...from the state was passionately argued by Daniel Webster, in an oft-quoted speech before the court: This sir, is my case. It is the case, not merely of...humble institution, it is the case of every college in the land . . . for the question is simply this: Shall our state legislature be allowed to take that...

...A. Goodrich, who heard Webster's argument. When Webster had apparently finished, says Goodrich, he "stood for some moments silent before the Court, while...upon him." At length, addressing the Chief Justice, Webster delivered that famous peroration ending: "'Sir, you may destroy this little Institution; it...