Webster, Daniel (1782-1852) to Daniel Fletcher Webster
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01946.41 Author/Creator: Webster, Daniel (1782-1852) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 4 March 1848 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 17.9 x 11.4 cm. Order a Copy
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 of the actions of former United States consul in Cuba Nicholas Trist, who was sent on a secret mission to Mexico during the War and negotiated the Treaty with Mexico without the authorization of President James Polk. Reports that he received an agreeable letter from his ill daughter, Julia Fletcher Webster.
Webster served as a Massachusetts Senator 1827-1840 and 1845-1850. Though Trist negotiated the Treaty without Polk's prior consent, Polk agreed with the terms of the Treaty and submitted it to Congress for ratification. Congress ratified the Treaty, and the War was over by May 1848.
Saturday Mar: 4.'48
In the Senate
1 oclock
My Dear Son;
I have yet no particulars, nor any further news, from Mexico. I think we must hear soon. Genl Roger Jones has been kind eno to write to N. Orleans, at my request, to a friend, to take all necessary steps to send the Remains, & to N. York or Boston, on their arrival at N. Orleans. Meantime [2] I am preparing to leave for home, as a that time - as soon as the 13th if we hear from Mexico. I do not like to leave Washington, till I get letters from that quarter.
The Court will adjourn next week - I shall not go into it, again. There is nothing in Congress I shall care about, when this Treaty, so called, is disposed of. I [3] suppose we shall get some sort of Peace - but the proceeding is highly derogatory to the honor of the Govt, & of a most irregular character.
Mr. Trist has [illegible] himself to less advantage, than when in Cuba.
I have your notes today, & rejoice that you & your family are well. I have a most agreeable letter from Julia.
Yrs affectionably
Daniel Webster
[docket]
Washington
March 4 th '48,
---
Mexico
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