The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-12-01
WEBsTER's INSURANCE ANECDoTE.

Daniel Webster said, that some time after
he commenced the practice of his profession
in Boston, d circumstance occurred which
forcibly impressed upon his mind the some
times conclusive eloquence OF silence, and he
wondered no longer that the anelents had
erected a statue to her rs a divinity
A man in New Bedford, Mass, said MIR.
Webster. had insured y ship, lying at the
fine at a wharf there, for an amount much
laroer than its real value, in one of the Bos-
ton insurance offices One day, news arriv-
ed in Boston that this ship had suddenly
taken fire. and been burned to the waters
edge 1t had been insured in the Massachu-
seets Insurance Company, of which General
Arnold Wells was president, and Mr. Web
ster the attorney
General Wells told Mr.. Webster Of the
misfortune that had happened to the com
panv, in the loss Of a vessel SO largely msur
ed communicating to him, at the same time,
the somewhat extraordinary manner in which
it was destroyed.
..Do you intend" asked Mr.. Webster, ito
pay the insurance ?'
II shall be obliged to do so,' replied the
general.
81 think not for have no doubt from the
circumstances attending the loss, that the
ship was set on fire, with the intent to de-
fraud the company Of the insurance.
But how shall we prove that ? and what
shall we say to Mr., when he makes APP
plication for the money!
Say nothing" replied Mr.. Webster, ''but
hear quietly what he has to say"
Some few days after this conversation, Mr..
- came up to Boston and presented him.
self to General Arnold Wells, i'll the insur
o% Nv a aorntni
of his personal appearance and punctilious
demeanor. He powdered his hair, wore
clean ruffles and we'll brushed clothes, and
had gravity of speech becoming person
OF respectable position. All this demanded
civil treatment; and whatever might be
thouc ut of him, one would naturally use no
harsh language toward him. He had de-
feet in his left eye. so that, when he spoke,
he turned his right and sound eye to the per
son he addressed, with a somewhat oblique
angle of the head, giving it something such a
turn as a hen who discovers a hawk in the
air General Arnold Wells had a correspond
ing defect in his right eye.
II was not present at the interview" says
Mr. Webster, ''but have heard it often de-
scribed by those who were. General Wells
came out from the inner office on the an
nouncement of Mrs arrival, and fixed
him Ito use a French expression) with his
sound overlooking at him seriously, but
calmly Mr. looked at General Wells
with his sound eye, but not steadily-rather
as if he thought to turn the generals right
flank
They stood thus, with their eyes cooked
ut each other for more than a minute before
either spoke; when Mr. thought it best
to take the initiative
1T is a pleasant day, General Wells,
though rather cold
IL is as you say, Air. pleasant
though rather cold day" replied the general,
without taking his eye down from its range,
Il should not be surprised, General" con-
timed Mr- ''f we should have fall Of
snow soon.o
There might be more surprising circum-
stances. Mr. than a fall of snow in Feb
ruary'
Mi thereupon shifted his foot and top
ic. He did not feel at ease, and the less so
from his desperate attempts to conceal his
embarrassment.
"'When do you think, General he inquir-
ed, after q pause, that Congress will adj
lourn ?''
at is doubtful l should think, Mi,
when Congress will adjourn; perhaps not for
some time yet, as great bodies, you know,
move slowly"
"'Do YOU hear anything important from
that quarter, General?'
"'Nothing, Mr.-.'
"Mr.-by this time had become very
dry in the throat-a sensation, | have been
told" says Mr. Webster, cone is very apt to
feel who finds himself in an embarrassing
position, from which he sees no possibility OF
escape. He feared to advance, and did not
know how to make a successful retreat Al
last, after one or two desperate and inetfect-
ual struggles to regain self-possession, find
ing himself all the while within point blank
range of that raking eye, he wholly broke
down and took his leave, without the leas
allusion to the matter of insurance.
"He never returned to claim his money