Edith Bolling Wilson to Woodrow Wilson
Title
Edith Bolling Wilson to Woodrow Wilson
Creator
Wilson, Edith Bolling Galt, 1872-1961
Identifier
WWP14883
Date
1915 August 17
Source
Edith Bolling Wilson Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, District of Columbia
Language
English
Text
1110 P.M.
My Dearest One -
Your letter of Sunday night and yesterday a.m– did come by the afternoon delivery— and I need not add how welcome it was– I was on the porch alone –so I sat right down in a big rocking chair and read it– And for the time Geneva and the Roses were forgotten – I was with you — alone, in the brilliant sunshine of a day like October– and you were telling me all the things that are in your mind– of what you were doing in the different dificult situations, in Haiti, in Mexico and abroad — and through it all was running the love song that makes every word you speak or write music in my ears — and I was happy — Yes dearest One– so great is the magic power of love that with this daily record of your thoughts and occupations I can be happy though miles and miles of space divide us –Thank you for your patience in explaining things to me so fully in regard to the “Preparedness”— I so hope the Secretaries of War & Navy have given you their Reports in such digested form that you will not have to make out the plan– but only decide the method of putting it into action — Goodness knows that is a big enough task, without having to decide the detail– I felt sure, from what you had said about Congress – that you would not call an extra session – but did not know whether this emergency would make you feel it necessary – But I am glad you won't have that body to handle along with other things – I see in the Rochester paper today that you are being urged by all your close associates to return to Cornish by Sept. 1st to get all the rest you possibly can — So I hope this report is true —and you will go up for Jessie's birthday and stay just as long as you feel you are not needed in WashingtonWhat you write me about their getting on so well without you – makes me very glad — for it means greater ease for you when you are gone — feeling you can rest in the ability of those in charge to carry things on —and then too it means more vacation time for you – So please go Sweetheart– and don't feel you want to be in Washington early in September, because a certain lady will be coming home – She could not see you any way— and you said yourself– it was easier to be away — So write me what day you will go –so I can send my letters to the right place –And that brings me to our trip to Ocean City on Friday– As we expect to leave here about 10 Friday A.M– I would get your letter mailed Thursday– and that will have to last over until Sunday– for I would not know how to tell you to find me on Saturday– Mr. Rose thinks now he will go from here to Albany N.Y– spending the first night there—Then as far as we can comfortably on Saturday making the final lap to Ocean City on Sunday— So you can just send your Saturday, and Friday messengers together– to the “Hotel Normandie by-the-Sea” after Thursday — and I would put them in the same envelope – and I will get them on Sunday– if I can get there, or certainly on Monday.I shall miss you and your dear message on Saturday, but I think it would be useless to try and set any place to have you send a letter, as motoring is such an uncertain thing for fixed places –I am so thrilled at your Treaty to Haiti – and do hope your enforced action will be understood by the Latin Americans – as any doubt there might embarrass your Mexican affiliationsThere is nothing in the papers about it yet, but I shall watch the comments with great interest — and, this being the 17th is the day the Congress expires so they must act. After getting your letter I asked Mr. Rose if he would get the World of Sunday, yesterday & today for me– and I am to have them tomorrow— and be so eager to read the articles regarding the German Propaganda –
Wednesday – 18 AugustIt is now 1230 Precious One – and I have not had a minute to call my own – and now have to write in a rush– Your dear letter, in answer to my blue one of Sunday is full of tenderness and help — and I accept the challenge – and promise to keep the faith – How perfectly you understand always and know how to make me feel your comprehension When the Postman came this morning I felt sure your letter would bring me what I wanted and it did— With it came also the Big Envelope— which I will keep until later to read contents– for that will wait and my letter to you must go – What a wonder Hoover really is! His comprehension is almost as keen as your own and his tact wonderful —Besides your letter I got this enclosed one from Rolfe in answer to our letter of July 27th, and I feel his worst representations were justified– as to the mans ancestry etc– And the only hope is that he may not be as bad as the rest of his family–I hope you will understand my sending you such a disgusting record— but I felt Rolfe's letter explained better than I could– and I am sick at the horror of what may be for Elizabeth in the future … Thank you Dearest for looking up the man in Washington– At any rate his record there is good—and I don't think I should be the one to spread abroad this tragic account of his forebares.Will you return the letter to me in the next big Envelope as I want to show it to Mother.Strange that your account and this should have come together! In regard to what you say about Mother, I will answer in my letter tonight – for I cannot speak of that on the same page with this other awful thing– My heart aches for Rolfe– I only yesterday answered his wife's wild letter and told her to try tact and affection in place of force and deception –but I suppose E. will be married before my letter gets there – Goodbye my precious One. Remember–no more letters here after tomorrow (Thursday).
