Dear Milton: Had your South American trip been undertaken and the report on it written by anyone else, I should, of course, have gone to great pains to write a glowing letter of appreciation and thanks.1 In your case this does not seem appropriate, for several reasons.
In the first place, I feel a bit diffident about complimenting anyone on a task where his competence in the particular field is so clearly superior to mine. In your knowledge of South America and your ability as a writer, I would not be bold enough to claim equality with you.
In the second place, one of the purposes of a letter of commendation is to leave a record of the recipient's accomplishment in the public service. I doubt that your own record could possibly be embellished by a compliment from me.
Finally, how does anyone go about the writing of a commendation for his own brother; that is, for a man who knows all the writer's failings, foibles, idiosyncrasies, and even stupidities?
After all this, I still think it is completely proper for me to say that I am deeply grateful to you--and to Helen for accompanying you on the trip--and to express my belief that you have performed, again, a distinct and valuable service to your country. As ever
