Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-04-24
WHO is THE AUTHOR OF THE HUIsEMANE
LETTER.

To the Editor of the N. Y. Tribune:
SIR: The attempt to deprive Mr.. Webster
Of the credit OF the authorship Of the cclebHxxed
letter addressed to the Chevalier HSiscmann,
may DO illustrated, IL not explained, by tho fol-
lowing case, which has p0t been reported
Ia 1916, a large claim to lands in the Lake
Superior mineral district was rejected by the
Secretary vi War, and nm appeal was taken
from his decision 10 the President. The Pres
idcnt Mr., Polk referred it to tho Attorney
General The Sccrctafyof War Mr.. Marcy
defended his decision in an elaborate, written
argument, which was answered by the clnsm-
ants attorney. The Attorney General Mr..
Mason desired the opinion Of Mr. Webster,
and requested mo, as the attorney Of the claim
ants, to obtain il for him.
accordingly called upon Mr.. Webster, aud
gave him a full history Of the case. IL was
early in the morning of the day previous TO his
great speech in vindication OF himself against
the Ingersoll calumnies. Mr.. Webster stated
the strong and controlling points in the case
referred me to various authorities, and specified
with great particularly the order in which tho
points should be stated, and the precise Ian
guage to be employed He did this verbally,
and desired me to write il out and submit il to
him for correction. did 40, and called again
X,
a. orally expressed the previous morning. He
carefully examined it and made some nih cor
rcctions in tho language, cs thought. For
instance, had used tho expression action oil
the Government v--he said that was an ex-
preston that has come into use during the last
twenty years, and that tho correct and more
significant expression was, proceedings OF the
Government After making his corroctions,
and amusing and instructing mo exceedingly
by his dissertations upon languages, AID the
most appropriate and forcible usc thereof, he
directed me to make fair COPY; which was
done and he signed and enclC ed il in an en-
yolope addressed to the Attorney General
which delivered, and he proceeded to the
Senate Chamber and delivered his scathing
and crushing speech against Charles Jared
Ingersoll.
Now, il is possible that, in the course Of polit-
ical events this opinion may become Of vast ma
tionsl Importance and that to be the rcputed
author thereof may win distinguished consid-
Grafton. Mr.. Webster is dead, and tho original
draft of that opinion is in my handwriting and
in my possession, and could make very plan
sible claim Of authorship. Whereas tho truth
is, ii is wholly and entirely tho opinion OF Mr..
Webster, and not the lcss 80 because my hand
held the pen that made the draft.
And 20 in tho case Of the Hulsemann letter.
MIR. Webster was n~cll at the home OF his
childhood in New Hampshire he communion
ted fully and freely with his intimate and dis
tinguished friend, MIR. Everett, and requested
him to make the draft. MIR. Everett did 30,
and then Mr.. Webster corrected, approved,
and published it. | submit therefore, leo COM
pare small with great things,) whether it be
not probable that the Hulsemann letter IL as
much tho production Of Daniel Webster--wbol-
ly and entirely 80, although drafted by Mr..
Evcrctt--as Is the legal opinion referred TO,
which was drafted by myselfs OrsKGo.