An Address to the New York Historical Society, February 23, 1852.

ONE OF WEBSTER’S LAST SPEECHES ‘ON THE DIGNITY AND IMPORTANCE OF HISTORY’

8vo., plain paper wraps lettered in black, sometime disbound; upper cover with borders in black; pp. [v], 6-57, [iii]; a few spots and marks to covers; some residue from previous binding to spine; spotted and toned throughout; good. 

A rare pamphlet by the American lawyer and secretary of state, who served under presidents William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, and Millard Fillmore. This copy inscribed by the author to the front cover “Ezra Lincoln, Esq. / with my best regards / Daniel Webster.” 

Daniel Webster (1782-1852) was one of the most prolific lawyers of the 19th century, who argued over 200 cases before the supreme court over the course of his career. A member of the Federalist Party (of which he was also a leader), the National Republican Party, and the Whig Party, he was a fierce opponent of the War of 1812, and in 1823 he became a key supporter of President John Quincy Adams.  In 1836 he unsuccessfully ran in the presidential election, and was then appointed secretary of state, where he negotiated the Webster–Ashburton Treaty, settling border disputes with Britain. 

The present work was published in the same year that Webster once again unsuccessfully sought the Whig presidential nomination in the presidential election. In it, he focuses on political institutions, the evolution of governance from ancient history to the United States Constitution, and defends the Union. Webster died just a few months later, in October 1852. 

SKU: 1800199