Life of Daniel Webster - Vol. 1

MR. WEBSTER'S LIFE AT PORTSMOUTH--BIRTH OF DANIEL FLETCHER --GREAT FIRE IN THE TOWN--CONGRESS OF 1813-'14--RESOLUTIONS ON FRENCH DECREES--MILITARY TRIALS FOR TREASON-- ENCOURAGEMENT OF ENLISTMENTS--MODIFICATION OF THE EMBARGO--REPEAL OF THE RESTRICTIVE SYSTEM--DOMESTIC MANUFACTURES--PRACTICE IN SUPREME COURT--RETURNS HOME.

MR. WEBSTER reached his home in Portsmouth, from the special session of 1813, at about midsummer, and immediately resumed his usual avocations. His children were now two--Grace, who has been mentioned in the last chapter, and Daniel Fletcher, who was born July 23, 1813. Of his life at this time, we have already had some reminiscences from the pen of Mr. Ticknor.

The summer and autumn passed on as usual, but in December he was again on his way to attend the regular session of Congress, leaving Mrs. Webster and the children at home. While he was on this journey, a great conflagration swept over a considerable part of the town of Portsmouth, and his house was burnt, with others. The house had been purchased by Mr. Webster a short time before, for the sum of six thousand dollars. In addition to its furniture, his library was also lost; and, as there was no insurance on any part of the property, all that he had of worldly goods was completely gone. Mrs. Webster and the children found a temporary home in the family of

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