Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-11-11

pondence accompanying the treaty. The
terms Of this important treaty were equal.
ly honorable and satisfactory to both par
ties.
Mr.. Tyler's cabinet was broken up 10
1912, but Mr.. Webster remained in OF
flee TIL the spring of lS43, being desir
Gus OF putting some other matters con-
nec!eG with our foreign relations i'm a
prosperous train. Steps were taken by
him in the winter of 1923, which led
to the recognition of the Independence of
the Sandwich Islands by the principal
maritime powers. His last official ac,
was the preparation of the instructions of
Gen. T.. Gushing, as commissioner for
negotiating treaty with China. With
the commencement Of Mr.. Polk's admin
.istralion, Mr.. Webster returned to the
Senate of the United States. He re-
mained member OF that body during
The whole OF the administration of Mr..
Polk, and till The death of Gen. Taylor.
Though unconnected with the executive
government, he rendered the most mater
ial service in the settlement of the Oregon
dispute. 1t has been publicly stated by
Mr.. M'Gregor, the distinguished member
Of parliament for Glasgow, that a letter
written 10 him by Mr.. Webster and
shown to the British ministers, led them
TO agree to the adoption of the line
Of boundary which was established in lS
As. Mr.. Webster opposed the Mexican
war Oh principles; and In the full persua-
sion, which events have confirmed, that
acquisitions of territory would disturb The
balance of the Union, and endanger its
stability. lie, however, concurred In
granting the supplies which were requlr-
ed for the efficient conduct of The war.--
His second son, Maj or Edward Webster,
with the entire appreciation of his father,
accented commission in the Massachu-
sets regiment of volunteers, and sunk
under The exposures of the service M
Mexico. He was IL young man of great
promise. In conformity with MIR. Web
ser's an,icipalions, the acquisition OF
Mexican territory led to agitalions on the
subject of slavery, which, during the
years of ls49-'50, seriously threatened
the Union.
The question whether slavery should
exist in California seemed likely 10 lead
to the renewal of the Missouri controver.
sy, aggravated by all the bitterness which
has grown ou, OF the struggles of the last
is years. Mr.. Webster entertained the
most serious apprehensions Of an mau-
spicious result. The convention of the
people OF California having unanimously
adopted resolution by which that ques-
tion was disposed OF, without The Interier-
ence of Congress. Mr.. Webster con.
ceived the hope that, by mutual conces-
sion OH other and less important points,
the harmony of the South and North
could be restored, and severance of the
Union averted. With a view to this
consumma.ion, he made his great speech
of March z. 1850. A very powerful in-
huence was exer,ed by this speech ON the
public mind. While the debates on what
have been called the "compromise meas
ures" were IN progress In the Senate,
Gen. Taylor died. The Chair of State
was assumed by President Fillmore, who
Immediately called Mr.. Webster to The
Department of Stale. His administration
of The office, which he snl fills July So
has been marked with characteristic abil
ity, made in diiieren parts OF the Union,
he has enforced the great duty OF mutual
CONCESSION, in reference 10 ,he sectional
controversy which has SO seriously a
larmcd the country. In December, $50
the famous Hulsemann letter was written,
to which Kossu.h has applied the eplshei
Of ..immorlal." IN the course OF pas,
year, Mr.. Webster, by his firm and ju-
dicious manner of treating the Cuba ques.
ton, obtained of the Spanish Government
the pardon oi the followers OF Lopez.
who had been depor,ed to Spain.
About the same time, he received from
the English government an apology for
the interference Of British cruiser with
an American steamer IN the waters ol
Nicaragua. This is the second time that
the Brnish government has made sinl-
lar concession al The instance of Mr.. Web
sier. The first was in reference TO the
destruction OF the "Caroline," At Schlos-
ser. Ii has been affirmed that these are
the only occasions on which the British
government has eve, apol,glzed for The
conduct OF its affairs. Mr.. Webster's
inelleclu-l efforts have not been conf.
ned to politics. He has filled place
second to none of his coiemporaries at
the American bar, and his discourses up
on various historical aud patriotic anni-
versaries are among the brightest gems
OF modern eloquence. Mr.. Webster has
paid much attention 10 agriculture. His
residence, when no, engaged in the pub
lic business, at Washington, is either at
Marshtield, in Massachusetts, or at the
place of his birth, in New Hampshire
He possesses large and valuable farms
in both places, stored with the choicest
breeds of cattle, aud cultivated by the
most improved methods of husbandry.
The works Of Mr.. Webster have been
lately published in six volumes, 8vo.with
biographical memoir by Mr.. Edward
Everett, from which the proceeding sketch
has been for the most part extracted.
I.I feel moaned dying cobler,