Edith
My Dearest One -
Your letter of Sunday night and yesterday a.m– did come by the afternoon delivery— and I need not add how welcome it was– I was on the porch alone –so I sat right down in a big rocking chair and read it– And for the time Geneva and the Roses were forgotten – I was with you — alone, in the brilliant sunshine of a day like October– and you were telling me all the things that are in your mind– of what you were doing in the different dificult situations, in Haiti, in Mexico and abroad — and through it all was running the love song that makes every word you speak or write music in my ears — and I was happy — Yes dearest One– so great is the magic power of love that with this daily record of your thoughts and occupations I can be happy though miles and miles of space divide us –Thank you for your patience in explaining things to me so fully in regard to the “Preparedness”— I so hope the Secretaries of War & Navy have given you their Reports in such digested form that you will not have to make out the plan– but only decide the method of putting it into action — Goodness knows that is a big enough task, without having to decide the detail– I felt sure, from what you had said about Congress – that you would not call an extra session – but did not know whether this emergency would make you feel it necessary – But I am glad you won't have that body to handle along with other things – I see in the Rochester paper today that you are being urged by all your close associates to return to Cornish by Sept. 1st to get all the rest you possibly can — So I hope this report is true —and you will go up for Jessie's birthday and stay just as long as you feel you are not needed in WashingtonWhat you write me about their getting on so well without you – makes me very glad — for it means greater ease for you when you are gone — feeling you can rest in the ability of those in charge to carry things on —and then too it means more vacation time for you – So please go Sweetheart– and don't feel you want to be in Washington early in September, because a certain lady will be coming home – She could not see you any way— and you said yourself– it was easier to be away — So write me what day you will go –so I can send my letters to the right place –And that brings me to our trip to Ocean City on Friday– As we expect to leave here about 10 Friday A.M– I would get your letter mailed Thursday– and that will have to last over until Sunday– for I would not know how to tell you to find me on Saturday– Mr. Rose thinks now he will go from here to Albany N.Y– spending the first night there—Then as far as we can comfortably on Saturday making the final lap to Ocean City on Sunday— So you can just send your Saturday, and Friday messengers together– to the “Hotel Normandie by-the-Sea” after Thursday — and I would put them in the same envelope – and I will get them on Sunday– if I can get there, or certainly on Monday.I shall miss you and your dear message on Saturday, but I think it would be useless to try and set any place to have you send a letter, as motoring is such an uncertain thing for fixed places –I am so thrilled at your Treaty to Haiti – and do hope your enforced action will be understood by the Latin Americans – as any doubt there might embarrass your Mexican affiliationsThere is nothing in the papers about it yet, but I shall watch the comments with great interest — and, this being the 17th is the day the Congress expires so they must act. After getting your letter I asked Mr. Rose if he would get the World of Sunday, yesterday & today for me– and I am to have them tomorrow— and be so eager to read the articles regarding the German Propaganda –
Wednesday – 18 AugustIt is now 1230 Precious One – and I have not had a minute to call my own – and now have to write in a rush– Your dear letter, in answer to my blue one of Sunday is full of tenderness and help — and I accept the challenge – and promise to keep the faith – How perfectly you understand always and know how to make me feel your comprehension When the Postman came this morning I felt sure your letter would bring me what I wanted and it did— With it came also the Big Envelope— which I will keep until later to read contents– for that will wait and my letter to you must go – What a wonder Hoover really is! His comprehension is almost as keen as your own and his tact wonderful —Besides your letter I got this enclosed one from Rolfe in answer to our letter of July 27th, and I feel his worst representations were justified– as to the mans ancestry etc– And the only hope is that he may not be as bad as the rest of his family–I hope you will understand my sending you such a disgusting record— but I felt Rolfe's letter explained better than I could– and I am sick at the horror of what may be for Elizabeth in the future … Thank you Dearest for looking up the man in Washington– At any rate his record there is good—and I don't think I should be the one to spread abroad this tragic account of his forebares.Will you return the letter to me in the next big Envelope as I want to show it to Mother.Strange that your account and this should have come together! In regard to what you say about Mother, I will answer in my letter tonight – for I cannot speak of that on the same page with this other awful thing– My heart aches for Rolfe– I only yesterday answered his wife's wild letter and told her to try tact and affection in place of force and deception –but I suppose E. will be married before my letter gets there – Goodbye my precious One. Remember–no more letters here after tomorrow (Thursday).
Edith
Original Format
Letter
To
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Files
Collection
Citation
Wilson, Edith Bolling Galt, 1872-1961, “Edith Bolling Wilson to Woodrow Wilson,” 1915 August 17, WWP14883, Edith Bolling Wilson Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.