816. JOHN JACOB ASTOR (1763 - 1848) American fur trader and financier, Astor grew to become the dominant fur trader in America and built a fortune from investments in government loans and real estate. L.S., 1p, 4to., [n.p., 1834], to Secretary of War Lewis Cass regarding the appointment of an Assistant Quartermaster at Prairie du Chien, WI. Signature portion removed at some point and expertly restored, else very good.  $1,000 - 1,200