May 1861

My Dearest Uncle,

Our agent Augustus Belmont is of a most despicable breed. He has engaged in politics that I simply cannot abide by it. New Court abhors slavery of all kinds, and there is no doubt American slavery is the most inhumane, despicable of forms of slavery on this plant. The southerners commit crimes against morality every day, and Belmont’s Democratic party care naught for it.

I demand that we send one of our own to straighten out our position and holding in the United States. I believe my brother Anthony to be a good candidate. Anthony’s help has been instrumental in London, but my sons are coming of age and can take on more of the load. He is the man with the political and financial ability to set our affairs in New York straight. I would, however, entertain other candidates, but we must replace Belmont.

Sincerely,

Lionel de Rothschild

James Rothschild knew there was money to be made in New York, especially with war breaking out. He remembered how his father had made their fortune during the Napoleonic wars. Generally, James opposed funding wars, lest the family suffer anti-Semitism. However, across the Atlantic circumstances of the America war were such that it was unlikely that would occur. Additionally, James was increasingly unhappy with how Augustus Belmont demanded autonomy.

Besides that, as Lionel pointed out, Augustus Belmont had strongly allied with the Democrats. His once important political connections may prove more of a liability as the North gets more divided and in favor of Republicans. His father in law is an even leading successionist and Belmont may become a political liability, rather than an asset. Besides, the family tended to favor the liberal policies of the Republican party. James decided to send a letter to Lionel.

Dear Nephew Lionel,

I agree with your position. I have lost faith in Augustus Belmont. He keeps his books closed to us and has heavily involved himself in politics. While our family certainly does not refrain from politics, I feel being a northern Democrat will put Belmont on the outs in both the North and the South.

I further agree that Anthony is the right candidate for the job. If he reports back to me once a month, I will support his taking over of our American interests.

Sincerely,

James de Rothschild

Anthony was both excited and nervous to travel to America. From what he’d heard the comforts of New York were not exactly up to par with London. However, he would do his family proud, and perhaps expand his legacy. This opportunity may even sprout into a fully-fledged New York House equal to their houses in Paris, London, Vienna, Frankfurt, and Naples.

June 1861

Anthony arrived in New York on a hot June day. While not the uncivilized pit he had built up in his head during his weeks of travel. It certainly was no London either. Matters were not helped by the uneasiness of the war. It certainly seemed that Anthony had his work cut out for him.

Anthony and his entourage made their way for Augustus Belmont & Company to present themselves. Naturally, Belmont was not there himself, as he rarely dealt with banking these days. His political career was the impetus for sending Anthony after all. When they arrived, they presented James’s letter. Anthony was to take over all Rothschild interests in the firm. Interests between the Rothschild and Belmont are to be considered terminated. With that done Anthony took the Rothschild interests out of Belmont’s hands and across the street to a new office where A.N. Rothschild was founded earlier in the morning.

With the business with Belmont concluded Anthony set out the task of making sense of Rothschild interests in the United States. It became clear that Belmont had done well but was simply on a much smaller scale that the business Anthony was used to dealing with in New Court. Most of the holdings were state bonds and minority stakes in some railways across the north. After getting these small affairs in order Anthony set out to the task at hand. He had been given substantial capital to expand the American business and take advantage of the war, £2 million in total, with promises from London, Paris, Frankfurt, and Vienna that they stood by ready to subscribe major reputable loans, especially to the federal government. Anthony, Lionel, and James were determined to prove themselves their fathers equal and use this American war to surpass his accomplishments of the Napoleonic era.