tariff Gentlemen" will likely approve the bill, though much rests on the wish of President Andrew Jackson. Claims he almost agreed with a man from "the other side" in order to return home expediently. In a post script, states that the House of Representatives defeated a postponement of the Bank Bill, with 75 votes in agreement and 100 against.

GLC01946.16

December 13, 1840

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harriette Story Paige

Writes to his sister-in-law two days after accepting appointment as Secretary of State by President William Henry Harrison. Reports that he and Mr. Curtis, (possibly Edward Curtis, fellow Congressman, lawyer, and friend) are arranging more suitable, permanent living accommodations for their families in Washington. Docket and a summary of the contents of page two of this letter included on the page, initialed by Harriette Story Paige.

GLC01946.20

28 November 1842

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harriette Story Paige

Informs his sister-in-law that he frequently thinks of his "remote kindred" and of the "connections created by the ties of blood." Reports he might celebrate Thanksgiving "in this District" (possibly Washington, D.C.). States that he urged the President to issue a short proclamation regarding Thanksgiving. Reports that since the departure of Mr. Curtis, (possibly Edward Curtis, fellow Congressman, lawyer, and friend), he has been "quite alone." Refers to Mr. and Mrs. Joy, possibly mutual friends from Pittsfield, New Hampshire where Webster owned property.

GLC01946.24

13 December 1842

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harriette Story Paige

States that he received a testimonial from his sister-in-law Paige in favor of G.H. Paige, likely one of her relatives. Serving as Secretary of State, reports that he recommended G.H. Paige to Secretary of War Jefferson Davis for an appointment.

GLC01946.25

1 October 1843

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harriette Story Paige

Informs his sister-in-law that he travelled through Rochester, Philadelphia, and Baltimore before arriving in Washington, D.C., where he stayed at the house he formerly occupied as Secretary of State. Reports seeing the family of Dr. Harvey Lindsley, a Washington physician and member of the American Colonization Society. Refers to a new addition to the social circle, Harriette LeRoy Lindsley, likely a relative of Dr. Lindsley.

GLC01946.26

20 March 1844

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harriette Story Paige

Reports to his sister-in-law that he arrived in New York the previous day. Expresses concern regarding the sorrow of daughter-in-law Caroline Story White Webster, referring to the recent death of her daughter Grace Fletcher Webster. Includes a note to Harriette's husband, James William Paige. Requests that James inform a Mr. Tucker to retain anything in Webster's name scheduled to arrive on a boat in Boston. States that his goods might arrive before him in Boston on "The Mozart," a boat sent from Washington, D.C.

GLC01946.27

5 January 1846

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harriette Story Paige

Informs his sister-in-law that he left two items at the Paige's residence in Boston: a "tin pail or box of bristles intended for Mrs. Curtis," and his "breach pin, commonly called Mrs. Perkins." Instructs Paige to send the pail to Mrs. Edward Curtis in New York, and requests that she send his breach pin to Washington, D.C., using his free frank. Refers to Mr. Adams (possibly John Quincy Adams) in Congress as a "man who sometimes confounds his enemies; but quite as often his friends." Hopes the squall Adams raised in Congress will blow over. Records that this document was written at 11 o'…

GLC01946.32

29 April 1847

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harriette Story Paige

On a tour through the southern states, Webster writes to his sister-in-law Paige, stating that Richmond, Virginia has a "pleasant beat." Poetically describes morning as a "new image of light, a new breaking forth of the sun, a new waking up of all that has life, from a sort of temporary death, to behold, again the works of God, the Heavens & the Earth." Reports that he had left Washington the previous day with his wife Caroline LeRoy Webster, William Seaton (Webster's friend and co-owner of the congressional paper The National Intelligencer), Josephine Seaton (William's daughter), and…

GLC01946.35

January 18, 1848

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harriette Story Paige

Thanks his sister-in-law and her husband James William Paige for the interest and concern they expresses for his reputation. Intends to thank Horace Binney Wallace, son of Webster's friend and Philadelphia lawyer John B. Wallace, for an article. Praises the characters of Mrs. Wallace and Horace B. Wallace.

