AUGUST BELMONT II - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 11/06/1916 - HFSID 47120

AUGUST BELMONT, JR. (1853-1924)
Regarding the whereabouts of the papers of his grandfather, Commodore Matthew C. Perry.
Typed Letter Signed: "August Belmont", 1p, 8x10¾. 43 Exchange Place, New York, 1916 November 6. To William Elliott Griffis, Esq. In full: "I have received your letter dated October 31st. The papers of my grandfather are scattered, naturally, among the heirs. I have no doubt that Rear Admiral John Rodgers, retired, who lives at Zion Hill, Havre de Grace, Maryland, could give you information as to what his branch of the family have. With regard to my own branch of the family; I think that what Mrs. George Tiffany did would constitute all that could be done now. So far as the so-called 'squadron papers' are concerned; personally I have none of them. Possibly my brother Perry, who lives in Washington, may be able also to help you. I will call his attention to the matter when I see him on his return from Hot Springs." The patriarch of the family, August Belmont, had married Caroline Slidell Perry, the daughter of Commodore Matthew C. Perry, in 1849. August, Jr. was one of their sons, as was Perry Belmont, who served in Congress. Commodore Perry's sister, Anna, married Commodore George Washington Rodgers, brother of John Rodgers, a ranking officer in the War of 1812, so the Belmonts, Perrys and Rodgers were closely related. The "grandfather" Belmont speaks of is Commodore Matthew C. Perry, his mother's father. The "squadron papers" may relate to the Africa Squadron commanded by Commodore Perry, sent to suppress the slave trade in 1843. The recipient of this letter, WILLIAM ELLIOTT GRIFFIS, wrote the biography, Life of Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry, a Typical American Naval Officer, which was published in 1887. Folds, light vertical fold touches flourish of "t" in August. Fine condition.