New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-10-27
Daniel Webster.


am sure you will be glad to be put right on
one of the points made in your very graphic
sketch of the life of the departed Webster. /
refer to the reference made to his continuance
in the State Department with Tyler, after that
apOstate" had made it necessary for the other
members of his Cabinet to resign, and abandon him
This continuance in Office by Mr. Webster Is attributed
in the sketch referred to, his love Of "eRaeiy
for, Office"
know this remaining In Office was at the time, very
generally attributed by the Wing party, its leaders
to anything and everything, except u justifable and
patriotic motive Allow me, gentlemen with great re-
spect to right the memory OF the greatest mind of tho
age from this imputation. am sure nobody will be
more grated t. be put right in this matter than your
self
Daniel Webster was at the period to which am re-
ferrDg in Philadelphia either passing through Wash
ington or to the East. He ut the Washington
House. Twas for the South, and myself
putting up at the Washington House.
| soon learned that much dissatisfaction prevailed
among the Wings of Philadelphia on account OF Mr..
webs,er's remaining in Tyl-r's Cabinet | was told
that not leading Wing of that city had called upon Mr.
Webster | learned from some OF them the cause to
be what has been stated
Having known Mr. Webster for forty years, and be.
Hevins had reached just conclusion, touching
the reason that had determined him TO hold on in Ty
lsrs Cabinet and that il rhOy patriotic called on
Mr. Webster found him alone and referred 20 the re-
latons which his former friends in Philadelphia
stood to him and TO the for the change and,
not wishing to iserTOga him a. to his reason for re-
msning in the Cabinet OF Tyler after his associates had
felt il their duty to leave it, proceeded to state why
felt toward him the same respect ever "If" said
" am right in my conclusions 10 the reasons which
governed you in determining TO continue in the Cabinet
Of Mr. Tyler they are these You did not feel that you
would be doing your country justice by abruptly break
ing of the negotiations with Lord Ashburton and you
wished to lay the foundation of our relations with Chi
ma By preparing, with your own hand, your instruc
tons 10 the newly appointed Commissioner Mr. Cush
ingi"
Mr. Webster, reaching out his hand, grasped mine
and with much feeling and emphasis said You Sir
have done me ustice These, and these only were my
motives thank you for your just Interpretation Of
the reasons that governed me in thes matters"
left Mr. w, called two Of our Wing friends the
same evening and related the above. They both rose
and ssid 1--WE will forthwith wait upon him" They
did go; and accompanied them. left the city next
morning.
Allow me to add that Mr.. Webster appeared to me
then have given proof only Of being governed by
the pures patriotism but by the most invincble moral
courage He knew, for the press of his party was vio-
len, in its denunciaons Of him for tagging behind his
associates and felt how much Of Temporary at least
fame be must lose by his course but rsing above all
that was personal himself he resolved on his course
and 20 meet the issEs.
Now allow TO ask if the contamination of tse
Treaty made by Mr. Webster with Lord Ashburton,
could with anything like certainty have been reached
by any Otsr mind han Daniel Wsbae'si | doubt il,
and have Lord Ashburton himself for witness His
lordship free 70 speak only Of the grca: and
unmatched powers Of Daniel Webster, but be said Ne
did not beIere The Treaty could hare been ooHsaz
mated By any other man"
Ard surely when the foundations Of our conf
mercsl and other relations with China were TO be,
for the first time, laid 1t would not have become
Mr. Webster 10 have left the performance Of that duty
duty TO any other hands and especially - he knew Mr.
TSLER and knew well that some parfs:Sa appointment
would have been made by that funetonary TO succeed
him. with In all probability no QUALIFICATIONS for the
place No body can know, il Mr.. WEBsrrE bad lief,
the Cabinet Of TYLEs when other members Of the
Cabinet did and left the Ashburton Treaty unhnshed
whether Il would ercr have been made; and Il 10,
made, where lives the man tina, can tell the consc-
quencesf
There then. selfsaerifes on the psrt Of Mr..
WEBsrxR, Of most rare occurrence The petty salary
and the petty honor Of holding 10 his place few
months longer Secretary OF State. had nothing to do
with the resolve Of Mr. wEBsrEz To remain In that 20
ston. No, not was the Psrsa PafriO'isr-sas pro
JovsG<s rinse Of dry which when put in the balance
outweished all the odum. and all the !oss Of political
power and party friendship that were brought agains, IL
Mr. wrbsrxR dared In defence Of all 10 DO AIS dHfy
and be did Il gloriously. Jrsrrrn
" Ohio will be City years old (sincc he'