Daniel Webster Pamphlet
Collection
Daniel Webster (1782-1852) was one of the most prolific and talented orators, jurists, and statesmen in American history. In his fifty-two years of public life, his orations defined constitutional law and established public policy on tariffs, secession and slavery. Webster was elected to the House of Representatives in 1822, the Senate in 1827 and 1845, and twice served as Secretary of State (1841-1843 and 1850-1852.) He is best known for his debates with Henry Clay on the Missouri Compromise and his personal compromise on slavery. Daniel Webster argued many cases before the Supreme Court, and gave numerous speeches on tariffs, public lands, banking, and constitutional law.
The Daniel Webster Pamphlet Collection consists of 132 documents, including published legal arguments, various public orations and discourses, speeches delivered by Webster on the floor of the United States House and Senate, and orations given by others about Webster and his life. The collection encompasses one of Webster's earliest orations (1801), and an extensive collection of eulogies delivered after Webster's death in 1852. The collection also includes Webster's most celebrated speeches, as well as his lesser-known orations. The collection is arranged in chronological order by the date of presentation or publication.
A printed inventory of the collection is available at the Maryland Room (view pdf version).
Items in the Daniel Webster Pamphlet Collection are non-circulating. Researchers may view the collection in the Maryland Room on the first floor of Hornbake Library, Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For Saturday usage of this collection, all materials must be reserved by 3:00 p.m. on Friday.
Email the subject area specialist or call (301) 405-9210 for more information.