GLC01946.36

January 28, 1848

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harriette Story Paige

Requests that an unnamed friend of his sister-in-law Paige forgive him for forgetting to submit payment for a book he ordered. States that his wife Caroline LeRoy Webster has "driven out" with Mrs. Blatchford (likely the wife of his close friend and business associate Richard Blatchford) and another acquaintance.

GLC01946.37

February 14, 1848

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harriette Story Paige

Informs his sister-in-law that Washington physician and friend Dr. Harvey Lindsley "reprieved [Webster] out of the hands of the Court ... till he can deal with [Webster's] rheumatics." Reports there is "little interest in the House of Congress" besides several speeches he intends to send to Harriette's husband James William Paige.

GLC01946.38

February 4, 1848

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harriette Story Paige

Expresses concern to his sister-in-law Paige regarding the health of his daughter Julia Webster. Expects daily reports of Julia's health from Paige, Caroline, and his son Daniel Fletcher Webster. Reports that he had written a note to Horace Binney Wallace, son of Webster's friend and Philadelphia lawyer John B. Wallace.

GLC01946.40

4 March 1848

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Daniel Fletcher Webster

Written during the 1846-1848 United States War with Mexico. Webster updates his son on arrangements to receive the body of Webster's other son, Major Edward Webster, who had died in camp near Mexico City in January. Reports that General Roger Jones wrote to a friend in New Orleans requesting that the "Remains" of Major Edward Webster continue from New Orleans to New York or Boston. Notes the Court (possibly the Supreme Court) has adjourned and that there is nothing before Congress of a pressing nature to him, except the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which he opposed. Refers disapprovingly…

GLC01946.41

February 15, 1850

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James William Paige

Serving as Massachusetts Senator, reports to his brother-in-law that he sent a letter from Paige to William Meredith, Secretary of the Treasury in 1850. Expects to receive Meredith's reply within two days.

GLC01946.42

18 February 1850

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James William Paige

Reports to his brother-in-law that the Chairman of the Committee of Commerce in the House of Representatives will report a Coinage Bill the following day and "put it, immediately, on its passage." Promises Paige that if the Bill is delayed in the House of Representatives, he will introduce a similar Bill in the Senate.

GLC01946.44

December 29, 1850

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harriette Story Paige

Writes to his sister-in-law on the subject of tripe. States that Harriette's husband, James William Paige, remembers Mrs. Hayman, who previously served as cook for Webster's friends Sarah and George Blake. Compares the cooking skills of Monica McCarty, his cook and servant, to Hayman.

GLC01946.45

1850

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Pamphlet signed

Title: Daniel Webster's oration on the Compromise Bill

Published in Washington, D.C. by Gideon & Co., printers. Includes a dedication written on the front cover, likely to his brother-in-law James William Paige, stating "My dear friend & brother, accept this, as a copy of my last speech in Congress. Yours affectionately ... " Signed by Daniel Webster. Webster's speech supported the Compromise Bill of 1850, focusing on the following points: admission of California to the Union as a free state, the organization of New Mexico and Utah territories with no mention of slavery (the institution was to be decided upon by inhabitants of the…

GLC01946.47

February 5, 1851

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James William Paige

Sends papers to his brother-in-law, including his famous Plymouth Oration (also entitled "First Settlement of New England") delivered in Plymouth, Massachusetts on 22 December 1820. Informs Paige that the papers were refined by New York Representative Edward Curtis. Reports that former Massachusetts Representative Edward Everett agreed to superintend the publication of the papers. States that his previous clerk, State Department employee George Abbot, intends to assist Everett with the publication.

GLC01946.48

14 July 1852

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Letter signed

Title: to James William Paige

Informs his brother-in-law that he can not go to the British Provinces in Canada until he resigns as Secretary of State, a position to which he was reappointed in 1850. Discusses whether he will live in Washington, D.C. or Boston following his resignation. Regrets that Willie (possibly Paige's son) cannot come visit. Based on the handwriting, possibly written by Webster's clerk, George Abbot, and signed by Webster.

GLC01946.50

circa 1845

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harriette Story Paige

Thanks his sister-in-law for a letter he recently received. States that he is in the company Mary Scott (likely a friend of the Websters), and Mr. & Mrs. Curtis (likely Webster's friend, lawyer and New York Representative Edward Curtis and his wife). States that letter is written "In the Senate."

GLC01946.57