TLS as president, two pages, 7 x 8.75, White House letterhead, May 12, 1948. Truman writes to Maury Maverick in San Antonio. In full: “Your letter of May seventh is a most interesting document. I read it very carefully and I am certainly sorry if anybody in the White House has been discourteous to you. I am sure that remarks at cocktail parties are not to be taken with any degree of belief because usually it is the cocktail that talks—not the man. You are wrong about the old F.D.R. people—they have been cordially invited to take a hand in things and instead of doing that they organized a political party of their own—held a convention in Pittsburgh and completely disagreed. They’re like the famous story of the Irish Band—it has always been said that you could never have an Irish Band because every member wants to be a leader and that is what the trouble is with the so-called F.D.R. people, who started at the top and who never polled a precinct or became elected in their lives—a great bunch—at least they’re great on ballyhoo. I have never seen anything about the irritable, petulant and angry President—you probably have been reading Walter Winchell and Doris Fleeson—they are not really reliable reporters, you know. I am sorry that you are not friendly with General Marshall—he will probably go down in history as one of the great men of our era, not because he was the chief military brains in winning the war, but, because he is also a great statesman and diplomat. You seem to be the only one I’ve heard from who has the opinion that we are not on friendly terms with our southern neighbors. I think we are. Of course, I may be misinformed, I only have the regular diplomatic channels through which to get information and it may be some people on the outside, who are not on the inside in the special channels, know more than I do. I am happy that you got your beef off your chest and I hope that the next time you come to Washington you’ll come in and see me because I am very sure nobody has barred the door against you’re [sic] coming in.” Maverick (1895–1954), a Democratic congressman from Texas from 1935 to 1939, was best known for his staunch support of FDR and his fierce independence from his party, which ultimately proved deleterious to his political career. A subtle hint of marginal soiling and a small, unobtrusively repaired tear to blank portion of second page, otherwise fine condition. Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
