The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-09-16
The ..Priva,e Life Of Daniel webster -

iel Webster is about to be issued and the let
ters given below are from advanced sheets of
it. They were addressed chiefly to members
of the family of Mr.. Seaton, one of the vener-
| able editors Of the National Intelligencer:
| The first is brief, but as il relates to State
paper which made great impression al the
| time, it will be read with interest. The day
| before the famous Hulsemann letter was
| transmitted to Congress, Mr.. Webster sent it
| to Mr.. Seaton to read After it was returned,
| and the morning it was to be sent to the
| Senate. ii occurred to Mr.. Seaton that the
word "patch,s applied to 4 great empir e.
would appear rather undiplomatic. or be-
meath the dignity of such a State paper, and
| like attempt TO beiittle an adversary gov
| ernment, and therefore he dispatched note
to Mr.. Webster, sugges ting, if not TOO late the
| substitution of another word. He received,
| by his messenger, the following reply
'The deed was done, before got your note
| but patch means small piece of ground
| ride Webster.-ride Shakespeare, in Hamlet.
| ID. W."
| And with what exquisite grace did MI
| Webster, in the following epistle solicit from
| his friend a present of choice wine
''Impart your portion to the poor,
In money. and IN meat;
'And give the starving, hungry soul,
OF that which you do''-dri1k.
My Dear Sir: We look for Mr.. Archer to
dine with us to-day, and he, you know, is
an irreclaimabe Sherry man. Now, it is a
lamentable fact, that in this house of Mr.
Burderies from garret to cellar, there is not,
of good Sherry wine.
''But further. There are, they say, some
things to be had for money, and other things
that can only be had for love. Now at this
present moment. there is in this city, and ia
regard to good Sherry-'no purchase in mo-
nfy- iti! as 10 the rest let imagination supply
'If single bottle should happen to make it's
appearance here this forenoon, l would give
it to Mr.. Archer with the air of a satisfied
host, nor whisper whence 1 stole the balmy
spoils.'
'Mr. A. was uncommonly fine on Wednes-
days
Ills shaft few three ard thrice
ihS - was sYanrs Saln;. w.
[*Alluding to a very able speech made by
Mr.. Archer, in Executive session.
Although Mr.. Websters dinners We're al
ways all that could be desired his invitations
We're oftentines quite original. Witness the
following for two separate days:
my Dear Sir:-A man in health, of bright
ana cheer1ul morning, generally feels happy
after what Lord Bacon calls san apt breakfast.
Such is my condition at the present moment.
There is consolation in an eXcelent herring, a
cup of coffee, and piece of toast.
81 have not heard from Mr.. Gales in answer
to note sent him yesterday. But expect
the whole lntelligencer to dinner, to-day at 4
O'CLOCK "Your, struly,
"DAN'L WEBsTER.'
"lIy Dear Sir We are 5 of us here who
were of Gen. Harrison's Cabinet. We dine to-
gether at my house. on Thursday, at O'Clock.
We have voted you in Z. NJ. Genl in the
place of Mr.. Granger you must come. If you
are engaged at lis, or.elsewhere, you
must get Oft and come to us. II is quite an un-
erpscted matter ofbuSineSS.' We can take no ex-
cuse. Yours, ID. W.
Hear him when signing for a little recrea-
tion -
my Dear Sir l shall be. inerita5iy, de-
tanned here some days longer; so l find, and
am tired. Can we go shoot tomorrow or
| fish or drive or do anything! Is there any
body to go with us Pray invent something
ifyou can. Pray invent some ething--or shall
plunge. ID. W."
But Mr. Webster's notes were not always
frolicsome, rs the two following, on totally
different subjects, will prove
JAN /. 40
''1Iy Dear Sir: rely onyou for tomorrow,
at O'Clock l put the hour thus early in hopes
of catching Mr.. Macready, for an hour or TWO,
before he goes to his readings
'HuZza for Republican liberty in France =
The mere image,-the empty idea of Imperial
Power, preferred to real, experienced, well
tried talent and public virtue!
Il greatly fear trouble in Europe. 1t is
more than even chance, that war VIII break
out on the Austrian question; and this French
election VIII add new fuel to the popular
heats, in Germany and Prussia.
Yours, truly, ID. WEBSTER"
"NEw YORK, March 81. so.
"Dear Sir: am Il good deal beset here, for
shall be equally so when / reach Boston,
Pray put my unhappy case before MI Grou-
ard.*
II found great panic here The article in
the National lntelligencer of Saturday
struck like a thunderbOlt. 1t is regarded us
doing the highest credit 10 the paper, both for
honest patriotism and ability. The alarm is
now subsiding, under confident feeling that
the Senate may be relied on.
81 go to Boston Tomorrow or next day,
| leaving Mrs. w. here. 1 hope all are happy at
Sd. WEBSTER
l*Foreman printer in the office of the lntelli-
genccrl
The writer has been enabled to procure for
his little book Of agreeable personalities the
two following notes, addressed to ladies who
We're among Mr.. Websters most intimate
friends. The second one will explain itself
but the first needs word of introduc tion-
The young lady to whom it was addressed had
been spending social evening at Mr.. Web
sterS house. and on account OF the rain had
subs tituted Il borrowed hood for her own bon
net, and the note in question was delivered
with the bonnet at the residence of the lady,
by Mr. Webster, while driving TO his office the
next morning.
ssHy Dear Josephine l fear you got IA wet
ting last evening, as it rained fast soon after
you left our door, and l avail myself of the
return OF your bonnet, TO express the wish
that you are well this morning, and without
cold.
II have demanded parlance. with your bon
net; have asked it how many tender looks 1t
has noticed TO be directed under 1t; what soft
words it has heard, close to its side; in what
instances air of triumph has caused it to
be tossed; and whether, ever, and when, it has
quiyered from trembling emotions, proceed
ing from below. But it has proved itself a
faithful keeper of secrets, and would answer
none of my questions. 1t only remained for
me to attempt to surprise 1t into Confession,
by pronouncing sundry names, one after
another. 1t seemed quite unmoved by most
of these, but at the apparently unexpected
mention of one, thought Its flDbanQS CecI-
dedly fiuttered.
81 gave it my parting good wishes; hoping
that it might never cover an aching head, and
that the eyes which it protects from the rays
OF the sun, may know no tears, but those OF
Joy and affection.
"Yonrs, dear Josephine. with affectionate
regard, "DANL. WEBSTER.
'sMiss J. SEAToN.
"a happy New Year to you, dear Mary.
have the sincerest good wishes for you, your
aunt and Josephine, to the full mum Der and
amount of 976Si35267s25SU2i1 the whole of
which l send over this morning.
"At Christmas, received an elegant article
| for the equipage of the breakfast table 1t was
easy to guess whence it came. / thank YOU
| for it; it will be a pleasant morning memento,
and promise you, that you shall, always
''Be in my flowing cup freshly remembered
81 escaped, and but just escaped, q great
| fault, yesterday and great misfortune too
There came an invitation from your house for
| dinner on Saturday. So early note of pre-
paration indicated, l thought, large party
| made up, as l presumed, of black coats L
answered the note and declined the invita-
aches, engagements, &c. This note was sealed
and superseribed, and the boy was taking IL to
| carry over, when Mr.. O. suggested to me- what
l had not noticed, that Mrs s. was one of tha
l