WATERGATE became the
catch-all title for all things corrupt in government during Richard Nixon’s
administration (1968-1974). The
precipitating act from which all the dirty tricks of the Nixon administration
became known was the Watergate break-in when a small team of men were caught
inside the Democratic Party’s headquarters during the 1972 presidential
campaign. They had been sent there to install bugs and wiretaps. Many abuses of
power became known through subsequent investigations. Rose Mary Woods was Nixon’s
long time, loyal secretary. During the Senate investigation,
Americans learned of a taping system in the White House, which had recorded
many private meetings, including those exposing Nixon’s obstruction of
justice. While Woods was transcribing a
portion regarding a significant conversation, she “accidentally” erased 18
minutes. Nixon resigned rather than face
formal impeachment and likely conviction in the U.S. Senate.
JACK DREYFUS, founder of
Dreyfus Funds, was a good friend and financial supporter of Nixon’s.
TRICIA NIXON COX, one of
Nixon’s daughters, vigorously defended her father during Watergate and
following his resignation.
We’re offering a superb
three-piece assemblage involving Mrs. Cox and Ms. Woods in their defenses of
Nixon, along with a copy of a letter from Dreyfus thanking Woods for a copy of
the statement Cox made to Ladies Home Journal.
TLS, on White House
stationary, April 5, 1974, just four months before Nixon’s resignation, Woods
wrote to Dreyfus: “Tricia Nixon Cox has written an exceptional article entitled
‘My Father and Watergate’ which is carried in the current issue of Ladies Home
Journal. I am enclosing a copy for you (statement included). It is my feeling
that you will find Tricia’s statement to be an eloquent expression of how a daughter
views her father during this particular time.
I know you will feel, like I do, that it is a moving, meaningful
article. Yours Sincerely, Rose Mary, Executive Assistant and Personal Secretary”
The 3 pp, typed
statement, as expected, is a highly defensive argument of her father. In very
small part, she writes, “…What is Watergate? Seven men broke into a political headquarters
to try to tap its phone. Now whoever envisioned this silly little foray was
very stupid. We all know Richard Nixon to be anything but stupid. The people
who planned this were dishonest. Richard Nixon is a man who has never lied, not
even a white lie, to his family or to the American people. He has told us that
he was not part of the Watergate episode, calling it a deplorable act that has
no place in our political system. His word is his bond…” Much, much more.
The third item is a carbon copy of a
letter from Dreyfus, dated April 19, 1974, thanking Woods for sending “Tricia’s
article…You know my feelings are with her.”
Light toning, staple holes to the Woods’ letter and the statement. Some
toning and chipping to the Dreyfus letter.
Everything we sell is guaranteed authentic forever to the original
buyer. We also offer a 30-day return policy. If you discover a problem or are
dissatisfied with an item, please contact us immediately. Our goal is please
every customer. We are pleased to be members of The Manuscript Society,
Universal Autograph Collectors Club and The Ephemera Society. [P106]