Beschreibung:

Manuscripts, documents, and personal ephemera related to Col. Francis S. Belton (ca. 1791-1861), a career US Army officer and veteran of the War of 1812, the Indian Wars, and the Mexican-American War. Collection includes approximately 70 documents spanning 1831-1902 (bulk 1840s-1860s); a field sewing kit, 4.25 x 3.25 x 1.5 in.; and an oval box with engraved nameplate "F. S. Belton," likely a travelling necessaire or collar box. Oval box, 7.75 x 4.25 x 2.75 in., wood-veneered case with red lining, interior French retailer's label from "Hebert / Palais Royal / Galerie de Bois No. 258," engraved nameplate 3 x 1.75 in. Archive is highlighted by nearly forty Mexican-American War documents, many of which pertain to the US military's occupation of Mexico City. Though lesser known than some of his contemporaries, Francis Smith Belton had a successful military career that afforded him close contact with many of the leading military and political figures of his generation. Born in Baltimore, Belton was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant of the First Light Dragoons at age twenty and two years later in 1814 he distinguished himself at the defense of Fort Erie during the War of 1812. Apparently possessed of a fiery spirit, Belton survived two court martials and continued to rise within the military ranks. He served on the staffs of numerous generals during the 1820s, was appointed Commander of Fort Morgan (Mobile, AL) in 1834, then was appointed Commander of Fort Brooke (Tampa, FL) in 1836 during the Second Seminole War. During the Mexican-American War, Belton was brevetted colonel "for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battles of Contreras and Churubusco." Belton was later appointed by General Winfield Scott as lieutenant governor of Mexico City during the US occupation. After the Mexican-American War, Belton served as commander at Fort Trumbull (CT) and was commissioned as colonel in the 4th Artillery Regiment. He died in Brooklyn, NY in 1861. The bulk of the archive relates to the military occupation of Mexico City. Acting as lieutenant governor of Mexico City, Belton had significant responsibilities for the administration of the city. According to a March 1848 copy letter written by Brigadier General and Military Governor Persifor Smith to Colonel Belton, Belton was "charged with the most laborious & important duties, not only those which properly belonged to your military character but those of the whole police magistracy of a city of 180,000 inhabitants...." Thirty-one documents offered here, most of which are in Spanish with handwritten notations on verso in English, reflect these responsibilities and present a fascinating glimpse into the military occupation of the city. Most of the documents date to the weeks and months just after the occupation, September - December 1847, and deal with issues such as property disputes, war dead, prisoners, and acts of violence and other illegal activity perpetrated by American soldiers. Often indicating "Referred to the Lieut. Gov." or similar notation, the letters include one from Spanish Minister R. Lozano de Armenta signed and dated September 22, 1847, with period notation on verso providing English translation,"Spanish Minister informing that the establishment of a French subject had been assaulted & part of the property robbed by a party of Americans." Other documents include a Sept 21 request that "permission might be granted to Luis Paramo to carry provisions to some prisoners at Chapultec"; a letter of Sept 21 from the minister of the Evangelio Province "informs that the Burying Ground of Santiago was at the disposal of the Amrs. to bury Catholics & not Protestants according to their Law"; and a letter of Nov 28 indicating that "Ignacio Esteves complaining that John Murphy A.C. 2 Arty refused to pay his work...." Additional documents related to the Mexican-American War include: printed copies of Butler's Orders #1 and #18, both signed by Asst. Adj. General Lorenzo Thomas, with #18 bein