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
WWP15762
Date
1919 May 14
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
Paris,
My dearest one,
I cannot begin to tell you the real pleasure and happiness that the pictures have and are giving me. They are perfectly splendid and so good of you. I love them. Every one who has seen them admire them very much. They are on my mantle in my bed room. Gordon takes a good picture. He certainly looks well—the picture of health. The young fellow takes a good picture especially for a fellow only five weeks old. I like his looks immensely and can truly say that I was never so anxious and so delighted to see a picture of any one as I was of him. Tell him that I like him, his looks and appearances and love him very dearly. We are certainly most fortunate and I am sure that I voice your sentiments also, when I say very happy and grateful.
I am so happy to see you looking so well and more beautiful than ever. I love you truly—The picture of Gordon with his shoes on and a ball in his hand is the best looking picture of a baby I ever saw. He certainly has the appearance of Presidential timber. I have read and re-read several times every word in your dear letters. I was so anxious for news about the baby and your descriptions and now with the picture make me very happy and proud of him. They are certainly a fine and dear little team. What does Margaret Martin">Margaret think about the little fellow? How is Irene, Alice and Pride on the subject. I suppose by another year he will also be a favorite in the kitchen.
I am glad you are counting on taking Alice with you for the summer—a very important adjunct—I hope to be able to spend a good part of August with you. It is too bad I cannot be back to arrange for your summer cottage—location etc. Perhaps, I may be able to help you at the last moment yet. We might get home sooner than you expect now. But I am not making any predictions as to the time or raising any false hopes in my own mind. These European politicians and Statesmen—would be—are so uncertain and unreliable—even a guess is unsafe.
I am not coming home a cynic—a skeptic or a pessimist—but “I am a wiser but sader man.” The political crowd of France are the limit. Honor and principle is an unknown factor in their lives. They have been caught six times putting new things into, or changing the words in the Treaty for the benefit of France. When they are caught and made to make the change back according to the original agreement, It does not hardly seem to embarrass them. Tardieu is the the ring leader. He is known as the man who does Clemenceau’s dirty work. This crowd are now wholly ungrateful for what the Americans did in the War—and depreciate our soldier’s bravery and fine work. For instance, at Chateau Thierry—The French were all in full retreat and running and advised the Americans to run too—but the Americans stood & by their excellent marksmanship and bravery stopped the German’s advance into Paris and it was the turning point that won the war. At the time the French freely admitted all of these facts—but now they scoff at it as absurd. They blame the President for stopping the War too soon. It is a well known and authentic fact that Foch was trembling and scared when the armistice terms were being prepared—and begged not to make them too stiff on the Germans because he was so afraid they would not agree to stop fighting. The Italians have bought up French newspapers—with the consent of the French government—incidentally this money which the Italians are using was borrowed from Americans—to inspire sentiment against America. The French are constantly trying to estrange feelings of the Belgians against America. They have many American paid press agents to write for them. I am sorry we have any such poor specimens of American Citizens—but such crooks are congenial, with this variety over here. The Chinese also have a bunch of American paid press agent to misconstrue their troubles. They have a grievance, But they got the best that could be gotten out of a rotten past, owing to such a network of secret treaties.
It would make you sick to see some Americans boot licking the French in order to get decorations—medals which are as common over here as dog cheeks.
I had a nice note from Lord Philip Derby">Lord Derby to-day asking me to lunch with him to-morrow and afterwards go to the races. I had to decline because of a boil on my neck which I said would be an unfit campanion for good society and sport. I have had to remain in for several days on account of this trouble—but I am improving now all right. BMB came by to take me for a motor ride this afternoon which I greatly enjoyed. It was a perfect afternoon—delightful climate. The President came up to my room yesterday and sat by my bed and talked to me for nearly an hour. Both he and Edith Bolling Wilson">Mrs. W. have been so kind, attentive and sweet to me. I love them more than ever.
My health has been fine but for this nuisance of a boil. I have gained in weight and every one comments—how well—I look. But I will soon feel fine again.
Grasty is still here but is unable to leave his room. That poisoning effected the nerves of his thigh and legs. He has had an awful time of it. But hopes to be out soon. Peter Gerry and Matilde lunched here to-day. I could not go to the table. Peter came to my room afterwards for a visit. He has been to see me several times. I like him.
As soon I can get around free from bandages I shall call on Martha Taft and thank her for bringing the pictures and your note. Will also call on the Stetenius family according to your suggestions.
I wrote to Mr. Walton Moore & Carlin about two weeks ago—Don’t think that I am depressed and blue. These crooks over here have stirred up my fighting blood. the President is going to win and he will be properly appreciated in time and we all be happy—I only wish I could see you and talk to you and be with you—then I would he happy—good night—my love.
