United States Congressman, Senator & Secretary of State

One of the greatest orators of the 19th century!

Autograph Letter Signed

(1782-1852) American statesman, lawyer and orator. Served as a United States Congresman, 1813-17, and 1823-27; United States Senator, 1827-41, and 1845-50; and United States Secretary of State, 1841-43, and 1850-52. He was one of the greatest orators of his time, well known for his brilliant speeches and eloquent public addresses. His son was Colonel Fletcher Webster, who served in the 12th Massachusetts Infantry during the Civil War. Fletcher Webster was killed in action on August 30, 1862, in the 2nd Bull Run campaign.

Autograph Letter Signed: 5 1/4 x 7 1/4, in ink.

Boston, Oct. 2/[18]47

My Dear Sir,

I thank you for your kind invitation to Bridgewater & to your home on the occasion of the Cattle Show. Should the weather be fair & my health continue good I shall hope to have the pleasure of being with you.

Yrs. Truly,

Danl. Webster

[to] Mr. Hale

This also comes with a handwritten dinner invitation from Daniel Webster to Mr. [Artemas] Hale, the recipient of the above letter. Hale was a U.S. Congressman from Massachusetts, 1845-48. The invitation is not written in Webster's hand.

It reads: "Mr. Webster asks the favor of Hon. Mr. Hale’s company to dine on Monday at 5 o’clock. Saturday, Feb. 17/[18]49."

Light age toning and wear. Very nice pair of related items including an A.L.S. from America's great orator! Extremely desirable American politician.


Some important quotes from Daniel Webster regarding secession:

"Secession! Peaceable secession! Sir, your eyes and mine are never destined to see that miracle. The dismemberment of this vast country without convulsion! ... There can be no such thing as a peaceable secession. Peaceable secession is an utter impossibility...We could not separate the states by any such line if we were to draw it."

Daniel Webster, March 7, 1850, A Plea for Harmony and Peace.


"I shall stand by the Union...with absolute disregard of personal consequences. What are personal consequences...in comparison with the good or evil which may befall a great country in a crisis like this?...Let the consequences be what they will.... No man can suffer too much, and no man can fall too soon, if he suffer or if he fall in defense of the liberties and constitution of his country."

Daniel Webster, July 17, 1850, address to the U.S. Senate.