PREFACE
AT the time of Daniel Webster's death in October of 1852, his papers were for the most part at Marshfield, though some had been left in the State Department and in his rooms in Washington. An attempt was evidently made within a month to issue a volume of the letters, for Edward Everett wrote to Webster's son, Fletcher, on November 3, urging him to enjoin the Harpers not to print his father's letters. A postscript added that Mr. Lanman, who had been Webster's private secretary, should be dissuaded from any publication. A few days later Mr. Everett, writing from Washington, informed Fletcher Webster that the letters, papers and pamphlets in the State Department belonging to Webster would be boxed at once and forwarded to Marshfield. He requested that his letters to Webster, if found among the papers, should be returned to him. After these letters were sent North, Mr. Abbott, who had been Webster's amanuensis, received permission from President Fillmore to make copies of the semi-official correspondence between himself and his ex-Secretary of State. This manuscript was also added to the mass of the Webster papers.
By the will of the deceased, four literary executors had been appointed: Edward Everett , George Ticknor, C. C. Felton and George T. Curtis were to receive Webster's papers and determine their disposition. Within sixty days they began energetic efforts to get the letters of which no draft or copy had been kept. Cards were sent to a large number of persons known to have had correspondence with Webster. Many responded with copies of the desired letters, or sent the originals to be copied. Thus far the work of preserving the memory of the great statesman was well and efficiently done.
The will had provided for the literary remains in the following manner: "And I direct my son, Fletcher Webster, to seal up all my letters, manuscripts, and papers, & at a proper time to select those relating to my personal history & my professional and public life, which, in his judgment, should be placed at their
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