Webster, Daniel (1782-1852) to Harriette Story Paige
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01946.22 Author/Creator: Webster, Daniel (1782-1852) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: circa 1842 Pagination: 3 p. ; 17.8 x 12.3 cm. Order a Copy
Writes to his sister-in-law, enclosing a note of introduction for British foreign minister Lord Alexander Ashburton and James Paige, Harriette's husband. Instructs Harriette to have the note "sealed and presented on [Ashburton's] arrival." States, "You will hear that the the [sic] Treaty is done! and I am almost done, too," referring to the Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842, which defined the North Eastern boundary between the United States and Canada and resulted in a lasting peace agreement between Britain and America. Reports that the only issue not negotiated with Ashburton was that of "the Fisheries," likely referring to the fishing rights of each country in shared waters. Thanks Harriette for five handkerchiefs he received. August or September 1842 written in pencil on this document at a later date.
Dear Mrs. P.
I enclose a note of introduction for your husband to Lord Ashburton - please have it sealed & presented on his arrival. He will be glad to see Mr. P. & yourself, I am quite well.
You will hear that the [2] the [Treaty] is done! and I am almost done, too.
The only question of magnitude about which I did not negotiate with Lord Ashburton, is the question respecting the Fisheries. That question I propose to take up with Mr. Seth Peterson, on Tuesday, the 6th day of September next, at 6 o'clock A.M. [3] A.M. In the meantime, I may find a leisure hour to drop a line on the same subject at Nahants.
I have to thank you for 5 beautiful handkerchiefs - nothing was ever nicer.
Yrs affectionately
Danl Webster
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