Description:

James W. Denver
Sacramento, California, January 26, 1861
9pp. James W. Denver Letter Predicting the Civil War, Offered With a Second Manuscript
ALS
Extraordinary content, lengthy A.L.S. "J. W. Denver," 9pp. 7.75" x 12.25", Sacramento, California, January 26, 1861. Denver writes to Gen. P. H. Harris in dark ink on lined sheets, predicting the inevitable commencement of the Civil War -- which would start less than three months later. Very good to fine condition.

Offered with a second autograph manuscript (not signed), n.p., June 1861, on lined letterhead, also in very good condition.

The autograph letter signed reads, in part: "…I proceed to give my views in regard to the troubles at present existing in the Southern states of our Union and the course which I think ought to be pursued to restore harmony to the country. About these matters I have no concealments, and if any thing I can say or do will contribute in any degree to the preservation of our government and restoration of good feeling in our hitherto prosperous and happy country, I shall always be ready to respond. That we are surrounded by dangers the most threatening our country has ever yet encountered no one will deny. So long as the government was in the hands of a great national party there could be no real danger, but when it became evident that power was to pass into the hands of a sectional party who entertained opinions hostile to what the other section of country believed to be their constitutional rights, it is not to be wondered at that the very foundations of the government are shaken…The political issues of the past year belong to the past…The Democracy have [sic] been divided in this state because they differed as to the policy that ought to be pressured in order to avoid…The question now presented is not what shall be our construction of the Constitution, but how shall we maintain the integrity of our Union? Two effect this, two modes present themselves. The one is to insist on the construction given by the Republican party as to the power of Congress over the Territories and the manner in which they shall be exercised, and by physical force compel the submission of the southern people; and the other is to amend the Constitution in such a manner as to define specifically the powers of Congress over the Territories and over the question of African slavery…All accounts agree…in representing the people of the South as being almost a unit in the questions now agitating the community. A resort to the sword would inevitably drive the border slaveholding states to take sides with the extreme Southern states which would at once and forever terminate the Confederacy. Suppose however those states should be conquered? We cannot compel the people…to elect members of Congress. We cannot compel them to hold offices under the Federal Government…How then are they to be governed?...Let us turn to the Federal Constitution itself…Are we of the present generation less patriotic than our forefathers? Can we not imitate their example of moderation, of concession, of magnanimity?...God forbid! Let us then meet together in a spirit of harmony as did our forefathers…and amend the constitution so as to meet the emergency…The Southern people (whether right or wrong it is not now necessary to inquire), think that their rights have been invaded by the people of the northern states by a misconstruction of the Constitution…let the northern people remove these causes of irritation and I have no doubt but the southern people would readily and patriotically respond…The more ultra of the Republican party I know strongly urge coercion and seem to forget that their own conduct in passing their Personal Liberty Bills…differs only in degree from the conduct of the people of the South…But I doubt not that there is a conservative element even in the Republican party strong enough and resolute enough to throw aside false philanthropy for the African race in order to preserve this Government for the white race…California occupies a position in the Union at this time that would very well justify her in presenting herself as a mediator, and she cannot in my opinion pursue any other course with safety…The great mass of the people are eminently conservative. They love their old homes, their old friends, they love their whole country. There are few among us who would regard with any kind of favor a proposition dismember the Union, and I apprehend there are not many who would be willing to have the state take part in a war in favor of the north against the south, or of the south against the north…".

WITH: the second autograph manuscript penned after the outbreak of the hostilities which Denver predicted. In part: "…The foregoing was written at a time when it was believed that every thing could and would be settled peaceably and by the adoption of some compromise. The South has however chosen to precipitate a bloody contest by the uncalled-for attack on Fort Sumpter [sic] and other hostile acts, thus taking the first step to initiate practically the doctrine of coercion so long as they desired a full and complete recognition of their Constitutional rights. I was in favor of an unequivocal and authoritative declaration of the same; but when they declared their intention to set aside the Constitution and endeavored to destroy the Union of the States and the best government the world ever saw, I could see but one course left for any man who really had the good of his country at heart. No matter how much he may condemn the fanaticism of the North (which has been the chief cause of our trouble), he cannot approve the rebellion of the South.
My lot must be cast with the Constitution and Flag of my country. In acknowledge no divided allegiance. I am amenable to the laws of the state or municipality within which I reside, but my allegiance is due first to the National Sovereignty, which is represented by the President of the United States.

All the troubles heretofore predicted loom up in the greater magnitude than at first, but the die is cast and we must accept things as they are presented to us. I have done all that it was in my power to do to save my country from plunging into the gulf into which it is falling, and have, therefore, not to reproach myself with any dereliction of duty on that score. In the future I will endeavor to act as earnestly and disinterestedly as in the past, and trust to the kindness of an Allwise Providence to open the eyes of those deluded men who seem for the moment to have got control of affairs, but who heretofore have been known only by their turbulence and hostility to all government."

James W. Denver (1817-1892) was born in Virginia and moved with his parents to Ohio in 1830. He graduated from the law school at the University of Cincinnati in 1844 and was admitted to the bar. In 1847, he recruited a company for the 12th U.S. Volunteer Infantry, received a commission as captain, and served under General Winfield Scott. In 1850, he traveled to California and became a trader. After killing a rival newspaper editor in a duel in 1852, he was elected to the California State Senate. He served as California Secretary of State from 1853 to 1855, and represented California in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1855 to 1857. In late 1857, President James Buchanan appointed Denver as territorial governor of Kansas. During the Civil War, Denver served as a brigadier general in the western armies from 1861 to 1863. The city of Denver, Colorado, is named for him.

Between roughly 1855 and 1859, Kansans engaged in a violent guerrilla war between pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces in an event known as Bleeding Kansas, which significantly shaped American politics and contributed to the coming of the Civil War.

When the Civil War broke out, Denver sided with the Union and attempted to keep his California Democratic party united. On August 14, 1861, Abraham Lincoln commissioned Denver as brigadier general in the Union Army and, in November that same year, assumed command of all troops in the District of Kansas.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 7.75" x 12.25"
  • Medium: ALS

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