His private affairs were in disorder, and required his immediate attention.

He threw himself into his profession, and his practice at once became active, lucrative, and absorbing.

To this period of retirement belong the second Bunker Hill oration and the Girard argument, which made so much noise in its day.

He kept himself aloof from politics, but could not wholly withdraw from them.
The feeling against him, on account of his continuance in the cabinet, had subsided, and there was a feeble and somewhat fitful movement to drop Clay, and present Mr.Webster as a candidate for the presidency.

Mr.Webster, however, made a speech at Andover, defending his course and advocating Whig principles, and declared that he was not a candidate for office.