Colonial Society

negotiations and peace making in Vietnam, his furtherance of relations with
Communist China and the Soviet Union, and his virtual reformation of the
methods of making foreign policy are quite widely realized to be no small
achievement. Though he often is met with disagreement and dislike by those
who feel he carries far too much influence on national affairs, he is greeted
by the same people with compliments, however reluctant, of his startling
accomplishments in such little time.

As well as being recognized as geniuses of their ages, Franklin and Kissenger
have doubtless maintained the status of being among the most well-known men
in the world. Richard Morris, in his book _The Peacemakers_ states that Benjamin
Franklin, except for Voltaire, was more widely known than any other man of his
day. This indubitably was to his great advantage in negotiating in Paris with
Frenchmen and Englishmen alike. An agreeable, affable sort of person, his
inventive mind and ageless humor led to an overwhelming popularity in Parisian
society. The old doctor was often viewed as the embodiment of the American
ideal. In France, America was believed to be a nation of farmers and philosophers,
a New World utopia of happy, tolerant, pious and free people, released from
the worries and evils of large cities. Franklin utilized his popularity and this
picture of America, and was careful in French society to be always seen as a
simple farmer with a coonskin cap.

It was this personal charm and inward cunning that brought France to a needed
alliance with America and convinced them of the worthiness of the colonial cause.

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Colonial Society

Franklin had easy access to the court of Versailles and easily became endeared to all who attended. The ladies soon began to pay special notice of him, and he kindly returned their attentions. In this way he was able to gain considerable influence in society, and coupled with his great sense of humor that appealed to the men, accomplished several things in Paris that few other men, and probably no other American, could possibly do.

Henry Kissenger in modern times is also no stranger to immense popularity, and world-wide acclaim. His personal wit and sense of humor has often won over many an adversary. The most sought after dinner companion in Washington he is continuously held in awe by the foreign peoples. He too has built up perhaps an over-exaggerated reputation with the ladies, but this has served him well in dealing with other peoples. It has made him appear more human and enabled him to deal with such men as Le Duc Tho and Chou En-Lai on a more individual basis. Kissenger himself gives great credit to his easy, friendly relations with the North-Vietnamese and Chinese negotiators, realizing it to be quite beneficial to his nation's aims. Kissenger uses his personality and popularity with a similar agility to Franklin, though the modern doctor's is probably not as extensive as his revolutionary counterpart's. Both men were well aware of the merits of "good press" and this to no small ends has strengthened the popularity and influence of each man.

It is most significant that both men participated in peace negotiations. Here, each man was able to display his diplomatic abilities to the fullest. Franklin though

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Colonial Society

often stating his view that "Peace could not be too dearly bought" never
allowed himself to be placed in such a position as to negotiate a peace that
would sacrifice his nation's independence or most essential national interests.
He yielded only on points that were mere trivals; he compromised only on those
points which were inessentials. He displayed his prowess in effecting a lasting
peace by insisting on acknowledgement of American independence even before
the proceedings of treaty making could be instituted.

Kissenger also worked on much the same principles as Franklin. Not a man eager for wars merely to prove national virility, he believed that "there are certain principles for which nations are willing to fight." In spite of a public opinion that would have driven weaker men to a course of desperate peace on any terms, he persisted in what he believed the best course to follow. With consent of his chief, he maintained negotiations and endeavored to make peace at the best possible moment for U.S. national interests as he had studied and understood them. "It is not enough to say: we must put a stop to it. One must end a war wisely."

The differences between Franklin and Kissenger cannot be over-emphasized. Yet their striking similarities are indeed remarkable and distinctive marks of the great stateman that each is presently received as being. History has judged the first to be one of its most outstanding and commendable figures of all time.

Dr. Kissenger, however, is at no such advantage. His contemporaries are not in a position to judge him sufficiently. Whether he will in time be considered as great a man as Benjamin Franklin, his predecessor, can only be determined

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by time. As Kissenger once so aptly remarked "Posterity will be the judge."

Nobody, not even his most relentless foe, could affect this verdict.

CITY OF BURBANK

CALIFORNIA

JARVEY GILBERT, M.D.
VICE MAYOR

March 4, 1970

Dr. Henry Kissinger
White House
Washington, D. C.

Dear Dr. Kissinger,

I am asking illustrious people to contribute to a collection of "Prescriptions for Living" which I plan to display in the Burbank Public Library. I would be honored to have your contribution to this collection.

To participate, use the enclosed prescription blank to write your prescription to "Everyman, Everywhere".

It is important for authenticity that you _personally write_ and _sign_ the prescription. It may be in any vein that suits your fancy - humorous, serious, profound - or along any other line.

I look forward to hearing from you.

KISSINGER, HENRY A.

