Cary T. Grayson to Alice Gertrude Gordon Grayson

Title

Cary T. Grayson to Alice Gertrude Gordon Grayson

Creator

Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938

Identifier

WWP15650

Date

1919 January 31

Source

Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia

Language

English

Text

Friday—

My dearest Trudie

Montgomery Angel has telephoned me that he wants to see me and I hope to see him soon. He has been assigned here for duty with the Food Administration. He tells me that Ellen wants him to keep out of Paris as you had related my experience about the girls grabbing my cap the first night I arrived—formed a circle around me—and demanded that I kiss them.

Since that night I have been leading a remarkably sober and calm, even, good behaviour. I have done much reading. The day is strenous, but at night when all is calm and quiet I put in good licks in reading and writing. I read until after one o’clock every night; but do not get up until nine o’clock, as you know this is a late rising city. I have read up on all the war surgery & sickness—in army medical journals which I have gotten since my arrival. I spend much time in studying the international questions that are being discussed before the Peace Conference. It is an opportunity of a life time and I am trying to be thoroughly acquainted with it all. I have a big map that I often trace with the President concerning the various boundary lines and what this & that country wants etc. What he thinks they ought and ought not to have and why!

I tried my hand at a little more shopping to-day, I am not as mad as I was yesterday. It is really too bad so much ill feeling is arising between the French and Americans. Of course, due allowance should be made for what France has suffered from during this terrible war. Americans spend their money freely—and in many instances f near paupers blow in their money as if they were worth millions that particular day. This all gives the French the idea that Americans are rich and spend money freely. The French ask high prices which offends many Americans. The French are naturally tricky & strive to get the best of you & often decline—bad feelings spring up—then, it is said by both Americans & French that this bad feeling is result of German propraganda—It is too bad that a better understanding could not be cultivated between Americans & Frenchmen. After all they have suffered through the war and then a victorious outcome—to be followed by unfriendly feelings between former good friends—is, indeed a pity. But, unless, a better feeling is noursished nourished and encouraged—and the ill feelings corrected now, it is going to be unfortunate for the future.

Mrs. Bordie Harriman is busy as ever. She is now working to have Fletcher made Ambassador to France who is now in Mexico. She says that she hears that strong pressure is being brought on the President to have Hugh C. succeed Sharp here. She is terribly against Hugh. She says that he pretends to be something and is nothing. And that he drinks like a fish. Can you picture it all—particularly that Hugh drinking like a fish—not to mention being nothing. No one knows over here that the President is going to appoint Hugh. How Mrs. H got on this trail, but I think she is guessing and is fearing Hugh might he appointed, and is trying to find out something from me—by letting go on H. I am the orginal s ignorance in France. Why does she hate Hugh so? She said he is worse than nothing. Remember Hugh said to me in 1916 that she was a dangerous woman? What would he say if the heard the aforenamed remarks? Paris is away ahead of Washington in the gossip line.

To-night I attended a dinner given to me by General Leorat of the French Army at one of the old clubs. I made my maiden French speech in France, did not do me much for LaFayette—but gave the origin of the Declaration of Independence—The ancient & modern friendships—the present dangers of misunderstandings—its bad consequences—Benjamin Franklin & Thomas Jefferson—How our soldiers fought, bled & died—shoulder to shoulder for the same great cause and the aspirations for peace and progress—one purpose; one hope and one God. I was badly in need in of your assistance. This speech was easy because every one present did not understand English.

The cameras are numerous over here, so pardon my sending you so many pictures of self. The President is now in the midst of a big controversy over the Colony question which you will see fully discussed in the papers—He is going to win.

Good-night my precious darling—take good care of your self. I hope to be homeward bound when you read this and be prepared for a thousand kisses. Love to Gordon. Oh! So very very very much for my true love and partner—

CTG

Original Format

Letter

To

Grayson, Alice Gertrude Gordon, 1892-1961

Files

http://resources.presidentwilson.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/D01029.pdf

Tags

Citation

Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938, “Cary T. Grayson to Alice Gertrude Gordon Grayson,” 1919 January 31, WWP15650, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.