1972-73 The Watergate Crisis: Nixon White House, Senate Committee and Participant Correspondence Archive,
A remarkable archive of approximately twenty-four pieces documenting the Watergate crisis through correspondence from the Nixon White House, members and counsels of the Senate Watergate Committee, nationally known journalists, and individuals directly implicated in the scandal.
Most of the archive was assembled by Cecelia Belanger of North Vassalboro, Maine, who corresponded with the White House and leading participants during the nationally televised Senate Watergate hearings. Their responses discuss the investigation, presidential responsibility, political espionage, campaign misconduct, public confidence, media coverage, and the search for truth.
The archive’s most immediate piece is an entirely handwritten note signed by former presidential adviser John D. Ehrlichman, dated July 31, 1973—immediately following his testimony before the Senate Watergate Committee. Ehrlichman tells Belanger that he hopes the Congressional Record will soon carry his opening statement. Preserved with the note is a September 12, 1973 issue or extract of the Congressional Record, apparently retained because it contained or related to that statement.
Also present is a signed July 18, 1973 letter from Jeb Stuart Magruder, deputy director of the Committee for the Re-Election of the President and an admitted participant in the Watergate conspiracy. Magruder directly references Belanger’s comments about his Senate testimony and his “situation”—a striking contemporary communication written shortly before his guilty plea.
The Senate investigation is represented by committee chairman Sam J. Ervin Jr., vice chairman Howard H. Baker Jr., chief counsel Samuel Dash, minority counsel Fred D. Thompson, and committee member Edward J. Gurney. Particularly important is Baker’s extensive letter discussing Nixon’s August 1973 address, Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox, Attorney General Elliot Richardson, possible presidential involvement, and the need either to uncover wrongdoing or clear Nixon of suspicion.
A signed White House letter from Patrick J. Buchanan, dated October 16, 1973, thanks Belanger for supporting his appearance before the Senate committee and describes Nixon as having borne “the brunt of the present storm.” It was written only four days before the Saturday Night Massacre.
Other noteworthy material includes a forceful signed letter from ABC correspondent Sam Donaldson, declaring that reporters must continue until “the liars” had been separated from honest witnesses and every criminal participant brought to trial; signed letters from Senators Edmund Muskie and William Hathaway; three additional Howard Baker letters; and White House communications from Ronald Ziegler and First Lady Pat Nixon.
The archive also includes two signed White House travel letters and a Cliff Hotel registration card documenting a March 1972 San Francisco visit by John and Mrs. Ehrlichman, as well as a letter from the Office of Vice President Spiro Agnew.
A compelling, unusually concentrated archive capturing Watergate not retrospectively, but as the constitutional crisis was unfolding. It brings together the White House, investigators, witnesses, press, and American public in a single contemporary collection.
Approximately twenty-four principal pieces, together with several original envelopes. Expected mailing folds, creases, edge wear, staple holes, occasional small tears and scattered toning. Several letters exhibit heavier wrinkling or handling wear. Signatures appear handwritten where stated, but mass-response letters may contain autopen, secretarial or mechanically applied signatures and are offered subject to further authentication.
A remarkable archive of approximately twenty-four pieces documenting the Watergate crisis through correspondence from the Nixon White House, members and counsels of the Senate Watergate Committee, nationally known journalists, and individuals directly implicated in the scandal.
Most of the archive was assembled by Cecelia Belanger of North Vassalboro, Maine, who corresponded with the White House and leading participants during the nationally televised Senate Watergate hearings. Their responses discuss the investigation, presidential responsibility, political espionage, campaign misconduct, public confidence, media coverage, and the search for truth.
The archive’s most immediate piece is an entirely handwritten note signed by former presidential adviser John D. Ehrlichman, dated July 31, 1973—immediately following his testimony before the Senate Watergate Committee. Ehrlichman tells Belanger that he hopes the Congressional Record will soon carry his opening statement. Preserved with the note is a September 12, 1973 issue or extract of the Congressional Record, apparently retained because it contained or related to that statement.
Also present is a signed July 18, 1973 letter from Jeb Stuart Magruder, deputy director of the Committee for the Re-Election of the President and an admitted participant in the Watergate conspiracy. Magruder directly references Belanger’s comments about his Senate testimony and his “situation”—a striking contemporary communication written shortly before his guilty plea.
The Senate investigation is represented by committee chairman Sam J. Ervin Jr., vice chairman Howard H. Baker Jr., chief counsel Samuel Dash, minority counsel Fred D. Thompson, and committee member Edward J. Gurney. Particularly important is Baker’s extensive letter discussing Nixon’s August 1973 address, Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox, Attorney General Elliot Richardson, possible presidential involvement, and the need either to uncover wrongdoing or clear Nixon of suspicion.
A signed White House letter from Patrick J. Buchanan, dated October 16, 1973, thanks Belanger for supporting his appearance before the Senate committee and describes Nixon as having borne “the brunt of the present storm.” It was written only four days before the Saturday Night Massacre.
Other noteworthy material includes a forceful signed letter from ABC correspondent Sam Donaldson, declaring that reporters must continue until “the liars” had been separated from honest witnesses and every criminal participant brought to trial; signed letters from Senators Edmund Muskie and William Hathaway; three additional Howard Baker letters; and White House communications from Ronald Ziegler and First Lady Pat Nixon.
The archive also includes two signed White House travel letters and a Cliff Hotel registration card documenting a March 1972 San Francisco visit by John and Mrs. Ehrlichman, as well as a letter from the Office of Vice President Spiro Agnew.
A compelling, unusually concentrated archive capturing Watergate not retrospectively, but as the constitutional crisis was unfolding. It brings together the White House, investigators, witnesses, press, and American public in a single contemporary collection.
Approximately twenty-four principal pieces, together with several original envelopes. Expected mailing folds, creases, edge wear, staple holes, occasional small tears and scattered toning. Several letters exhibit heavier wrinkling or handling wear. Signatures appear handwritten where stated, but mass-response letters may contain autopen, secretarial or mechanically applied signatures and are offered subject to further authentication.
