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FORD, GERALD. (1913-2006). Thirty-eighth president of the United States. TLS. (“Jerry Ford”). 1p. 8vo. Rancho Mirage, CA, October 20, 1986. Written on his gold-embossed, personal stationery to Senator DANIEL PATRICK “PAT” MOYNIHAN (1927-2003).

Your very generous comment in the American Heritageinterview is deeply appreciated. I’ll do my damnedest to never disappoint you. As you know, I have always been indebted to you for your superb service at the U.N. during the Ford Administration. You turned things around against tough odds with your wise, discerning and aggressive actions on behalf of our nation. It was a job well done. Thanks so much. Warmest, best wishes…

Moynihan served under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson as assistant secretary of labor until 1965. Following a failed bid on the New York City Council, Moynihan became director of the Harvard–MIT Joint Center for Urban Studies.Despite being a Democrat, he was selected at the beginning of Republican Richard Nixon’s first term to be his counselor on urban affairs. In 1973, Nixon appointed Moynihan U.S. ambassador to India, the world’s largest democracy, with whom American relations had become strained. Moynihan went on to serve as ambassador to the United Nations where he was, among other things, an outspoken supporter of Israel. At the end of 1975, Moynihan attempted to resign citing a lack of support from the State Department. Ford dissuaded him from leaving his post but Moynihan felt that he was not able to speak out at the United Nations as he wished. His second resignation, offered on January 31, cited a return to his academic career as the reason for leaving his post. However, after several months of contemplation, Moynihan decided to run for the Senate, announcing his candidacy in June 1976. He was duly elected to the Senate representing New York and remained in office from 1977 to 2001.

Our letter refers to an interview with Moynihan that appeared in the October/November 1986 edition of American Heritage magazine entitled “‘A True Capacity for Governance’: An Interview with Daniel Patrick Moynihan.”

Folded once. With a stamped docket number in the left margin and a handwritten docket number and pencil initials in the upper right margin. Surface paper loss and a staple hole in the upper left corner. In very good condition.

Item #17343

Price: $450