But his real work came to an end with the correspondence with General Cass at the close of 1842, and in May of the following year he resigned the secretaryship.

In the two years during which he had been at the head of the cabinet, he had done much.

His work added to his fame by the ability which it exhibited in a new field, and has stood the test of time.

In a period of difficulty, and even danger, he proved himself singularly well adapted for the conduct of foreign affairs,--a department which is most peculiarly and traditionally the employment and test of a highly-trained statesman.

It may be fairly said that no one, with the exception of John Quincy Adams, has ever shown higher qualities, or attained greater success in the administration of the State Department, than Mr.Webster did while in Mr.
Tyler's cabinet.
On his resignation, he returned at once to private life, and passed the next summer on his farm at Marshfield,--now grown into a large estate,--which was a source of constant interest and delight, and where he was able to have beneath his eyes his beloved sea.