Frederic William Wile to Cary T. Grayson
Title
Frederic William Wile to Cary T. Grayson
Creator
Wile, Frederic William, 1873-1941
Identifier
WWP15701
Date
1919 March 24
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
My dear Admiral:
If I was in Paris instead of pneumonic London, most heartily would I say: “Welcome to our city.” Anyway, here’s how! Perhaps Nevin, Moran & Co., on the voyage home in February let you line up for some of the good stuff I was able to put in their way on the eve of starting—though, truth to tell, I had nary a word of its arrival. Perhaps it left them speechless if not “blind.”
My purpose in writing you today is to acquaint you with the fact that I am going home in May, to spend three months on a Chatauqua circuit in the East, on the subject of my little book , “Explaining the Britishers.” The Chatauqua people saw the book, liked it, and batted up an interesting proposition. I need hardly tell you that as occasion offers for me to talk about the President, as an eye-witness of his European travels—and probably the first American to come home and discuss them from the public platform—it will be to say what I think on the subject. If you will recall the speech I made in London in January, which I sent you for presentation to the President, you will know that I intend describing his trip as a great triumph for him and a great glory for our country. I expect to speak more than 100 times throughout the Atlantic States, and the opportunity to tell some home-truths in some solid communities will be unique.
Is it within the range of possibilities that I can obtain from the President some expression about the book, which I thrust upon him (and you) on the return trip from London to Paris on December 31? It would be of immense advantage to me to be armed with such credentials. I have a very fine message about the book from the King, and from Ambassador Davis.
Please let me hear from you—perfectly frankly—and be assured of my deep appreciation.
Yours sincerely,
Frederic William Wile
If I was in Paris instead of pneumonic London, most heartily would I say: “Welcome to our city.” Anyway, here’s how! Perhaps Nevin, Moran & Co., on the voyage home in February let you line up for some of the good stuff I was able to put in their way on the eve of starting—though, truth to tell, I had nary a word of its arrival. Perhaps it left them speechless if not “blind.”
My purpose in writing you today is to acquaint you with the fact that I am going home in May, to spend three months on a Chatauqua circuit in the East, on the subject of my little book , “Explaining the Britishers.” The Chatauqua people saw the book, liked it, and batted up an interesting proposition. I need hardly tell you that as occasion offers for me to talk about the President, as an eye-witness of his European travels—and probably the first American to come home and discuss them from the public platform—it will be to say what I think on the subject. If you will recall the speech I made in London in January, which I sent you for presentation to the President, you will know that I intend describing his trip as a great triumph for him and a great glory for our country. I expect to speak more than 100 times throughout the Atlantic States, and the opportunity to tell some home-truths in some solid communities will be unique.
Is it within the range of possibilities that I can obtain from the President some expression about the book, which I thrust upon him (and you) on the return trip from London to Paris on December 31? It would be of immense advantage to me to be armed with such credentials. I have a very fine message about the book from the King, and from Ambassador Davis.
Please let me hear from you—perfectly frankly—and be assured of my deep appreciation.
Yours sincerely,
Frederic William Wile
Original Format
Letter
To
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938
Collection
Citation
Wile, Frederic William, 1873-1941, “Frederic William Wile to Cary T. Grayson,” 1919 March 24, WWP15701, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.