[Dear Alex]: Thank you very much for your note.2 I knew that Sir Oswald had died--an occurence that really shocked and distressed me.3 In the few opportunities I had to be with him, I quickly conceived for him a real admiration and a feeling of friendship.
It is true that he intended to present to me one of the pictures that he was painting of me. He expressed it in terms of an intention to paint two identical portraits, after which he would send one to me.4
As to the suggestion made by you and your friends, I can only say that I feel highly complimented--even flattered. My only condition would be that Lady Birley completely approves of the project and is quite willing for the original to be sent to me. So far as I am concerned, the present one clearly belongs to Sir Oswald's estate and therefore to her; I have no reason for holding even a subconscious claim to it because until he could have had a chance to paint a replica the agreement did not come into force or existence.
I do not know exactly where the original would be hung, but several requests for one are pending. Even if it should be the general concensus of opinion that the picture I leave in the White House should be one in civilian clothes, I know there are several art galleries that would like to have a painting by Birley: another place is Columbia University.
With my grateful thanks for your kindly thought and suggestions, and with warm personal regard. As ever
1 Eisenhower's wartime friend had been Governor General of Canada until early 1952, when Churchill named him British Defense Minister (Galambos, NATO and the Campaign of 1952, no. 556, n. 3).
2 We have been unable to find this note in EM.
3 On Captain Sir Oswald Hornby Joseph Birley and on Lady Birley see ibid., no. 134.
4 For background on this arrangement see ibid., no. 359.
