Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-03-31
sale OF Daniel Webster's Estate.

| A correspondent Of the Evening Post gives an
interesting account of the sale at auction Of the
Marsheld estate Of the illustious Daniel Webster,
from which We extract the following:
"A large strip of land on the northeastern bound.
ary of the farm was sold in lots, having been laid
out for village. This, being at the mouth OF
Green Harbor the only nAyigable outlet TO the sea
In Massachusetts, for many miles, is very desira-
BILE place for fishermen and Others but heretofore
the owners Of the land have been unwilling TO sell.
A part of Webster's farm viii therefore be occu-
pied, in all probability, by large and thriving
town.
I" Ii should be remembered that the entire Web
ster estate at Marshfed, purchased by him at diff
ferent times from 1882 10 1851, in portions vary
ing in extent from SO rods to 1913 acres, cost orgi-
naly $50, 399 26. That part of the estate, not
covered by the marriage settlement, cost $lS,-
O25 OF. II was sold to-day for $4,000. None OF
the lands disposed Of to-day are part ofthe original
estate which consists of the house and lands ada
cent, amounting TO 800 acres This still remains
in the hands of Mr. Fletcher Webster, Mrs. Daniel
Webster, his second wife, now surviving, having
relinquished her claim for the sum of $S6, 1000,
settled upon her by some friends of the late Mr..
Webster. Mr.. James w. Paige, Mr. Webster's
kinsman, purchased to-day about l16 acres, 30
that, in all, four hundred and thrtysx acres, In
GLIDING the Mansion house and the neighboring
buildings, may be said to be in the family Of the
late owner.
a The entire liabilities of the estate of Mr.. Web
ster at his death, were about $4,000. His farm
in Franklin, New Hampshire, which was lately sold
for $4,000, together with his Marshfeld and
other property, would probably yield twenty-five
cents on the dollar. His will, the assurances OF
certain gentlemen, that his estate should be pre-
served intact to his descendants, was made US il
no incumbrance rested upon it. Fortunately, the
mortgage Of $4,000 on Marshfeld has been re-
moved within the past year, 30 that there can be
no doubt that the original estate will, according
to Mr.. Webster's wishes, remain in the possession
of his family.
by marriage settlement, a life-estate in 1t was
secured to Mrs Webster, which, on her death with
out children goes to Mr.. Websters heirs. 1t is
true, Mr. Webster, by his will, left Marshfeld as
part of his estate in the hands of trustees but the
court will, without doubt, decide against his right
to dispose of it, as conflicting with the provisions
of the marriage settlement Mr. Webster's right,
title, and interest whatever it be, in Marshfeld,
was bought to-day for 5000, by Mr.. Paige, rela-
tive; so that the title Of the heirs under the mar
riage-settlement is not likely to be contested, ex
cept by an amicable suit for their benefit. If how
ever, their title should be overthrown, of course,
Marshfeld would have to be sold for the satisfac-
ton of the creditors of Mr.. Webster for the vari
Gus friends who were so profuse in their promises
at the time of his death, have shown either no
ability or no disposition to avert such result"
The same correspondent relates TO the following
anecdotes of Mr.. Webster:
In speaking of Mr.. Webster's strength, !
ought to mention his wrestling accomplishments,
which have hardly had justice done to them. He
excelled as boy in this respect, and even within
a few months of his death could send man much
heavier than himself spinning to the ground. His
juvenile experiments with his comrades on his
fathers hay-mow may have conduced to such a
facility in this serviceabe art. However that may
be, 1t proved source of confidence and protection
to him, even among the fre-eaters of Washington.
Though repeatedly threatened with personal vio-
ence he never felt the necessity of going armed,
averring, that before man could raise his hand
to strike he could trip him and knock him sense
less.
"During the time of South Carolina notification,
SO great was the excitement in Congress that almost
every northern Congressman with the exception
of Mr.. Webster, wore arms. He himself was
vastly amused when, one day at dinner party in
his house, dozen members Of Congress, including
in the number Mr.. Edward Everett whom he had
invited as guests, came to him in great trepidaton,
each one supplied with brace of pistols, asking
him for drawer for their safe keeping during the
entertainment.
Sin 1915, Mr. Webster's courage was tested by
q challenge, of which, believe, Mr.. Benton was
the bearer from John Randolph of Roanoke, who
had taken umbrage at some remarks made by the
former on the sugar tax.
Ellis reply was short, but courageous and to the
point, declining the challenge-denying the right
Of Randolph to demand an explanation, but declar-
ing his ability and purpose to punish any one who
should in any way presume upon the fact Of his
refusal to fight duel Mr.. Benton subsequently
wrote to Mr.. Webster, requesting the publication
of the correspondence, but the permission was
withheld. Further letters passed between them
on this matter so late as the year 1850, which are
still preserved among the Webster papers,"
We had always supposed that the difficulty be-
tween Mr.. Webster and Mr.. Randolph arose from
some remarks made by the former in the House Of
Representatives, upon a letter written by Mr..
Randolph, and dated "At Sea-" in year 1928 or
1924. Mr.. Webster was not in Congress in 1916.
|
The Arrest of MIR. Thompson in Cuba. Il
A letter in the Express, dated Havana, March
%, gives the follawing account Of the imprison-
ment and liberation of Mr.. Thompson, acting Con-
sular Agent of the United States at Sagua Ia
Grande:
"Our government win find new cause Of CON-
plant against Spain in the treatment Mr.. Thomp-
son, our Consular Agent, has received at Sagua.
Mr.. j. p. q. Thompson has been acting as Con-
sular Agent at Sagua under our Consul at Trinidad
de Cuba Mr.. McCrea Some short time since Mr..
Thompson-was sitting in his Office at Sagua, when
he was interrupted by the entrance Of one Of the
city guards, who insolently ordered him to take
down the American arms, which hung upon the
wall above him. Mr. Thompson Indignantly re-
fused-the celador' insisted, but with no effect
Mr.. T. was firm. Fifteen minutes we're allowed
our agent for reflection, at the expiration Of this
time he was TO decide between the removal Of the
colors from the wall, or his own removal to Ha-
vana.
Fifteen minutes pass quickly, under such cir
cumstances but they sufficed to decide Mr.. Thomp-
son In leaving the eagle upon the wall, and upon
leaving himself for Havana. Accordingly, two hours
later be found himself on his way, under the guard
of two celadors,' prisoner
upon his arrival here he called at once upon
our consul Mr.. Robertson, always accompanied by
his two guards, and laid the matter before him.
Now, Mr.. Thompson had made one mistake. He
had legally no right to place the escutcheon upon
the walls Of his house but this had but little 70
do with the insult offered to an American official,
our consul proceeded at once TO represent the
before the Captain General.
~ - 1-( L.