The primitive Republican. (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-1852, 1852-11-11
From the New Commercial Advertiser.
Daniel Webster.

we nave Deen favored with the perusal OF
letter written by Mr. Webster to an init
mate friend in this city, dated franklin,
May 3rd, 1916, from which we make the ex-
tract below, and which we are sure will be
read at this time with unusual interest:
81 have made satisfactory arrangements
respecting my house here, the best Of which
is that l can leave it where it is, and yet be
comfortable, Notwithstanding the railroad
'This house faces due north Its front
windows look toward the river Merrimack.
But then the river soon turns to the south,
so that the eastern windows look toward the
river also. But the river has so deepened
its channel in this stretch of it, in the last
fifty years, that we cannot see it's waters
without approaching it or going back to the
/ highest lands behind us. The history of
this change is Of considerable Importance in
the philosophy of streams. have observ-
ed it practically, and know something of the
theory of the phenomenon; but | doubt
whether the world will ever be benefited
either by my learning or my observation il
this respect.
"Loo1>ing out at the east windows, at thi
: moment; p. Nh; with beautiful sun jus
breaking out, my eyes sweeps rich and lie
< vel field of one hundred acres. At the EN-
of it, third of mile of, l see plain mar
: bic grave-stones, designating the places wher
, repose my father, my mother, my brothe
, Joseph, and my sisters Mehitable, Abigail
and Sarah; good Scripture names, inherite
y from their puritan ancestors.
e only father! Ebenezer Webster Dor
: at Kingston, in the lower part of the State
+ in 1739-the handsomest man 1 ever saw
n except my brother Ezekiel, who appeared t
| me, and so does be now seem to me, the W
d ry finest human form that ever laid eye
a on. saw him in his cofin-a white fort
head-a tinged cheek-a complexion {
clear as heavenly light! But where am
straying?
IT "Thc grave has closed upon him, as it hi
L on all my brothers and sisters. We sha
t, soon be all together. But this is melanch
: ly-and I leave it. Dear, dear kindre
blood, how [ love you all.
Le "This fair field is before mel could 81
e lamb on any part of it. l have ploughe
l. it, and raked it, and hoed it, but [ new
y moved it. Somehow, l could never learn
hang a scythe! had not wit enough.
My brother Joe used to say that my faith
sent me to college in order to make me equ
d. to the rest of the children
d "Ofa hot day in July--it must have bet
IS one of the last years of Washington's a
Is ministration-I was making hay with n
u father just where l now see a remaining el
y, tree, about the middle of the afterneoo.-
} The Hon. Abel Foster, NJ c. who lived
Z Canterbury, six miles off, called at the hous
y and came into the field to see my father
a He was worthy man, college learned, al
III had been minister, but was not person
any considerable natural powers. My fat
10 er was his friend and supporter. He talk
II j. awhile in the field, and went on his way.
n When he was gone, my father called me
TX him, and we sat down beneath the elm trt
% and hay-cock. He said, my son, that is
al worthy mamie is a member of Congress
III he goes to Philadelphia, and gets six dolls
day, while toll here. It is because
had an education, which never had. If
had had his early education, should hs
been in Philadelphia in his place. cal
"a near it, as it was. But l missed it, and n
en- 1 must work here MY dear father 81
est I, you shall not work. Brother and 1 v
Try work for you, and wear our hands out, a
it you shall rest;' and I remember to hs
la cried; and cry now, at the recollecti
g, My child said he, st is of no importal
to to mel now live but for my children
of colud not give your elder brother the adv
OR tage of knowledge, but l can do somethi
of for you. Exert yourself-improve your
ing ortunities-ledrn-lea when
We gone you will not need to go through
- hardships which 1 have undergone,
the which have made me an old man before
time
ore 'The next May he took me to Exeter,
AS the Philips Exeter Academy-place me
ere der the tuition of its excellent precep
ac- DR.. Benjamin Abbott, still living.
ter. "My father died in April 1906. ne
on er left him nor forsook him. My oper
lere an Office at Buscowan was that | nigh
An near him. I closed his eyes in this !
luct house. He died at sixty-seven years of
of after life Of exertion, toll, and exposui
ex- a private soldier, an officer, legislato
t at judge-every thing that man could be
cted whom learning never had disclosed her
the pie page
3. "My first speech at the bar was n
rch- when he was on the bench-he never b
con- me a second time.
lrry, "He had in him what recollect to
been the character Of some Of the old