The White House
Washington

WHB013(0319)(2-234874E070)PD 03/11/73 0319

1973 MAR 11 AM 7 09

ICS. IPMBNGZ CSP

ZCZC 3136763744 TOBN GROSSE ILE MI 15 03-11 0319A EST

PMS MR KISSINGER

WHITE HOUSE DC

MR K

I URGE YOU TO TRY TO BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT CHECK ME OUT

DEMOTTE W GILBO

1973 MAR 12 AM 8 40

RECEIVED
KISSINGER'S OFFICE

FORM 0805 PRINTED BY THE STANDARD REGISTER COMPANY, U. S. A.

THE SUNDAY TIMES

Thomson House 200 Gray's Inn Road London WC1 Telegrams Sunday Times London WC1 Telex 22269 Telephone 01-837 1234
From the Deputy Editor.

24th February 1970

Dr Henry Kissinger,
The White House,
Washington D.C.,
U.S.A.

My dear Henry,

Here I am back in London, having achieved the journey
without any visible damage to the injured leg. It was
with a considerable effort that we tore ourselves away from
Washington, where I have had such a busy and instructive
week. Much of its value was due to the help and support
which you provided.

I really cannot thank you enough, my dear Henry, for
your very good services in getting me in to the President
and the Vice President, as well as talking to me so freely
and frankly yourself. All this was an act of friendship
which I can never forget. As for your final gesture in
coming specially to see me on Sunday night when I was laid
up with my stupid leg, that was an act of considerateness
beyond the price of reckoning. I do thank you from the
bottom of my heart for everything, above all your friendship.

As I think I told you, I found Washington far more
stimulating and alive than I had been led, or rather misled,
to expect. Partly, no doubt, this was due to the very high
grade contacts which I made, the highest ones due to you;
but also to the identifiable fact that contrary to what one
sometimes hears from Democratic friends, Republican Washington

TIMES NEWSPAPERS LIMITED

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Dr Henry Kissinger

24th February 1970

is not dull, unimaginative, inward-looking, pigeon-toed,
full of empty rhetoric, etc., etc. It may, of course,
be some part of some of these things, but I was able to
see for myself it was not all of all of them. For this
chance I am very grateful.

I have written the President a little line of thanks
for his kindness in receiving me; and am sending a similar
letter to the Vice President.

I wish I could think we could see you over here, but
fear that this will not be likely for the foreseeable future.

I hope both your flesh and your spirit remain triumphantly
intact under the severe pressure to which they must now be
subject. I have very little doubt about the latter, and
hope that a watchful deity will assure the former.

Once again, very, very many thanks for everything.

Wadsworth House · Cambridge 38

February 1, 1971.

Dr. Henry A. Kissinger
The White House
Washington. D. C. 20500

Dear Henry:

Your letter of January 23 arrived
just as I was going to drop you a line to
thank you for taking the time out from
your incredible schedule to take on the
Chicagos.

The meeting as you would gather, was
a resounding success. All of us would hope
this would be true for the same reason you
mentioned at luncheon, to make a pleasant
and successful farewell for the Puseys.

We here in the alumni office are most
indebted to you, as there is no question
that your willingness to take this on,
enabled us to set up a program which was
such a success. On looking ahead I am
reminded of the old saying of Xenophon
"may the skin of a gooseberry serve as an
umbrella against all your troubles."

ASSOCIATED HARVARD ALUMNI

Roswell B. Perkins '47, LL.B. '49, President, New York, N. Y.

Brent M. Abel '37, LL.B. '40
First Vice President, San Francisco, Cal.

Jon R. Lind '57, LL.B. '60
Secretary, Chicago, Ill.

James Jackson, Jr. '28, M.B.A. '30
Treasurer, Boston, Mass.

George W. Varn 2d '42
Vice President, Jacksonville, Fla.

Maurice Lazarus '37
Vice President, Boston, Mass.

Toby Citrin '56, LL.B. '59
Vice President, Detroit, Mich.

WADSWORTH HOUSE • CAMBRIDGE • MASSACHUSETTS 02138

Howard F. Gillette '35 (617) 495-5737
General Secretary

Peter D. Shultz '52 (617) 495-5731
Associate General Secretary

Reid B. Morrison '54 (617) 495-5731
Assistant General Secretary

December 28, 1970.

Dr. Henry A. Kissinger
The White House
Washington, D. C. 20500

Dear Henry:

Seeing you on the "Today's Show" last week reminded me that I have
been most negligent in writing to thank you for agreeing to take
on the Chicago meeting on the 22nd January. As you may know, I am
a fugitive from Chicago and, therefore, have far more than an
academic interest in the meeting and am delighted that you can do
this.

Having watched you aptly fend with Barbara Walters' questions, I
am sure that you will be equally adept at what I understand is
somewhat of a flood of letters from Bob Spindell. Bob is a devoted
fellow, but he sometimes reminds me of the old story of the person
who, when asked if one of his former classmates was still a good
friend said 'yes, he is a very good friend, but sometimes he over-
does it'.

Peter and I have both been out to Chicago during the last month and
they now have their working-team in good order and it should be one
of our better meetings.

I look forward to seeing you there and in the meantime, best wishes
for the New Year.

HFG/mc