* Just Days Before Leaving The White House For The Last Time *
29th President. Typed letter signed “Warren G. Harding" AS PRESIDENT, two pages of a bifolium on White House letterhead, 7 x 9 inches, June 7, 1923.
In anticipation of his forthcoming trans-continental tour to Alaska and Canada called the “Voyage of Understanding”, President Harding writes to Secretary of State Charles E. Hughes, regarding plans to visit Vancouver. Harding would never return to Washington as he would suffer a massive heart attack in California on August 2, 1923 and pass way.
My dear Mr. Secretary:
Referring to yours of May 24th, in which you enclosed to me a copy of the letter addressed to the British Embassy by Lieutenant Governor Tait of Vancouver, I will be glad if you will advise the Embassy that our plans are to stop at Vancouver on the return trip from Alaska arriving there in the forenoon of July 26th. I also have the later letter of Mr. Harrison making inquiry whether it will be pleasing to accept the hospitality of the Province of British Columbia at that time. I will be glad to have you inform the British Embassy that it will be both agreeable and pleasing to be guests of the Government of British Columbia during our stay at Vancouver. No precise plans have been prescribed but I had a call from the United States Consul at Vancouver...I would be glad to be a participant in a small and more or less official luncheon party after which I would be glad to make a public address, to which the general public would be invited. Consul Rider expressed the opinion that there is a park adjacent to the Club which would be employed for a luncheon party where the public could by accommodated with convenience and he inclined to think that to be the most desirable arrangement. I instructed him to say that such a plan would be entirely acceptable to me. I would not desire, under any circumstances, to be committed to more than one speaking engagement.
I would like the information conveyed that it is not possible for Mrs. Harding to accept any Club entertainment. She greatly appreciates the suggestion of an invitation from the Women's Canadian Club, but the conservation of her strength while traveling is a matter of such great importance that she has denied every club invitation which emanated from the cities on our route across the United States and it would not be at all consistent for her to accept a club invitation in British Columbia after declining all of them in the United States. I would be glad if you will further advise the Embassy that Mr. Riddle was informed that I would be glad to meet him or any representative of the City of Vancouver or the Government of British Columbia to confirm all arrangements prior to my sailing for Alaska. It will be possible for such a representative to see me personally at Tacoma, Washington, on the morning of July 5th. We are embarking from that port for Alaska.
Very truly yours,
Warren G. Harding
In the Spring of 1923, the President, along with his wife Florence Harding and a number of officials, embarked on a trans-continental tour to Alaska and Canada, the first President to do so, known as The Voyage of Understanding, where he attended the completion of the Alaska railroad in Nenena, attended formal events, met with Canadian officials, and spoke before a large crowd of citizens. He then proceeded on to California, stopping July 31 in San Francisco. The President, having grown ill, passed away on August 2 and the remainder of the tour was canceled.
In very good condition, stamped “Secretary of State” and “Under Secretary of State” on first page. Toned around the edges and creased at the center. Harding's signature is bold and dark.
* Just Days Before Leaving The White House For The Last Time *
29th President. Typed letter signed “Warren G. Harding" AS PRESIDENT, two pages of a bifolium on White House letterhead, 7 x 9 inches, June 7, 1923.
In anticipation of his forthcoming trans-continental tour to Alaska and Canada called the “Voyage of Understanding”, President Harding writes to Secretary of State Charles E. Hughes, regarding plans to visit Vancouver. Harding would never return to Washington as he would suffer a massive heart attack in California on August 2, 1923 and pass way.
My dear Mr. Secretary:
Referring to yours of May 24th, in which you enclosed to me a copy of the letter addressed to the British Embassy by Lieutenant Governor Tait of Vancouver, I will be glad if you will advise the Embassy that our plans are to stop at Vancouver on the return trip from Alaska arriving there in the forenoon of July 26th. I also have the later letter of Mr. Harrison making inquiry whether it will be pleasing to accept the hospitality of the Province of British Columbia at that time. I will be glad to have you inform the British Embassy that it will be both agreeable and pleasing to be guests of the Government of British Columbia during our stay at Vancouver. No precise plans have been prescribed but I had a call from the United States Consul at Vancouver...I would be glad to be a participant in a small and more or less official luncheon party after which I would be glad to make a public address, to which the general public would be invited. Consul Rider expressed the opinion that there is a park adjacent to the Club which would be employed for a luncheon party where the public could by accommodated with convenience and he inclined to think that to be the most desirable arrangement. I instructed him to say that such a plan would be entirely acceptable to me. I would not desire, under any circumstances, to be committed to more than one speaking engagement.
I would like the information conveyed that it is not possible for Mrs. Harding to accept any Club entertainment. She greatly appreciates the suggestion of an invitation from the Women's Canadian Club, but the conservation of her strength while traveling is a matter of such great importance that she has denied every club invitation which emanated from the cities on our route across the United States and it would not be at all consistent for her to accept a club invitation in British Columbia after declining all of them in the United States. I would be glad if you will further advise the Embassy that Mr. Riddle was informed that I would be glad to meet him or any representative of the City of Vancouver or the Government of British Columbia to confirm all arrangements prior to my sailing for Alaska. It will be possible for such a representative to see me personally at Tacoma, Washington, on the morning of July 5th. We are embarking from that port for Alaska.
Very truly yours,
Warren G. Harding
In the Spring of 1923, the President, along with his wife Florence Harding and a number of officials, embarked on a trans-continental tour to Alaska and Canada, the first President to do so, known as The Voyage of Understanding, where he attended the completion of the Alaska railroad in Nenena, attended formal events, met with Canadian officials, and spoke before a large crowd of citizens. He then proceeded on to California, stopping July 31 in San Francisco. The President, having grown ill, passed away on August 2 and the remainder of the tour was canceled.
In very good condition, stamped “Secretary of State” and “Under Secretary of State” on first page. Toned around the edges and creased at the center. Harding's signature is bold and dark.
