1802

"I have now no ambition for fame...."

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:550.00 USD Estimated At:1,100.00 - 1,400.00 USD
 I have now no ambition for fame....
Superb, profoundly moving A.L.S. of James William Denver, namesake of Denver, Colorado, to his wife, on their eighteenth wedding anniversary, looking back at their years together. Denver laid out the eponymous Western city, then part of Kansas Territory, of which he was Governor at the height of the slavery debate. His exciting life captured the flavor and excitement of America's formative century: A Virginia-born adventurer, he was a Shakespearean actor, fought in the Mexican War, and traveled overland to California early in the Gold Rush. A rapidly rising political star, he prevailed in an 1852 duel with a California critic, which in Denver's own estimation cost him the nomination for the Presidency. Fighting at Corinth in the Civil War as a Brig. Gen., his later visits to Denver were met with disappointment at the "little affection" shown him by the inhabitants of the city bearing his name. From his law office in Washington, D.C., Nov. 26, 1874, 7 3/4 x 9 3/4, 3 1/4 pp., signed "Will." To his wife. "I write you again on this the anniversary of our wedding day. Eighteen years have passed... eighteen most eventful years - eventful not only to us but to the whole world. We have seen many of the ups and downs of life in that time...If we have not obtained everything hoped for or desired, we have been much more successful than the great majority of people, both in honors and wealth, and certainly few have been blessed with more domestic happiness, which is worth more than honors and wealth. The only drawback to our genuine happiness has been the necessity that existed compelling me to be so often and so long away from you. I can truly say that there has never been a time when I for a moment regretted having asked you to cast your fortunes with mine. I may have disappointed you in not having achieved as much distinction as you could have desired, but you have never disappointed me...For your sake and for the sake of our children I wish that I could have achieved greater successes in fame and fortune, but Providence ordered it otherwise and I must be content...the greatest of all being that of a good wife and good children - blessings that few have in equal degree. I have now no ambition for fame, and my only desire is to provide for and take care of my family properly. If my children should turn out good and useful members of society I shall feel that I have not unworthily filled the position allotted me in life...In everything I have ever attempted to do I have tried...to do it better than any body else could do - to take good care of my good name - never for a moment to let there be a doubt of my integrity...and I trust no one has ever yet had to apologize for any thing I have ever done involving honor, integrity or fair dealing. These things may be of service to my sons to know as they grow to manhood. I have to go to take a Thanksgiving dinner with Mr. Kendall, M.C. of Nevada now...." Light dust-toning at blank top edge of p. 1, else very fine.