TLS signed “Jerry Ford,” two pages, 8 x 10.5, Congress of the United States letterhead, May 14, 1970. Ford, as House minority leader, writes a Grand Rapids, Michigan, voter. In part: “Please allow me to comment on your statement that we are ‘worse off’ as regards crime. This just does not happen to be true…First of all, the crime rate rose 11 per cent in 1969 but this was a sharp drop from the rate of rise we experienced all through the Sixties up to that time…If you will check the F.B.I.’s Uniform National Crime Report you will find that the rise in the crime rate has slowed not only in the big cities but also in the suburbs since Dick Nixon has been President. In addition, Mr. Nixon has sent 13 anti-crime bills to Congress. We need them all…As for Mr. Nixon’s property in Florida and California, he bought it with his own money. He, like other Presidents, is entitled to get away from Washington once in a while. I don’t understand how anyone can believe that Mr. Nixon or anyone else wants the Vietnam War to continue to keep the economy going. This simply is not true. We would be far better off economically, in the long run, if the war would end tomorrow. And, anyway, eve if this were not true I would want to end the war and do the best we could with our economic problems.” In fine condition, with some light scattered creasing and staple holes at the top left corner.
An interesting letter from Ford, still four years away from succeeding Nixon as Chief Executive, advocating the president’s right to personal time away from the job. He could not have possibly imagined at this time the series of events that would propel him from House Minority Leader, to Vice-President, and soon after to President. Even after attaining the presidency, Ford, while not excusing Nixon for his Watergate involvement, issued Nixon a full pardon, allowing Nixon and the country to move forward. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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