Webster, Daniel (1782-1852) to James William Paige
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01946.15 Author/Creator: Webster, Daniel (1782-1852) Place Written: Washington, D.C Type: Autograph letter signed Date: circa 22 January 1832 Pagination: 2 p. : address : free frank ; 25.2 x 19.9 cm. Order a Copy
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 loudly reproach, is of S. Carolina origin, introduced, for the first time, by Mr Lowndes. Chair of the W's & M's [Ways & Means] in 1816, & defended, & [voted] for by him & other S.C. members- this brought up Mr. [George] McDuffie, in some warmth." Concludes that Paige will "see the debate shortly." 22 January 1832 written in pencil at a later date.
In 1829, Webster and Hayne participated in a series of debates in the Senate regarding the nature of nationalism, the Constitution, and the existence of protective tariffs on certain goods. Most Southern Senators opposed tariffs, while Webster generally supported them. During his 1829 debate with Hayne, Webster referred to an 1825 debate with George McDuffie regarding lowering land prices in the West to encourage settlement. Date is inferred based on Appleton's 21 January 1832 speech on "Mr. Bouldin’s resolution of inquiry, into the nature of minimum duties" (Washington: Printed at the office of J. Elliot, 1832).
Dear William:
In the drawer, next [to the] file, in the front of my writing table, in my library, in my house, in Summer Street, Boston, is an old Pamphlet, entitled "Remarks on the Federal Lands - N. W. of the Ohio - or Memoir on the Federal Lands" - or some such title. I will take it as a great favor if you will wrap that up safely, & quiet it to me - then wrap it up again & quiet it to Walter Lourie Esq. Sec. Of Senate, Washington. It is a very valuable and rare pamphlet. I wish to use it in a case in Court, in which the City of Cincinnati is my client. I should be quite glad if you could forward it without the loss of a part.
Mr. A made a speech yesterday on Mr. Bouldin's Resolution, which seemed more sensation. It contains some very good points, as you will see. It will be out in a day or two. He proved, conclusively, the ? ? ? which Mr. Hayn & other Gentlemen so loudly reproach, if of L. ? origin, introduced, for the first time, by Mr. ?, ? of the ? in 1816, & defended today for by him to the T. G. members. This brought up Mr. Duffie, in ? ?.
You will see the Debate shortly -
I write D. W. today, addressed to C.
No northern mail today.
Good night
D. W.
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