Daniel Webster letter to Francis Brown, 10 January 1819

Boston, January 10, 1819.

DEAR SIR, A letter came to me to-day, addressed to you, bearing the Hanover postmark. As it was not superscribed in a lady's hand, I presumed it might relate to the common cause, and might be intended to communicate information important for me to have. I therefore opened it. It was from Mr. Shurtleff, containing some little account of movements on the other side. I do not think it necessary to send it back to you.

I have nothing new to say. No public or general opinion seems to be formed of the opinion of any particular judge. I hope no judge, if he has formed an opinion, will communicate it, or hint what it is ; inasmuch as it would commit him, which would be likely to make him more tenacious, and so be worse for us, if his opinion should be against us, or it might diminish the weight of his opinion upon others, if it should be in our favor. I hope the judges will come together without its being known at all what opinions any particular judge may have formed.

I have received the records from Mr. Farrar, and I believe am prepared with aU necessary papers. The book of memoirs I shall not carry. Dr. Perkins can lend me one, if I should want it.

If any thing new occurs before I leave home, I shall write you. You may expect early and frequent intelligence from Washington. Very truly, yours,

D. WEBSTER.