Daniel Webster

Daniel Webster served twice as Secretary of State, from 1841 to 1843 and from 1850 until his death in 1852. A New Hampshire lawyer who later represented Massachusetts, he became prominent through constitutional litigation, congressional speeches, and opposition to state nullification of federal law. William Henry Harrison first brought him into the cabinet, and he remained after John Tyler succeeded to the presidency. ¹

His central negotiation with Lord Ashburton produced the 1842 Webster-Ashburton Treaty. It settled the disputed Maine boundary, established extradition arrangements, and provided for cooperation against the Atlantic slave trade. Disagreement with Tyler over Texas annexation helped bring his first secretaryship to an end. ¹

Millard Fillmore returned Webster to the department in 1850. He supported the Compromise of 1850, including enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Law, while continuing to promote trade and improve British relations. His response to the Austrian chargé Johann Georg Hülsemann defended American interest in Hungarian independence in language that sharply criticized European monarchy. At the same time, he defended Spain’s right to resist private American expeditions against Cuba. Webster died in office as the administration was developing plans to expand commerce in East Asia. ¹