Item 93a: Transcription of a Letter from Warren G. Harding to James E[aton]. Philips, 1909 January 22
Item — Box: 9, Folder: 93a
Dates
- Created: 1909 January 22
Creator
Disclaimer for Name and Subject Authorities
Some of the name and subject authority tags have been assigned by educated guessing and estimation of persons and subjects by region, age, profession, and familial relationships. They have been thoroughly researched by using primary and secondary sources available digitally, and named in each description, or in some cases linked directly to the person tag.
Access:
All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.
Extent
1 items
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Type of Material:
Letter (transcribed copy)
Condition Note:
Good. Some minor tears present along the paper’s edges.
Measurements:
11 in. x 8 ½ in.
Title:
The Marion Star
Description:
The following item, dated January 22, 1909, is a printed transcription of an original letter, item 93b, written by Warren Gamaliel Harding, the 29th president of the United States, to James E[aton] Phillips. In the letter, Harding states that he is unable to go on a steamboat trip because of some anxiety that his wife is having about the trip. He specifically references a “premonition” which left her in a heightened state of anxiety. Harding continues on to write that he would be glad for the Phillips’ to continue with their plans and take the journey, stating that there are sure to be good sights and plenty of people to keep them both entertained. However, Harding mentions that should the Phillips wish to delay the trip until summer when the four of them can try again, he would be happy to cover the losses of their advances and has sent an additional draft of $750.00 for the Phillips to cover their travels. Harding asks that if they are postponing they make arrangements to meet up.
An interesting underlayer of this letter is the history to be found in the affair uncovered between Harding and Carrie Phillips. It is estimated that this affair went on from around 1905 all the way into 1920, making this letter a few years deep into it. Phillips met Harding through her husband’s connection with Harding’s wife Florence. Phillips grew close to Harding after the death of her son, James Jr., while he was still a toddler. The exact date of the discovery of the affair by their respective spouses is unknown, however it is estimated to have been sometime prior to Harding’s campaign for a seat in the US Senate in 1914 as she would later blackmail him during his presidential campaign.
Location:
Marion, Ohio
Transcription:
The Marion Star
By W.G. Harding
Marion, Ohio
January 22 [1909]
My Dear Phillips:
Enclosed find $750 draft for your convenience in dealing with the steamship people. I am greatly disappointed to write it to you, but we can’t go. I am exceedingly sorry. The truth is that Mrs. H. has gotten some premonition that we ought not to go, and in her nervous state (she has not been real well for several months) I cannot well urge her to go contrary to her feelings. She says she would like very well to go with you and Carrie, and I am very frank to say I know of no one I would rather travel with, particularly on such a trip, but things haven’t broken right for this one.
Please say to the steamship people that I am unable to go and will forfeit my deposit unless they are able to re-sell. You will, of course, follow your own preference. You can close up and go, and never miss our company, for there will be a great bundle of fine people on the trip. No other kind goes on such ships as the Deutschland, and the trip is all planned and personally conducted until you are ready to leave them for Paris and other points. On this end I can give you some pointers, as I hope to do, and be of some service to you. If you had rather wait until summer, make the forfeit all around and I will make good your loss, for I feel responsible for the advance payment. I will gladly do this. I rather think I would close up for stateroom 30. Then you can discuss plans on your return. You may do this with this draft and I’ll take the risk. I commend the trip to you, and feel sure you will never miss us. However, if on your return you feel that you would rather change your plans, I’ll take up the matter of recovering our expenditures and make good your outlay. There is a bit of annoyance to all this, and a great disappointment to me, but I trust you will understand the spirit in which I write and gather no impressions that will in any way disturb our friendly relations. If none of these suggestions strike you correctly or agreeably, feel free to wire before you act.
Sincerely yours
W. G. Harding
James E. Phillips New York c/o Hotel Navarro
James E. Phillips New York c/o Hotel Navarro
Creator
Repository Details
Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository
Contact:
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu