PRESIDENT RICHARD M. NIXON - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 01/24/1973 - HFSID 254941

TWO DAYS AFTER THE VIETNAM PEACE AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED IN PARIS TO END THE WAR, PRESIDENT NIXON THANKS A U.S. SENATOR FOR HIS SUPPORT "DURING THESE DIFFICULT YEARS TO THE POLICIES THAT MADE THAT ACHIEVEMENT POSSIBLE"
 
RICHARD NIXON. Important Typed Letter Signed: "RN" as President, 1p, 6¾x9. The White House, Washington, 1973 January 24. To Senator Norris Cotton. In full: "Now that we have finally achieved peace with honor in Vietnam, I particularly want you to know how much I appreciated the support you have given during these difficult years to the policies that made that achievement possible. Without those in the Congress who stood steadfastly as you did, we could not have won the settlement that I announced last night. I know how great the pressures have been. I know the sort of attacks to which you have been subjected, as a result of following your conscience. But I also am confident that history will prove you to have been right, and that in the years to come you can look back with pride on a stern test nobly met." Two days earlier, on January 22, 1973, a Vietnam peace agreement was signed in Paris by representatives of the United States, North Vietnam, South Vietnam and the Vietcong. The peace agreement provided that there would be a cease-fire throughout North and South Vietnam, that U.S. forces would be withdrawn and bases dismantled within 60 days, that all POWs would be released within 60 days and that North and South Vietnam be reunified. It was not until April 20, 1975, that the South Vietnamese government announced its unconditional surrender to the Vietcong. Nixon, who had openly advocated sending U.S. troops to Vietnam in 1954 when the French withdrew, was credited with helping to end American involvement in the conflict. While this was most probably a form letter sent by the President to his supporters in Congress, it is personally signed with his initials which he reserved for his friends. NORRIS COTTON (1900-1989) was a Republican Senator from New Hampshire. Both Cotton and Nixon had begun their terms in the House in 1947. Cotton served until 1954, when he entered the U.S. Senate. Nixon became a U.S. Senator in 1950, Vice President in 1953 and President in 1969. Cotton was not a candidate for reelection in 1974. There was a contested election for his Senate seat and Cotton was appointed on August 8, 1975 to fill the vacancy caused by the contested election. He served from August 8 until September 18, 1975. Slightly creased. Paper clip impression at upper left blank margin, receipt stamp at upper right. Overall, fine condition.