Editing Dartmouth College v. Woodward (section)

==Background==
In 1769, [[King George III]] of [[Great Britain]] granted a charter to Dartmouth College that spelled out the purpose of the school, set up the structure to govern it, and gave it land. In 1816, over 30 years after the conclusion of the [[American Revolution]], the [[New Hampshire]] legislature altered Dartmouth's charter in order to reinstate the College's deposed president, place the ability to appoint positions in the hands of the governor, add new members to the board of trustees, and create a state-controlled board of visitors with veto power over trustee decisions. This effectively [[Nationalization|converted the school]] from a [[private school|private]] to a [[Public university|public institution]]. The College's book of records, corporate seal, and other corporate property were removed. The [[Board of Trustees of Dartmouth College|trustees of the College]] objected and sought to have the actions of the legislature declared unconstitutional.

The trustees retained Dartmouth alumnus [[Daniel Webster]], a New Hampshire lawyer who later became a [[U.S. Senator]] for [[Massachusetts]] and [[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]] under [[President of the United States|President]] [[Millard Fillmore]]. Webster argued the college's case against William H. Woodward, the state-approved secretary of the new board of trustees. Webster's speech in support of Dartmouth (which he called "a small college," adding, "and yet there are those who love it") was reportedly so moving that it helped convince [[John Marshall|Chief Justice John Marshall]] and almost brought Marshall to tears, according to the later recollection of attendant [[Chauncey A. Goodrich]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=WILSON |first=CARROLL A. |title=Daniel Webster and Dartmouth {{!}} Dartmouth Alumni Magazine {{!}} April 1943 |url=https://archive.dartmouthalumnimagazine.com/article/1943/4/1/daniel-webster-and-dartmouth |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=Dartmouth Alumni Magazine {{!}} The Complete Archive |language=en-US}}</ref>