The increase of senators, which was, of course, the object of the South in annexing Texas and in the proposed additions from Mexico, he regarded as destroying the balance of the government, and therefore he denounced the plan of acquisition by conquest in the strongest terms.

The course about to be adopted, he said, will turn the Constitution into a deformity, into a curse rather than a blessing; it will make a frame of government founded on the grossest inequality, and will imperil the existence of the Union.

With this solemn warning he closed his speech, and immediately left Washington for Boston, where his daughter, Mrs.Appleton, was sinking in consumption.
She died on April 28th and was buried on May 1st.

Three days later, Mr.
Webster followed to the grave the body of his son Edward, which had been brought from Mexico.

Two such terrible blows, coming so near together, need no comment.