Presidential Papers, Doc#1159 Confidential To David Kirkpatrick Este Bruce, 16 November 1954. In The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower
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Document #1159; November 16, 1954
To David Kirkpatrick Este Bruce
Series: EM, WHCF, Confidential File: State Department ; Category: Confidential
The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, Volume XV - The Presidency: The Middle Way
Part VI: Crises Abroad, Party Problems at Home; September 1954 to December 1954
Chapter 13: "A new phase of political experience"

 

Dear David:1 Foster tells me that he asked you to take on the duties of "Ambassador-at-Large" here in Washington and that you declined. While I quite understand why you and Vangie2 would not want to be stationed here, I had so set my heart on impressing you into the service here that I am bolden to ask you to think it over once more. I think you could be most helpful for the next couple of years; your experience, your talents and your personality would all be valuable, particularly under the political situation which must now exist here.3

Of course I realize that you and Vangie may have reasons that I or anyone else would consider overriding. In such case I assure you that I accept your decision without further question. But if your reasons are, to you, less compelling, then I merely say that I would be most appreciative of your taking a second look at the proposition.4

Mamie joins me in love to your nice bride, and, of course, in warmest regard to yourself. As ever

1 For background on David K. E. Bruce, who had served as Ambassador to France and as Under Secretary of State, see Galambos, NATO and the Campaign of 1952, nos. 16 and 1016.

2 Bruce's second wife was the former Evangeline Bell.

3 Bruce was a Democrat, and his party had won majorities in both Houses in the November 2 elections. Dulles had spoken about bipartisanship in foreign policy at his news conference the previous day and had mentioned the contributions that David Bruce had made as a consultant and adviser on European unity. "He is," Dulles said, "one of many Democrats on whom I depend in the current conduct of foreign relations" (Dulles to Eisenhower, Nov. 15, 1954, AWF/D-H; see also Telephone conversation, Dulles and Hickenlooper, Nov. 16, 1954, Dulles Papers, Telephone Conversations).

4 The Ambassador would again decline the offer. "I am deeply grateful to you for your continued confidence in me," he wrote, "and I have given renewed and careful consideration to the question of working in the State Department. However, I feel definitely that I am not prepared to do so. I believe I would not be useful in a position for which I have neither aptitude nor inclination" (Bruce to Eisenhower, Dec. 1, 1954, same file as document).

Bibliographic reference to this document:
Eisenhower, Dwight D. Confidential To David Kirkpatrick Este Bruce, 16 November 1954. In The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, ed. L. Galambos and D. van Ee, doc. 1159. World Wide Web facsimile by The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission of the print edition; Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1996, http://www.eisenhowermemorial.org/presidential-papers/first-term/documents/1159.cfm

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