Description:

Daniel Webster ALS Regarding Disputed Senate Confirmation of Rival Whig Abbott Lawrence

A 2pp autograph letter signed by statesman Daniel Webster (1782-1852), as "Danl Webster" near the bottom of the second page. N.d., but attributed to be June 10 or June 12, 1850 at "11 o clock." Written "In the Senate" at Washington, D.C. On bifold stationery paper, the first leaf inscribed recto and verso, the remaining pages blank. Expected light paper folds and isolated ink ghost impressions on the third page. A former collector has pencil-inscribed the suspected date on the last page. Else near fine. 4.75" x 7.25."

Daniel Webster, then a U.S. Senator from Massachusetts, wrote this "Private + confidential" letter to an unknown correspondent named "Mr Eliot" in mid-June 1850. The letter is of considerable interest, since it pertained to Abbott Lawrence (1792-1855), Webster's fellow Whig but erstwhile political rival. (Lawrence challenged Webster's monopoly over Massachusetts Whigs.) The letter illustrates the complexity of mid-nineteenth-century American politics, when Webster could personally compete against a fellow Whig for political power, but then rally to his defense when the party was threatened by the true enemy, the Democrats.

At issue was Abbott Lawrence's confirmation by the U.S. Senate in June 1850. Lawrence had been appointed to the post of Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the United Kingdom by President Zachary Taylor in August 1849. His position was under consideration in June 1850.

Webster wrote in part:

"There has been a conversation, as I learn privately, this morning, between the Gentlemen of the Majority, in respect to to [sic] Mr. A. Lawrence's confirmation. I pray you let me have a letter, without delay, signed [by] yourself + Mr Lewis Lawrence, which I can show, denying to the best of your knowledge, any approbation of Mr A. Lawrence of the concerns of the course of the Atlas, Mr Hudson, +c. The disposition to strike a blow at that concern is stronger than you can well conceive. I cannot curtail it, without aid; though I believe, myself, that Mr Abbott Lawrence is quite clear of participation in this matter - I shall see that nothing is done, till I hear from you…"

Abbott Lawrence, who had served as a U.S. Congressman from Massachusetts for two terms in the mid- to late 1830s, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate and recommissioned in his diplomatic post by June 24, 1850. This was no small feat considering that the U.S. Senate in of the 31st U.S. Congress (March 1849 - March 1851) was majority Democratic.

The scandal referred to involving "the Atlas, Mr Hudson, +c" appears to have involved Charles Hudson (1795-1881), himself a former politician, as well as editor and publisher of the "Boston Daily Atlas," a daily and semi-weekly pro-Whig Boston newspaper published between 1832-1857.

Daniel Webster was one of the most revered statesmen of his day. He represented New Hampshire and Massachusetts in the U.S. Congress (both in the House of Representatives and the Senate) before serving as U.S. Secretary of State in the Harrison, Tyler, and Fillmore administrations.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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