^Lot 22 Dwight D. Eisenhower

TLS, signed “Ike E.,” one page, 7 x 10.25, personal letterhead, January 28, 1963. Eisenhower writes from Palm Desert, California to Robert Cutler, his former National Security Advisor (the first individual to hold the post) in Boston. In part: “While I cannot personally either agree or disagree with your conclusions about the Chinese intentions, I certainly do agree that all Communist history would indicate that they—and especially the Chinese Reds—will never miss an opportunity to attack or embarrass the West anytime that they think they can get away with it. It seems to me that it would be out of character for the Chinese Reds to give up all their intentions vis-a-vis India…. Incidentally, after coming here to the desert I developed some kind of difficulty in my shoulder (I do not think it is bursitis) and I am under treatment of two different places where they either rub me or boil me!…” In 1962 the Chinese scored a decisive military victory in the Sino-Indian War, reclaiming a disputed area between China and India and declaring a unilateral cease-fire in November. A decade earlier, as president-elect, Eisenhower was able to stop the Chinese through a combination of hints at nuclear war, the death of Joseph Stalin, and his own military reputation. In fine condition, with mild soiling and handling wear, and a couple of faint pencil notations.