The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-12-25
From The Nrw York Journal Of Commerce, Dec 90.
The Webster Annuity.

From The Nsp York Journal Of Commerce, Dec. 20.
The Webster Annuity.
We have the pleasure of laying before our read
ers to- day the interesting correspondence between
the late Hon. Daniel Webster and Hon. David
Sears, of Boston. the subject of the annuity pre-
sented to Mr.. Webster by his Boston friends This
annuity has been the occasion Of much remark
and OF some censure on Mr.. Webster during his
lifetime, the injustice OF which the correspondence
shows; but Mr.. w. was too proud spirit to vim
dictate himself, and preferred to leave il to pos
terity to do him justice. While he chose TO remain
SILENT parties interested did not feel authorized TO
speak out But the time has now come TO clear
his fame OF all aspersions. and hold up to man.
kind for their emulation the nobeness Of his char
scter In all its brightness Something also is due
to the contributors to the fund as well 10 Mr..
Webster, and their motives entitled to be vim
Dictated well his; for to this day they have
rested under the opprobrium Of having bribed tho
greatest statesman Of their country, Yet their
hearts were conscious of the purity of their gift,
and the honest, straightforward purpose they had
in view; and they rested satisfied with the frank
ness and good feeling with which it was received
and evil report, had faithfully aborsd for his whole
country, knowing neither East nor West, nor
North nor South:
BosToN, March 81, 1916.
DEAR SiR: j have the honOrrt to inform you that
there Ia now deposited in the Massachusetts Hos
ptal Life Insurance Company, on special contract,
the sum of THIRTY SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS.
Your friends, whose names enclosed, have
tute fund, under the supervision of Messrs. Will
liam Amory Ignatius Sargent, and David Sears,
r. The income will be subject to your order semi.
annually, and when not called for will be added to
the principal to increase the income appropriated
to your use.
This fund has been created freely and cheerfullx-
by your friends, in evidence of their grateful sense
OF the valuable services you have rendered to your
whole country. They have done 1t without your
81 notion or knowledge, and with some reason to
imagine that their purpose might not be entirely
acceptable to you.
But they have been moved in this matter by no
common feeling.
Government grants nothing beyond the salary
OF ofce for services rendered; and the
rom the highest positions, frequently obliged
to return to the labors of their early lfe and our
venerable judges, even OF the Supreme Court of the
nation, after Years of toll left in their old age
poor and unprovided for. Your friends in Boston,
DESTROYS In your particular to ward of these
evils, and furnish you with supply for your flu
ture wants, have determined to show on their part
at least, decided preference for nent pro-
vision, and to offer you in this way prop to sus-
tain you hereafter
They are now numerous and strong, and. with
few exceptions, the same who for five and twenty
years rallied around you with minds firm and
active, and with hearts warm and grateful. But
Time will do its work on all of US. and when in
creasing age shall have rendered labor irksome to
you, and growing infirmities call for repose,
where may then be your friendse Most of them
probably IN their graves, and the few that remain
without the influence. and perhaps without the
ability, to serve you. These considerations have
been conclusive with the gentlemen who act with
me. All were agreed that 1t was best to do now
what they might not be able to do hereafter.
In their behalf, therefore. have the honor re-
spectfully to offer you the above nputy of thirty
seven thousand dollars; hoping that, II it be not
desirable at present, it may hereafter tend to the
comfort OF your advancing years, and serve to re-
call 10 your mind this last united effort of YOUR
friends, whose hearts were with you, and who
were anxious, while they had the power, honoru.
bly, and truly to assist and serve you.
With great respect and CO isideration, YOUR
obcdient servant and friend,