Western America
Pacific Steamship Company and Pacific Railroad Meet
(CALIFORNIA HISTORY + Congressman JAMES WILLIAM DENVER). The Pacific Steamship Company and Pacific Railroad Meet.
Two Autograph Letters Signed, in the hand of William H. Davidge, president of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, 3 pages and 1 page respectively, measuring 4.5" x 7" and 7.5" x 10", New York mailed to Congressman James William Denver, Choice Extremely Fine. These two Letters from the President of the Company to California Congressman Denver - Chairman of the Select Committee on the Pacific Railroad - concern Washington's involvement in the improvement of transportation to the new State of California. By the 1850's, the steamship companies, the railroads, and the United States government were all vitally concerned with speed, and the lack of it, with which news and people traveled between the Coasts.



1. October 3, 1856-Dated. He wishes Denver congratulations on his marriage, then states his business. "I was in Washington in your absence & saw Genl. Anderson but do not know what he has done, prompted by my talk. A letter which I wrote him a few days since has probably not reached him. I will be glad to receive from you any reflections - as to how my own matter can be promoted or the Rail Road Bill assisted...".



2. July 23, 1857-Dated. A proposition he had made has not been accepted - the matter is settled unless, "the Department" does something - but he has reported the thing as closed - and is sorry to trouble Denver about all this, but thinks he should know.



By the 1850's, the steamship companies, the railroads, and the United States government were all vitally concerned with speed, and the lack of it, with which news and people traveled between the Coasts. A popular joke of the period, in fact, was that the terms of the western members of Congress might expire before they even reached the District of Columbia - which would certainly be a shame, considering how much money the steamship companies and the railroads would pay them to do their bidding. (2 items)
JAMES WILLIAM DENVER, was a Representative from California; born in Winchester, Va., October 23, 1817; attended the public schools; moved to Ohio in 1830 with his parents, who settled near Wilmington; taught school in Missouri in 1841; was graduated from the Cincinnati Law School in 1844; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Xenia, Ohio; also published the Thomas Jefferson; moved to Platte City, Mo. in 1845, and continued the practice of law; served as captain in the Twelfth Regiment, United States Infantry, during the war with Mexico.



He moved to California in 1850; elected to the State senate in 1851; appointed Secretary of State in 1852; elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-fourth Congress (March 4, 1855-March 3, 1857); was not a candidate for renomination in 1856; appointed Commissioner of Indian Affairs April 17, 1857; resigned to become Governor of the Territory of Kansas June 17, 1857, and during his administration the present capital of Colorado (then Kansas Territory) was founded and named "Denver" for the chief executive; reappointed Commissioner of Indian Affairs November 8, 1858, and served until his resignation on March 31, 1859; was commissioned Brigadier General in the Union Army August 14, 1861; resigned from the Army March 5, 1863; resumed the practice of his profession in Washington, D.C., and Wilmington, Ohio; delegate to the Democratic National Conventions in 1876, 1880, and 1884; died in Washington, D.C., August 9, 1892; interment in Sugar Grove Cemetery, Wilmington, Ohio.



The Transpacific Pacific Mail Steamship Company carried the first 49ers to California - and, for the next couple decades, the heavily subsidized mail twice-a-month, as well. As a result of this and the high quality of its service - to say nothing of its incredible lobbying - the company became both an important part of the history of the American West and one of the most profitable enterprises of its era.



A popular joke of the period, in fact, was that the terms of the western members of Congress might expire before they even reached the District of Columbia - which would certainly be a shame, considering how much money the steamship companies and the railroads would pay them to do their bidding.