JAMES F. BYRNES
Byrnes signed this typed letter on Department of State letterhead to Basil O'Connor, FDR's law partner, less than four months after Byrne became Secretary of State under President Harry S. Truman.
Typed letter signed "James F Byrnes" as Secretary of State. 1 page, 6¾x9, on Department of State letterhead and embossed with the Great Seal in upper right corner. December 12, 1945. To Basil O'Connor, FDR's law partner, with O'Connor & Farber stamp in blue ink on back, indicating this letter was received on Dec. 17, 1945. In full: "Dear Mr. O'Connor: The Secretary did not have an opportunity to autograph your photograph for you before leaving. I shall hold the request on his desk and send the picture to you at some future date. Sincerely, JAMES F. BYRNES". Byrnes had succeeded Edward R. Stettinius as Secretary of State on July 2, 1945, so it is possible that Byrnes was referring to him as "the Secretary". At the time of this letter, Stettinius represented the United States at the United Nations and made frequent trips to confer with his successor as Secretary of State and may have had an office in the State Department. In a remarkable career, James F. Byrnes (1879-1972) had also represented South Carolina in the House and Senate and as Governor as well as serving 15 months (1941-1942) as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. Lightly toned and creased. Stamp on verso shows through on front (does not touch signature). Typing is lightly smeared in places. Otherwise in fine condition.