Financier and philanthropist who helped found the Gulf Oil Corporation; he also served as treasury secretary under Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover. TLS signed "A. W. Mellon," one page, 8 x 10.5, The Secretary of the Treasury letterhead, August 27, 1921. Mellon writes his predecessor, William G. McAdoo, concerning Treasury matters. In full: "In accordance with the request which you made of Mr. Cocksey in your letter of August 10, I enclose a copy of a communication approved by the President July 3, 1918, which you sent to the French Premier, Mr. Clemenceau, in reply to his cable of June 9, 1918. As to the memorandum which you request of the action you took at that time, I enclose photostat copies of the correspondence between the representatives of the French Government and the Treasury Department. I send these to you in confidence, so far as I am concerned. I believe it proper to respond to your request for them because of your previous official relation thereto. They deal with international relations. Whatever use of them you make on your own responsibility in the future will be controlled, of course, by your own good judgment as to the public interest." Light creasing, wrinkling, and a few spots of soiling, otherwise fine condition.
The end of World War I brought with it delicate financial concerns, most notably a concern by US leaders, including President Woodrow Wilson and then-Treasury Secretary McAdoo, that French officials wanted their debt to America canceled. Although French leaders never asked to be relieved, the president and his treasury secretary were aware of their intentions. Here, three years after the Great War ended, the United States continued-at the highest levels- to recoup money from France. Scarce correspondence as two top presidential advisors discuss events, with direct references to President Wilson and French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau. RRAuction COA.
