Presidential Papers, Doc#48 Personal To Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller, 23 February 1957. In The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower
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Doc #49

Document #48; February 23, 1957
To Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller
Series: EM, AWF, Administration Series ; Category: Personal
The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, Volume XVIII - The Presidency: Keeping the Peace
Part I: A New Beginning, Old Problems; January 1957 to May 1957
Chapter 1: The Mideast and the Eisenhower Doctrine

 

Dear Nelson: Because she knew of my interest, Mrs. Whitman showed me the exchange of correspondence you had with a mutual friend of ours.1 While I have never read the article referred to, I am familiar with its contents. I am delighted that you are continuing to take a friendly interest in an individual who, regardless of anything in the past, is obviously a sensitive character, devoted to his country and well informed in the international field.2

I personally think that the advice you gave him in your letter represents the wisest course, provided he finds it possible to follow it.3

For my part, I am truly grateful to you for being helpful in this situation, as you are in so many others.

With warm regard, As ever

1 For background on former White House aide Rockefeller, see Galambos and van Ee, The Middle Way, no. 1203. Eisenhower was referring to Rockefeller's contacts with Arthur H. Vandenberg, Jr., son of the late Republican Senator Arthur H. Vandenberg. For background on the younger Vandenberg, who had served as the national chairman of the Citizens for Eisenhower Committee in 1952, see ibid., no. 1183.

2 Vandenberg, who had previously served as a consultant to Nelson Rockefeller in the International Basic Economy Corporation, had written Rockefeller in mid-January (AWF/A, Rockefeller Corr.) stating that his life had been "grievously upset" following a "smear" in Confidential magazine. Vandenberg explained that he had felt compelled to resign from his position as instructor in international relations at the University of Miami due to the "nearly ruinous impact" of the affair on his "nerves and health." Furthermore, he now found himself financially obliged to sell his house at a loss. See also New York Times, September 26, 1956.

3 Rockefeller had responded to Vandenberg (Jan. 17, 1957, AWF/A) that "few people have as good a background as do you" in international affairs. He suggested that Vandenberg attempt to return to the university. "You might also consider publishing some of your lectures," Rockefeller wrote, and "do more in the way of writing articles commenting on current events." Rockefeller suggested that Vandenberg would have greater security in the long run if he sold the house and moved "into an apartment in one of the new attractive buildings which seem to be going up all over Miami." Vandenberg would not, however, return to the university; he worked as a public relations consultant until his death on January 18, 1968 (New York Times, Jan. 19, 1968).

Bibliographic reference to this document:
Eisenhower, Dwight D. Personal To Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller, 23 February 1957. In The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, ed. L. Galambos and D. van Ee, doc. 48. 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/second-term/documents/48.cfm

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