CONTENTS.

Life and Times of Daniel Webster.

CHAPTER I.

Birth . Daniel Webster-Sketch of his Family-His Boyhood-His First

Teachers-Enters a Law-Office-Becomes a Student of Phillips Academy

-Peculiarities of Dr. Abbot-Webster commences to teach School-His

Usefulness and Success........

PAGE

9

CHAPTER II.

Webster's Intercourse with Dr. Samuel Wood-He prepares himself for

College-He enters Dartmouth College-His Habits and Pursuits-He

delivers a Fourth-of-July Oration-Extract from it-He completes his

Collegiate Course-His Speech at graduating.......

CHAPTER III.

16

Webster continues the Study of the Law-He becomes Principal of Frye-

burg Academy-Mr. Fessenden-His Further Studies with Mr. Thomson

-His Removal to Boston-Christopher Gore-The Offered Clerkship-

Webster's Admission to the Bar-Commences Practice at Boscawen-His

Removal to Portsmouth-His Marriage-His First Term in Congress.... 24

CHAPTER IV.

Calamity at Portsmouth-Webster's Second Term in Congress-The Tariff

-Webster's Opposition to it-His Removal to Boston-His Professional

Distinction-Case of Kenniston vs. Goodridge-Mr. Webster declines Po-

litical Honors-Continues his Professional Labors-Serves in the Con-

vention to Revise the Constitution of Massachusetts-Celebrated Dart-

mouth College Case-Signal Display of Mr. Webster's Abilities............

CHAPTER V.

Mr. Webster again elected to Congress-Debates in Congress respecting

Greece--Mr. Webster's Speech on the Occasion-Extract from it-His

36

PAGE

Opposition to the Tariff Mr. Webster's Speech on the Laying of Bunker

Hill Monument-Chairman of the Judiciary Committee-Reform in the

U. S. Supreme Court-Mr. Webster's Speech on the Death of John Adams

-He is elected Senator from Massachusetts in the Twentieth Congress... 52

CHAPTER VI.

Webster's Reply to Mr. Hayne-Preliminary Circumstances-Speeches of

Mr. Benton-Mr. Hayne's First Speech-His Character and Talents-Mr.

Webster's First Speech in Reply-The Second Speech of Mr. Hayne-Its

Character-Extract from it-Mr. Webster's Reply-Intense Interest felt

on the Occasion-Mr. Webster's Appearance and Manner-The Audience

-Qualities of his Great Speech-Its Prodigious Effect and Power........ 68

CHAPTER VII.

Death of Mrs. Webster-Mr. Webster's Second Marriage-The Celebrated

Case of John Francis Knapp-Circumstances of the Case-Revelations

of Hatch-Of Palmer-Crowninshield arrested-The Two Knapps-

Confession of Joseph Knapp-Trial of Francis and Joseph Knapp-The

Result-Mr. Choate's Narrative-Mr. Webster's Ability as a Criminal

Lawyer-The Variety of his Talents.................

CHAPTER VIII.

Accession of General Jackson to the Presidency-Mr. Van Buren rejected

as Minister to England-Mr. Webster supports the Renewal of the

Charter of the U. S. Bank-Removal of the Deposits-Disastrous Con-

sequences-Mr. Webster's Speeches on the Subject-Nullification in

South Carolina-Mr. Webster's Celebrated Speech thereon-The Action

of the President and of Congress-Accession of Van Buren to the Pre-

sidency The Sub-Treasury Scheme-Mr. Webster's Opposition to it-

Abolition of Slavery in the District of Columbia....

CHAPTER IX.

Mr. Webster's Visit to England-Election of General Harrison to the Pre-

sidency-His Death-Accession of Mr. Tyler-The "Treaty of Wash-

ington"-Its Various Provisions-Ability displayed by Mr. Webster as

a Diplomatist-Approval of the Treaty by Congress and the Executive

—“ Impressment”-Great Oration of Mr. Webster in Faneuil Hall-Ex-

tract from the Speech-Hostility of C. J. Ingersoll to Mr. Webster-Mr.

Webster's Retort upon him..........

CHAPTER X.

Temporary Retirement of Mr. Webster from Political Life-His Legal Argu-

ments-The Girard Will Case-Suit against the City of Boston-Mr.

Webster returns to the Senate-Annexation of Texas-Dispute respect-

58

98

113

ing Oregon Territory-The Mexican War--Admission of California-

The Compromise Measures of Mr. Clay-Mr. Webster's Able Speech on

the Subject...

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127

CHAPTER XI.

Death of General Taylor-Mr. Webster's Eulogy upon Him-Mr. Web-

ster's Last Speech in the Senate-Mr. Fillmore appoints him Secretary

of State-Mr. Webster's Celebrated Letter to Chevalier Hülsemann-

Disputed Authorship-Expedition of Lopez against Cuba-Its Results

-Other Questions of Importance disposed of by Mr. Webster-His

Treatment of Kossuth...........

136

CHAPTER XII.

Approach of Mr. Webster's Last Illness-His Religious Opinions—A Sum-

mary of it-Mr. Webster's Will-New and Alarming Symptoms-Mr.

Webster's Scrutiny of his Own Dissolution-His Death-His Intellectual

Character-Parallel between Him and Alexander Hamilton-Mr. Web-

ster's Skill in Agriculture-His Library-His Favorite Amusements—

His Fondness for the Sea-Shore-The Admirable Proportion of his

Mental Faculties-His Peculiarities as an Orator-His Great Logical

Power-His Boldness and Fortitude-The Permanence and Splendor of

144

Select Speeches of Daniel Webster.

I. Mr. Webster's Reply to Mr. Hayne in the U. S. Senate, January
26, 1830..........

151

II.-Speech in the Senate on the Slavery Compromise, March 7, 1850. 253

III.-Speech on the Greek Revolution, delivered in the House of Re-

presentatives, January 19, 1823.......

305

IV.-Speech on the Trial of John F. Knapp for murder, at Salem, Mas-

347

V.-Argument in the Goodridge Case, delivered in April, 1817, at

Ipswich Massachusets..........

.... 418

Obituary Addresses Delivered on the Occasion of Mr.
Webster's Death.

PAGE

I.-Eulogy by Mr. Davis in the United States Senate................. 441

VI.-Eulogy by Mr. Davis, in the House of Representatives............... 462

XIV.-Address of Edward Everett, delivered in Boston.....

493

XV.-Rufus Choate's Address to the Boston Bar......................

50:

XVI.-Eulogy delivered by George S. Hillard in Boston..........

514

XVII.-Eulogy delivered by Hiram Ketchum, in New York.................. 54..

XVIII. The Obsequies of Daniel Webster..........

545