Atchison, David Rice (1807-1886) to James William Denver
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05574 Author/Creator: Atchison, David Rice (1807-1886) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 5 April 1850 Pagination: 2 p. : envelope : free frank ; 18.5 x 12.3 cm. Order a Copy
Reports the voting inclinations of several Missouri delegates to the Congressional Convention. Discusses the possible opposition of the Wilmot Proviso, but is confident that California will be admitted as a state. See collateral files for 1 November 1965 letter by Anne Atchinson concerning this letter. The Wilmot Proviso, named after Pennsylvania senator David Wilmot, was a congressional proposal in the 1840's to prohibit the extension of slavery into the territories. Imprint in upper left corner reads "Paris."
Denver served as captain in the Twelfth Regiment, United States Infantry, during the war with Mexico and moved to California in 1850. He was elected to the State senate in 1851, appointed secretary of state in 1852, and was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-fourth Congress. Atchison was elected to the Senate from Missouri to fill a vacancy and was reelected in 1849. He served from 14 October 1843 to 3 March 1855. He is often said to have been President for one day when Zachary Taylor refused to be inaugurated on a Sunday.
Calhoun is dead, therefore his want of popularity will be no longer in our way. Our old friend Genl. [Lewis] Cass has been released from his instructions to vote for the Wilmot proviso; indeed that proposition I think is dead. What kind of settlement of the slavery question will be made I can not tell.
But Calafornia will be admitted as a state, governments for the Territories without the proviso, a fugitive Slave Bill, etc.
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