Description:

Nixon Richard

Single page TLS, 6.5" x  8.75", dated "June 4, 1973" on White House Stationary with the embossed seal to top. Signed by Richard Nixon as "RN". Accompanied with the original White House envelope, stamped and postmarked "Jun 4", 7.25" x 4.75". Expected folds with a faint paper clip crease, else fine.

Richard Nixon TLS to Jack Dreyfus composed while President, and in the midst of the Watergate scandal. Nixon had a long term relationship with Dreyfus, who is considered the second most significant money manager of the last century. Dreyfus had contributed heavily to Nixon's campaigns both in 1960, and in 1968 and met frequently with Nixon. In Richard Nixon's letter to Dreyfus, the President expresses hints of serious concern over the state of his Administration, and alludes to Watergate. At the time, only he, and a handful of others in administration knew where this could lead as it began unraveling:

"June 4, 1973

Dear Jack:

It was so thoughtful of you to let me know of your continuing support. I am deeply grateful for your words of encouragement and for the concern which prompted you to offer your assistance.

Although developments in recent months have posted a very great test of our Administration, your message of confidence and understanding renews my faith that, working together, we can achieve the great goals of peace and progress all Americans seek".


Watergate started June 17, 1972, just a year before this letter was written, and although Nixon was not yet connected to the crime, his entire administration was under investigation. The event began when several burglars were arrested in the office of the Democratic National Committee, located in the Watergate complex of buildings in Washington, D.C. This was no ordinary robbery: The prowlers were connected to President Richard Nixon’s reelection campaign, and they had been caught wiretapping phones and stealing documents. Nixon took aggressive steps to cover up the crime afterwards, and in August 1974, after his role in the conspiracy was revealed, Nixon resigned. The Watergate scandal changed American politics forever, leading many Americans to question their leaders and think more critically about the presidency.

An incredible letter made that much more personal as Nixon was reaching out to his long time friend Jack Dreyfus. Richard Nixon's relationship with Jack Dreyfus became highly controversial years later as it has come to light a drug Dreyfus had taken for himself to cure him of Depression, which Dreyfus heralded as a "wonder drug", was offered directly to Nixon by Dreyfus to assist him with his mood disorders, depression, anxiety and stress. In the recent published book, Arrogance of Power, referenced allegations which revealed interviews with Nixon’s former psychotherapist, Dr. Arnold Hutschnecker, who counseled Nixon for decades and considered the president to be “neurotic.” “Everyone has their share of neuroses, but there is indeed significant evidence in the presidency, well before Watergate, that Nixon on occasion behaved in a way that to ordinary people was simply not normal” and that "Concern for Nixon’s mental state was so great, Summers writes, that Secretary of Defense James R. Schlesinger ordered the military not to react to orders from the White House unless they were cleared by him or the secretary of state." It was also known Nixon consumed large quantities of a particular drug without a prescription, the drug Dilantin which was provided to him by Jack Dreyfus.

The two continued frequent correspondence and met quite regularly both in the White House for business, but also socially and the reader can see in this letter Nixon's overall gratitude to Jack Drefus for his "support" and "assistance". It is unclear what assistance was offered to him by Dreyfus, whether more drugs, or more money, but either way this letter was written only a year before Nixon's role in the conspiracy was revealed and his resignation.

A fantastic letter between Nixon and Jack Dreyfus foreshadowing the events that were to unfold in the next 12 months.

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