March 15, 1850
“What if Daniel Webster has betrayed the cause of liberty, bent his supple knees anew to the Slave Power, and dishonored the State which he was sent to Congress faithfully to represent? Is he Massachusetts — and, as he moves , is she to follow, even to the lowest depth of moral degradation?….” then there is a call for people to sign a memorial to the legislative bodies of the state, asking that they make it clear that they do not endorse Webster.
Synopsis of Webster’s Speech
1. To admit three or four more slave States from Texas.
2. He will not vote for the Wilmot Proviso, because “it would be a wanton and
useless attack upon the feelings of the South”.
3. The restoration of fugitive slaves is a “solemn constitutional obligation upon the
North…”
4. He “is willing to settle the question of the disputed territory of New Mexico by paying
Texas for the surrender of her claims.”
March 22, 1850
The speech by Phillips occupies almost one-half of this edition of the paper.
March 29, 1850
There was a “Great Meeting in Faneuil Hall”,with a “large concourse of citizens”.
Speakers include Samuel E. Sewall, Esq., Theodore Parker, Wendell Phillips, and a letter from Hon. Charles F. Adams is read.
The same edition carries notice of public meetings in Upton and Plymouth County and Essex County, in which Webster is criticized.
April 5, 1850
Under the Refuge of Oppression column, commendations of Webster’s speech are printed, from the Boston Courier, the Charleston Courier, Norfolk (Va) Herald, Mobile Daily Advertiser, The Richmond Whig, and the Richmond Compiler, and from Thomas Ritchie, of Virginia, and Edmund Burke of New Hampshire.
April 5, 1850
Dated March 1, from Boston, Fairbanks gives an account of his trial, imprisonment, and freedom. He expresses gratitude to people of the city, indicates an intention to write a book about his experience, hopes for opportunities to speak, and indicates that letters can be sent to him in care of Lewis Hayden.
April 5, 1850
Report of a crowded meeting at Belknap Street church, protesting Webster’s speech. William Nell presents resolutions against Webster; others present include
Coffin Pitts, John Hilton, George Washington, Henry Thacker.
April 12, 1850
Under the Refuge of Oppression column, titled The Late Satanic Speech of Daniel Webster, there is an Approval of the Speech!, from the Boston Daily Advertiser,
April 2nd . Also, addressed to “The Hon. Daniel Webster”, is a letter of enthusiastic endorsement of Webster, signed by 56 men. Then a notation, which may/may not be a part of the letter, indicating that other signers are Moses Stuart, Leonard Woods, Ralph Emerson, (Of the Theological Institution at Andover !!!!) Jared Sparks and C.C. Felton, (President and Professor of Harvard University!) and 700 others.
April 12, 1850
From the New York Herald is an article about the death of Calhoun, which raises the question of who shall be his successor as “great man of the South”. “We are persuaded, from recent events, that the only man who can succeed Mr. Calhoun in the admiration of the South, is the distinguished Senator from Massachusetts –even Daniel Webster himself —provided he moves rightly hereafter…..The death of Mr. Calhoun leaves a vacant intellectual niche in the South, and we are persuaded that Daniel Webster is the only man who can fill it adequately.”
April 12, 1850
“Father Mathew arrived at New Orleans March 24th, and was enthusiastically received. – O course!”
April 12, 1850
John M. Spear writes to Garrison, informing him of the number of people who have signed petitions to the Massachusetts legislature, advocating the Abolition of Capital Punishment. He lists 59 towns, indicating the number of people in each town who signed, a total of 5,618 people. He indicates that he has been informed that an additional petition, from Nantucket, included twelve hundred signatures.