My dearest one,
I cannot begin to tell you the real pleasure and happiness that the pictures have and are giving me. They are perfectly splendid and so good of you. I love them. Every one who has seen them admire them very much. They are on my mantle in my bed room. Gordon takes a good picture. He certainly looks well—the picture of health. The young fellow takes a good picture especially for a fellow only five weeks old. I like his looks immensely and can truly say that I was never so anxious and so delighted to see a picture of any one as I was of him. Tell him that I like him, his looks and appearances and love him very dearly. We are certainly most fortunate and I am sure that I voice your sentiments also, when I say very happy and grateful.
I am so happy to see you looking so well and more beautiful than ever. I love you truly—The picture of Gordon with his shoes on and a ball in his hand is the best looking picture of a baby I ever saw. He certainly has the appearance of Presidential timber. I have read and re-read several times every word in your dear letters. I was so anxious for news about the baby and your descriptions and now with the picture make me very happy and proud of him. They are certainly a fine and dear little team. What does Margaret Martin">Margaret think about the little fellow? How is Irene, Alice and Pride on the subject. I suppose by another year he will also be a favorite in the kitchen.
I am glad you are counting on taking Alice with you for the summer—a very important adjunct—I hope to be able to spend a good part of August with you. It is too bad I cannot be back to arrange for your summer cottage—location etc. Perhaps, I may be able to help you at the last moment yet. We might get home sooner than you expect now. But I am not making any predictions as to the time or raising any false hopes in my own mind. These European politicians and Statesmen—would be—are so uncertain and unreliable—even a guess is unsafe.
I am not coming home a cynic—a skeptic or a pessimist—but “I am a wiser but sader man.” The political crowd of France are the limit. Honor and principle is an unknown factor in their lives. They have been caught six times putting new things into, or changing the words in the Treaty for the benefit of France. When they are caught and made to make the change back according to the original agreement, It does not hardly seem to embarrass them. Tardieu is the the ring leader. He is known as the man who does Clemenceau’s dirty work. This crowd are now wholly ungrateful for what the Americans did in the War—and depreciate our soldier’s bravery and fine work. For instance, at Chateau Thierry—The French were all in full retreat and running and advised the Americans to run too—but the Americans stood & by their excellent marksmanship and bravery stopped the German’s advance into Paris and it was the turning point that won the war. At the time the French freely admitted all of these facts—but now they scoff at it as absurd. They blame the President for stopping the War too soon. It is a well known and authentic fact that Foch was trembling and scared when the armistice terms were being prepared—and begged not to make them too stiff on the Germans because he was so afraid they would not agree to stop fighting. The Italians have bought up French newspapers—with the consent of the French government—incidentally this money which the Italians are using was borrowed from Americans—to inspire sentiment against America. The French are constantly trying to estrange feelings of the Belgians against America. They have many American paid press agents to write for them. I am sorry we have any such poor specimens of American Citizens—but such crooks are congenial, with this variety over here. The Chinese also have a bunch of American paid press agent to misconstrue their troubles. They have a grievance, But they got the best that could be gotten out of a rotten past, owing to such a network of secret treaties.
It would make you sick to see some Americans boot licking the French in order to get decorations—medals which are as common over here as dog cheeks.
I had a nice note from Lord Philip Derby">Lord Derby to-day asking me to lunch with him to-morrow and afterwards go to the races. I had to decline because of a boil on my neck which I said would be an unfit campanion for good society and sport. I have had to remain in for several days on account of this trouble—but I am improving now all right. BMB came by to take me for a motor ride this afternoon which I greatly enjoyed. It was a perfect afternoon—delightful climate. The President came up to my room yesterday and sat by my bed and talked to me for nearly an hour. Both he and Edith Bolling Wilson">Mrs. W. have been so kind, attentive and sweet to me. I love them more than ever.
My health has been fine but for this nuisance of a boil. I have gained in weight and every one comments—how well—I look. But I will soon feel fine again.
Grasty is still here but is unable to leave his room. That poisoning effected the nerves of his thigh and legs. He has had an awful time of it. But hopes to be out soon. Peter Gerry and Matilde lunched here to-day. I could not go to the table. Peter came to my room afterwards for a visit. He has been to see me several times. I like him.
As soon I can get around free from bandages I shall call on Martha Taft and thank her for bringing the pictures and your note. Will also call on the Stetenius family according to your suggestions.
I wrote to Mr. Walton Moore & Carlin about two weeks ago—Don’t think that I am depressed and blue. These crooks over here have stirred up my fighting blood. the President is going to win and he will be properly appreciated in time and we all be happy—I only wish I could see you and talk to you and be with you—then I would he happy—good night—my love.
Original Format
Letter
To
Grayson, Alice Gertrude Gordon, 1892-1961
Files
Collection
Citation
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938, “Cary T. Grayson to Alice Gertrude Gordon Grayson,” 1919 May 14, WWP15762, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.