IN REVERENT MEMORY
OF MY FATHER
JOHN L. GRIFFIS
AND OF MY GRANDFATHER
JOHN GRIFFIS
WHO AS
MERCHANT NAVIGATORS AND COMMANDERS OF SHIPS AND MEN
at the ends of the earth
CARRIED THE FLAG AND EXTENDED THE TRADE
OF THE YOUNG REPUBLIC
THIS BIOGRAPHY OF HER GREATEST SAILOR-DIPLOMATIST
IS INSCRIBED
BY THE AUTHOR