Harry Truman Presidential TLS to Methodist Bishop G. Oxnam

TLS, 1p on bifolium, measuring 7" x 9", dated July 7, 1949, Washington, D.C. A brief letter boldly signed "Harry Truman" in which he assures Bishop Oxnam that nothing has changed regarding the work of Myron Taylor, who acted as the president's unofficial envoy to Pope Pius XII. Written during a time of intense friction between Truman and leading Protestant Bishops, following an attempt to replace Taylor with a more permanent envoy in the form of General Mark W. Clark. Exhibits some creasing at middle right, with minor handling marks and expected toning throughout. Overall, very good with large and pristine signature.

Reading in full:
"I have your letter of June thirteenth. As you surmise, there is no basis in fact for the statement in the press which you refer. At the present time no change is contemplated in the mission of Mr. Myron C. Taylor."

Garfield Bromley Oxnam (1891-1963) was a social reformer and Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church who, throughout his career, emphasized the importance of workers' rights and maintaining civil liberties. At the time this letter was written, Oxnam was embroiled in an especially nasty feud with New York's Cardinal Francis Spellman and strongly objected to the United States establishing official relations with the Holy See. The Bishop, in turn, viewed the potential appointment of Clark as a violation of the separation between church and state.

Myron Charles Taylor (1874-1959) was first approached by then-President Franklin Roosevelt in 1938 to attend the Evian Conference in France to discuss the growing number of Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution leading up to the onset of World War II. Later in 1939, FDR asked him to become is personal envoy to Pope Pius XII, which he continued to serve throughout Roosevelt's presidency and subsequently into Truman's until his resignation in 1950.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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