Memorandum
Title
Memorandum
Creator
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938
Identifier
WWP15900
Date
1919 October 6
Description
Note by Cary T. Grayson about President Woodrow Wilson’s health following his stroke.
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
(Monday)
Memorandum: I was called before the Cabinet this morning at 11:00 o’clock at the request of Secretary Lansing. The entire Cabinet was present. Secretary Lansing asked me the direct questions as to what was the matter with the President, what was the exact nature of the President’s trouble, how long would he be sick and was his mind clear or not. My reply was that the President’s mind was not only clear but very active, and that he clearly showed that he was very much annoyed when he found that the Cabinet had been called and that he wanted to know by whose authority the meeting had been called and for what purpose. Secretary Lansing was somewhat astounded when I spoke thus. From what the French Ambassador had said previously to Mr. Forster it appeared as if Secretary Lansing was particularly anxious to have Vice-President Marshall act in the President’s place.
Secretary Baker intervened at the close of my remarks and said that he thought it would meet with the approval of the Cabinet to say that they only met as a mark of affection and to say also that everything was going in the even tenor of its way; that there was nothing to cause him to worry about now; that they were all looking out for the President’s interests as best they could. He added: “Please convey our sympathy to the President and give him our assurance that everything is going along all right.” This was unanimously concurred in by the other members.
CTG
Memorandum: I was called before the Cabinet this morning at 11:00 o’clock at the request of Secretary Lansing. The entire Cabinet was present. Secretary Lansing asked me the direct questions as to what was the matter with the President, what was the exact nature of the President’s trouble, how long would he be sick and was his mind clear or not. My reply was that the President’s mind was not only clear but very active, and that he clearly showed that he was very much annoyed when he found that the Cabinet had been called and that he wanted to know by whose authority the meeting had been called and for what purpose. Secretary Lansing was somewhat astounded when I spoke thus. From what the French Ambassador had said previously to Mr. Forster it appeared as if Secretary Lansing was particularly anxious to have Vice-President Marshall act in the President’s place.
Secretary Baker intervened at the close of my remarks and said that he thought it would meet with the approval of the Cabinet to say that they only met as a mark of affection and to say also that everything was going in the even tenor of its way; that there was nothing to cause him to worry about now; that they were all looking out for the President’s interests as best they could. He added: “Please convey our sympathy to the President and give him our assurance that everything is going along all right.” This was unanimously concurred in by the other members.
CTG
Files
Collection
Citation
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938, “Memorandum,” 1919 October 6, WWP15900, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.