Looking Over Daniel Webster's Foreign Policy Record

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Daniel Webster: Served as U.S. Secretary of State from 1841-43, 1850-52. Also served in the House of Representatives and the Senate

Personal Characteristics: Charismatic, commanding, trustworthy, diplomatic

Description by Contemporary: When speaking of other famous men like Lord Palmerston, Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun, etc., one of Webster’s contemporaries said “yet not one of these approached Mr. Webster in the commanding power of their personal presence. There was a grandeur in his form, an intelligence in his deep dark eye, a loftiness of his expansive brow, a significance of his arched lip, altogether beyond those of any human being I ever saw.” 

Description by Author: Outside of Daniel Webster’s reputation as one of the greatest U.S. Secretaries of State to live, he was also “known as one of the greatest lawyers, orators, and politicians of nineteenth-century America, and he possesses an equally outstanding reputation as a diplomatist.” 

Opposition to Slavery: Daniel Webster was known to be a man of his convictions. The perfect example came when he first served as Secretary of State under President John Tyler, in which Tyler forwarded the annexation of Texas. This move, which furthered not only the issue of slavery, but relations with Mexico, forced Webster to resign out of disgust with the move, highlighting his integrity.

The International Context: 

The Opium War: The war between Britain and China in which Britain fought to maintain the sale of the drug opium, was a vicious conflict that saw Britain victorious. Following this, Britain took Honk Kong as a colony and forced China to open up to global trade, shifting the dynamic in Asia.

European Pressures on Hawaii: This would eventually become an issue that America would be all too familiar with, especially Daniel Webster. However, as European powers increasingly desired to gain global colonies, Hawaii soon appeared on the list. States like Britain and France had major forced relations with the Hawaiians, which eventually forced the U.S. to intervene in order to protect its interests, basically an extension of the Monroe Doctrine.

Japanese Modernization: Following a visit from the U.S. Commodore Perry, Japan elected to modernize its entire society sometime during the period of 1852-54. This started during the end of Webster’s life, but was also a major factor in the increasing importance of Asia around the globe.

Key Foreign Policies: 

The Anticipatory Attack Doctrine: The idea of this Doctrine is to order an attack in anticipation of an attack, basically a preventative measure. Webster used this Doctrine in tandem with the Caroline incident, attempting to find out whether an attack was necessary or not, which forced an apology from the British and Lord Palmerston. An expected move by a savvy foreign policy veteran.

Self-Defense and Conservatism: Webster’s desire for self-defense and conservatism was the basis for his actions in many aspects of his life. He gained his expertise of law from Christopher Gore while learning about the War of 1812, which drove many of his opinions, such as arguments with Palmerston in the Caroline affair and his doctrine of self-defense. 

Disapproval of War: This is possibly best highlighted during Webster’s time serving as a Congress, in which he was one of fourteen Senators who voted against the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. His reasoning was based on the United States’ desire for conquest and expansion, making it an unconstitutional war that would hinder national unity and promote further expansion. 

Positive Achievements: 

The Webster-Ashburton Treaty: The context surrounding this Treaty is crucial, as Daniel Webster was a Whig who served under a President with no true political leanings, but held Democratic principles, which was compounded by an entirely Democratic cabinet outside of Webster. This fact makes Webster’s actions and expertise shine even brighter than one would originally think. To ensure the Treaty’s passage in the Senate, Webster skillfully maneuvered through territorial issues with Maine and Massachusetts, offering $150,000 to each state for their troubles, which was not included in the original Treaty. (Ibid, 62) Furthemore, this move was also done to gain support for the Treaty from those serving said states in Congress, allowing for its passage.  

The Caroline Affair: This incident created tense relations between Britain and the United States. The Caroline was a ship that was searched and seized by the British in an attempt to curb the American’s use of the slave trade. During this scuffle, one American was killed, stoking outrage in the States. Following this, Alexander McLeod, the Canadian held responsible, was arrested by the state of New York The possibility of war if McLeod were executed was relatively inevitable. Webster’s knowledge of domestic and international law allowed for him to use his skills to accurately assert that McLeod’s actions were under the discretion of Britain, making it an issue between the U.S. and England, not New York and England, Eventually, McLeod would be found not guilty, and a major crisis was narrowly avoided, thanks in part to Webster’s quick actions. 

The Mcleod Law: Following this incident, Webster’s influence directly caused the passage of the McLeod law, which “empowered U.S. district court and Supreme Court justices to issue writs of habeas corpus when foreign nationals were held for acts committed under the explicit authority of their governments.” This law would ensure greater peace in international conflicts if a situation such as the Caroline affair were to once again arise. 

Reassertion of Tyler Doctrine: This Doctrine, crafted by both Webster and President Tyler, is the proclamation of protecting Hawaii from predatory foreign powers, defining Hawaii as under the “American sphere of influence,” effectively making this assertion an extension of the Monroe Doctrine. During Webster’s second stint as Secretary of State under Millard Fillmore, Webster revived this Doctrine. Furthermore, Webster added to his accolades by crafting crucial foreign policy, not only in the Pacific with Hawaii, but with East Asia and Japan, as he established rules and instructions for trips to China in 1843, as well as Japan in 1851 With that being said, Webster’s conservatism shined through once again, as he did not want for the U.S. to take Hawaii as a colony, even though America’s relationship with the island became continuously closer to stave off foreign intervention.

Negative Drawbacks: 

Not Serving Long Enough: During my research for this report card, I became astounded at how much of an impact Webster had on American foreign policy in such a short period of time, one of which was much quieter relative to other eras of American history. The only negative thing that I found could truly hamper Webster’s grade was his time serving as Secretary of State. I wonder what more he could have accomplished if he continued fighting back against President Tyler rather than resigning. His choice was admirable, but his continued presence would have been invaluable. Besides this, Webster had a tremendous career that is still seen even in modern times with the use of  his Doctrine of self-defense in situations like the Nuremberg Trials. 

Final Grade: A+/ I stated in my first report card with John Quincy Adams that I figured an A+ would be extremely difficult to come by in future reports. Yet, here I am once again. Daniel Webster had a tremendous career in both stints as Secretary of State. His value in situations like the Caroline affair, the Webster-Ashburton Treaty, relations with Hawaii, etc., most likely would not have worked out as well for the U.S. if Webster were not leading policy making in said situations. Webster’s contributions in such a short period actually push him above John Quincy Adams, in my eyes. This is an unequivocal A+.

References:

1. “Daniel Webster,” in Robert Remini, Daniel Webster: The Man and His Time (New York: W. W. Norton, 1997), 27-28.
2. Kenneth Shewmaker, “Daniel Webster and American Conservatism,” in Graebner, ed., Traditions and Values: American Diplomacy, 1790-1865, 129-151.
3. “Webster-Ashburton Treaty,” in W. Stull Holt, Treaties Defeated by the Senate (Union, NJ: Lawbook Exchange, 2000), 61-62.
4. Kenneth Shewmaker, “Commercial Expansion in China, Hawaii, and Japan,” in Major Problems in American Foreign Relations, 4th ed., vol. I, Thomas Paterson and Dennis Merrill, eds. (Lexington, MA: D.C. Heath, 1995), 309-30.