in the United States.  The history of Mr. Van Buren’s administration, in its main features, is that of a vain struggle with a hopeless network of difficulties, and with the misfortune and prostration which grew out of this wide-spread disaster.  It is not necessary here to enter into the details of these events.  Mr. Webster devoted himself in the Senate to making every effort to mitigate the evils which he had prophesied, and to prevent their aggravation by further injudicious legislation.  His most important speech was delivered at the special session against the first sub-treasury bill and Mr. Calhoun’s amendment.  Mr. Calhoun, who had wept over the defeat of the bank bill in 1815, was now convinced that all banks were mistakes, and wished to prevent the acceptance of the notes of specie paying banks for government dues.  Mr. Webster’s speech was the fullest and most elaborate he ever made on the subject of the currency, and the relations of the government to it.  His theme was the duty and right of the general government under the Constitution to regulate and control the currency, and his masterly argument was the best that has ever been made, leaving in fact nothing to be desired.

In the spring of 1839 there was talk of sending Mr. Webster to London as commissioner to settle the boundary disputes, but it came to nothing, and in the following summer he went to England in his private capacity accompanied by his family.  The visit was in every way successful.  It brought rest and change as well as pleasure, and was full of interest.  Mr. Webster was very well received, much attention was paid him, and much admiration shown for him.  He commanded all this, not only by his appearance, his reputation, and his intellectual force, but still more by the fact that he was thoroughly and genuinely American in thought, feeling, and manner.

He reached New York on his return at the end of December, and was there met by the news of General Harrison’s nomination by the Whigs.  In the previous year it had seemed as if, with Clay out of the way by the defeat of 1832, and Harrison by that of 1836, the great prize must fall to Mr. Webster.  His name was brought forward by the Whigs of Massachusetts, but it met with no response even in New England.  It was the old story; Mr. Clay and his friends were cool, and the masses of the party did not desire Mr. Webster.  The convention turned from the Massachusetts statesman and again nominated the old Western soldier.

Mr. Webster did not hesitate as to the course he should pursue upon his return.  He had been reelected to the Senate in January, 1839, and after the session closed in July, 1840, he threw himself into the campaign in support of Harrison.  The people did not desire Mr. Webster to be their President, but there was no one whom they so much wished to hear.  He was besieged from all parts of the country with invitations to speak, and he answered generously to the call thus made upon him.