Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Webster, Daniel (1782-1852) to Harriette Story Paige

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01946.23 Author/Creator: Webster, Daniel (1782-1852) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: circa 29 August 1842 Pagination: 2 p. ; 18 x 10.9 cm. Order a Copy

States at the top of the letter, "1 o'clock- Tariff passed," likely referring to the Tariff of 1842, which returned duties to what they had been before the Compromise Tariff of 1833. Thanks his sister-in-law Paige for the sixth "mouchoir," or handkerchief she had recently given to him. Informs Paige of his travel plans through Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Nashua, New Hampshire, and Marshfield, Massachusetts. Requests Paige to find a "good natured woman" to cook for him now and then; states that he prefers a white woman. Records that this letter was written at 1 o'clock. 1842 written in pencil on this document at a later date.

Marshfield, Massachusetts, became Webster's permanent residence after he resigned from President John Tyler's cabinet in 1843.

Aug. 29.
1 oclock - Tariff passed.
Dear Harriett
I thank you for Mouchoir No. 6 -& more for your kind letter.
I intend quitting these parts next Thursday morig -shall stay one day in Philaa -& be in N.Y. on Saturday -& so on, & [along], to Boston, Nahant, Marshfield &c.
- Ask your good Lydia to look out some good natured woman to go down & cook [2] now & then a couple of small fishes for me. I should prefer a white woman. -
Congress is breaking up, & every thing is in confusion.
yrs D.W.

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852
Paige, Harriette Story, 1806-1863

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources