Woodrow Wilson to Mary Allen Hulbert Peck

Woodrow Wilson to Mary Allen Hulbert Peck

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924

WWP18213

1913 December 8

Woodrow Wilson writes to Mary Allen Hulbert Peck about the pressures of his position as President, and the limitations placed on him in appointing people to diplomatic positions.

Wilson Papers, Library of Congress, Library of Congress, Washington, District of Columbia

Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924--Correspondence

Dearest Friend

I think that the pressure of work, never lifted, must be beginning to tell on me. I overlook things as I did not use to do, — things in which I am really and deeply interested.
For example, I find that I have never answered your question about Mahlon Bradley. I had meant to do so at once. The fact is, that I have a very restricted choice about foreign appointments. The ambassadorial and ministerial appointments, that is, those which are in the strict sense of the word diplomatic, have all been bestowed or promised, except one or two of the very biggest, like Paris. All appointments to secretaryships in the diplomatic serivice or to consulships are covered by the rules of civil service, that is, they must be obtained by examination and those who enter must usually enter at the bottom and work their way up. In my own judgment the best opening is in the consular service. If Mr. Bradley were willing to enter the examination and take a small appointment so soon as it was available (say, for example, at $2000 a year), it might be possible to assign him something rather soon. I will be glad to look into the matter and report exactly, if the thinks well of the idea. We are very anxious to get men of the best type to go into this service, because our foreign trade is growing by leaps and bounds and our plans for using our consular service as it ought to be used, and as the consular service of such countries as England and Germany have long been used, are sure to expand and to be realized now very rapidly.
Of course I will forward Allen’s letter to Jessie, — Mrs. Sayre! how odd it seems, — my own dear little girl! I do not at all know how soon she or Frank will have a mind for any kind of business; but they will no doubt turn to this sooner or later!It’s jolly to think of you two installed in quiet lodgings where you can really be a little family and shut the rest of the world out for a little. It will refresh and renew both of you, and I am so glad.
I am just coming out of a terrible cold and am feeling very ‘bum’ and blue. But I shall no doubt “bob up serenely” in due time and resume my ordinary way, which has few flowers but some grim satisfactions.
All join me in affectionate messages. In tearing haste,

Woodrow Wilson

Letter

Hulbert, Mary Allen, 1862-1939