Jefferson Territory

[citation needed] Occupied primarily by Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians with few white settlers, the county was never organized.

[3] Kansas, with a growing divide between the eastern commercial centers and the central agricultural populations, had concerns over how the gold rush and the influx of miners to the Rockies could shift the base of power from the northeastern side of Kansas to the mountainous region in the west of the state.

In the meantime, Hiram J Graham, the local delegate to Congress, had successfully introduced a bill to establish a new territory in Pike's Peak Country.

The original authors determined to hold another convention on October 3 to draft a provisional constitution for the Territory of Jefferson.

The formation of a provisional government was approved by a vote of 1,852 to 280 and the following officials were elected:[4][7] On November 7, 1859, Governor Robert Williamson Steele opened the first session of the provisional Jefferson Territorial Legislature in Denver City with the following proclamation: Let us then enter upon our duties with a determination of spirit that conquers all difficulties: working for the benefit of the whole commonwealth, encouraging moderation and conservation in all our acts, that we may never be ashamed of having taken an humble part of the organization of a Provisional Government for the Territory of Jefferson.During this first session, the legislature organized 12 counties.

[4] Governor Steele called the second session of the provisional Jefferson Territorial Legislature to meet at Denver City on January 23, 1860.

Governor Steele pointed out that many gold seekers were working claims in remote areas and estimated that the total number of people in the Jefferson Territory was 60,000.

These events eliminated any chance for federal endorsement of the Territory of Jefferson and any role in government for Governor Steele, a staunch pro-Union Democrat and vocal opponent of Lincoln and the Republican Party.

While the federal government refused to sanction the Jefferson Territory, it had effectively acknowledged the eastern border of the region.

[9] On May 29, 1861, William Gilpin, newly appointed Governor of the Territory of Colorado, arrived in Denver City.

On June 6, 1861, Governor Steele issued a proclamation declaring the Territory of Jefferson disbanded and urging all employees and residents to abide by the laws governing the United States.