with his pen, altering some phrases, and writing new paragraphs of his own, but adopting Mr. Everett’s draft as the basis of the official paper; a purpose which he expressed to Mr. Everett on his return to Boston toward Washington.  Subsequently, when he had arrived in Washington, Mr. Webster caused a third draft to be made, in the State Department, from Mr. Everett’s paper and his own additions and alterations.  On this third draft he made still other changes and additions, and, when the whole was completed to his own satisfaction, the official letter was drawn out by a clerk, was submitted to the President, and, being signed by Mr. Webster, was sent to Mr. Huelsemann.[3]

There are, no doubt, passages and expressions in this letter which are in a tone not usual with Mr. Webster in his diplomatic papers.  How he himself regarded the criticisms that might be made upon it may be seen from the following note:—­

[TO MR. TICKNOR.]

“Washington, January 16, 1851.

“My dear Sir,—­If you say that my Huelsemann letter is boastful and rough, I shall own the soft impeachment.  My excuse is twofold:  1.  I thought it well enough to speak out, and tell the people of Europe who and what we are, and awaken them to a just sense of the unparalleled growth of this country. 2.  I wished to write a paper which should touch the national pride, and make a man feel sheepish and look silly who should speak of disunion.  It is curious enough but it is certain, that Mr. Mann’s private instructions were seen, somehow, by Schwarzenberg.

“Yours always truly,

“DANIEL WEBSTER."[4]

Department of State, Washington,
December 21, 1850.

The undersigned, Secretary of State of the United States, had the honor to receive, some time ago, the note of Mr. Huelsemann, Charge d’Affaires of his Majesty, the Emperor of Austria, of the 30th of September.  Causes, not arising from any want of personal regard for Mr. Huelsemann, or of proper respect for his government, have delayed an answer until the present moment.  Having submitted Mr. Huelsemann’s letter to the President, the undersigned is now directed by him to return the following reply.

The objects of Mr. Huelsemann’s note are, first, to protest, by order of his government, against the steps taken by the late President of the United States to ascertain the progress and probable result of the revolutionary movements in Hungary; and, secondly, to complain of some expressions in the instructions of the late Secretary of State to Mr. A. Dudley Mann, a confidential agent of the United States, as communicated by President Taylor to the Senate on the 28th of March last.