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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 James William Paige

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01946.14 Author/Creator: Webster, Daniel (1782-1852) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 23 December 1831 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 25.1 x 19.8 cm. Order a Copy

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.

While Senator (1827-1840) and (1945-1850), Webster frequently travelled between Boston and Washington, D.C.

23 December 1831, Washington
Dear William:
I am off tomorrow, for Baltimore - then to Annapolis, on Monday - to spend the holidays in the Maryland Court. The Rail Road & the Canal have a controversy, & I am going down in aid of the R.R.
My cold goes off slowly - but keeps going. Mrs. W & Julia were well, at the last date. I have a letter today from Fletcher - please give my love to him, & tell him I will answer it, so soon as I return. I hear from Edward, sometimes, thru' his mother - but be has not yet favored me with a line direct.
I pray my best love to Harriette - I hope she is by this time free of cold. I wish I could pop in at one of her little oyster suppers. ? ? also to Mrs. W. & the girls - do they talk & laugh as usual, or has the cold weather sealed their lips?
Mr. Appleton (our partner) & I get on quite well. He is good company, & knows many things that I wish to learn. A month home, we shall be full of Tariff debates.
Give my love to Edward. I ask him to favor me with a line, when his urgent engagements may allow him time.
Mr. Wish is exceedingly sick (ill) at Baltimore.
Yours truly ever
D. W.

Webster, Daniel, 1782-1852
Paige, James William, 1792-1868
Webster, Caroline LeRoy, 1797-1882
Appleton, Nathan, 1779-1861

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