Date: August 6, 1927
Context: Dwight Morrow, Coolidge’s Amherst classmate, and, by now, a prominent figure on Wall Street, writes the president about Morrow’s potential diplomatic posting in Mexico. Morrow expresses optimism that he could improve Mexican-American relations, contrary to the more pessimistic opinion of other Americans. At the time, Mexico was in turmoil. The country had been engulfed in revolution and civil war for more than a decade. Morrow would serve as ambassador to Mexico starting later that year.
Dear Mr. President:
I spent a week in New York during which I had several talks with Mr. Morgan. He tells me that the firm will put no obstacle in the way of my accepting the post, if you think I can be of service there. He accompanies this with his own personal opinion, which he asks me to express to you, that I can render more service to the country where I am. The delay in writing you has been due to our desire to communicate with Mr. Lamont who is abroad. We have now heard from him. He is substantially of the same opinion as Mr. Morgan.
I remain of the same opinion as when I wrote you before. If you should tender the post to me I shall accept. There seems to be a pretty general feeling on the part of those who have touched Mexico in either a political or a business way that nothing can be accomplished there in the next eighteen months. While this may have some truth in it, I do not share the feeling. At all events the task is an important one, and the fear of failure should not deter one, if there is reasonable ground for thinking that he is better equipped than any other who is available. That decision is not for me, but for you to make.
There are one or two matters I should like to talk with you about before the appointment is made, if you should decide to make it. I can come to Rapid City at any time that suits your convenience. It would suit my convenience a little better to leave here about the 13th or 14th, but I can come at anytime Clark should telephone or telegraph me. With reference to Senator Edge, he stopped here the other day, in the course of a cruise along the Maine Coast, to consult me about some of his New Jersey problems. I talked with him confidentially about Mexico. He is a friend of Teagle and shares the general pessimism about Mexico’s future. He will be glad to do any thing and everything in his power with respect to confirmation, should the appointment be made.
You will see from this letter that I am making my decision without reference to your public statement of last Tuesday. I like the fact that you made the statement and I liked the form in which you made it.
Faithfully yours,
Dwight Morrow
Citation: Coolidge Family Papers, Vermont Historical Society
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