Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 8.djvu/97

 Reminiscences of Daniel Webster.

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��REMINISCENCES OF DANIEL WEBSTER.

By Hon. George \V. Nesmith, LL.D.

��The following is a copy of a letter originally addressed to Rev, Mr. Savage of Franklin, N. H. The original is dated October 10, 1852, fourteen days before the decease of Mr. Webster. It was dictated to his Clerk, C. J. Abbott, Esq. It was the same letter that gave rise to the humorous anecdote, so well related by Mr. Curtice in his Biography of Mr. Webster, vol. 2, page 683,

We now present tins letter to the public to show how worthily one of the last days of Mr. Webster was employed. In this case he presented a Peace Of- fering to old friends, which proved ef- fectual in preventing a severe litiga- tion and consequent loss of money and friendship :

"Marshfield, Oct. 10, 1852.

My Dear Sir : I learn that there is likely to be a lawsuit between Mr. Horace Noyes and his Mother respecting his father's will.

This gives me great pain. Mr. Parker Noyes and myself have been fast friends for near a half century. I have known his wife also from a time before her marriage, and have always felt a warm regard for her, and much respect for her connexions in Newburj'port. Mr. Horace Noyes and his wife I have long known. Her grandfather. Major Nathan Tay- lor, late of Sanbornton, was an especial friend of my father, and I learned to love everybody upon whom he set his Stamp.

These families during many years have been my most intimate friends and neighbors when- ever I have been in Franklin. It would wound me exceedingly if any thing as a Lawsuit should now occur between Mother and Son. It would very much destroy my interest in the families, and whatever might be the result, it could not but cast some degree of reflection upon the memory of Parker Noyes. I know nothing of the circumstances except what I learn from Mr. John Taylor, and I do not wish to express any judgement of my own as to what ought to be done, at least without more full information,

��but I do think it a case for Christian Interces- sion. And the particulai object of this Letter is to invite your attention, and that of the members of the Church, to it in this aspect Mr. Noyes is understood to have left a very pretty property, but a controversy about his Will would very likely absorb one half of it. My end is accomplished, my dear Sir, when I have made these Suggestions to you. You will give them such consideration, as you think they deserve. It has given me pleasure to hope that I might write half a dozen pages respect- ing Mr. Parker Noyes, and our long friendship, but I could have no heart for this if a family feud after his death was to come in, and over- whelm all pleasant recollections.

I dictate this letter to my clerk, as the state of my eyes preclude me from writing much with my own hand.

Yours with sincere regard,

Dan'l. Websteil Rev. Mr. Savage

Franklin, N. H."

This interesting letter produced the happy effect of reconcihng the contend- ing parties, and bringing about an hon- orable and satisfactory settlement of all difficulties between them. The letter was timely, bringing healing in its wings. Here were "words fidy spoken, like apples of gold in pictures of silver ; " to the parties it soon was the voice from the dead, " proclaiming peace on earth, and good will towards men." As ad- viser and counsel of the mother, my o\vn exertions for peace had proved im- potent, but the letter of the eminent dying statesman, containing the sal- utary advice of an old friend, proved irresistible in its influence, and brought to the troubled waters immediate quiet, without resort to the Church or other legal tribunal.

Mr. Webster made allusion to the honored name of Taylor, then of San-

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