Presidential Papers
Document #243; July 18, 1957
To John Hay Whitney
Series: EM, AWF, Administration Series
Dear Jock: It seems that I have had two or three notes from you since I last sent you a reply.1
First, Mamie talked to Betsey last evening--I got into the conversation for a few minutes through interruption by practically physical force. Mamie had such a laugh over some story that I insisted Betsey tell it to me. It was your remark about having sacrificed the ultimate for your country when you felt compelled to give a cocktail party for Adlai.2 I told her to remind you that there was such a thing as diplomatic sickness.
Our plans for a summer vacation are crystallized, at least to the extent that if we are able to leave Washington at all for a stay of two or more weeks, we shall go to the Naval Base at Newport, Rhode Island.3 That spot offered to us all the necessary communications, protection, privacy and, we hope, improved climate.
I have just glanced at the map and see that Newport is a little less than forty miles from Fishers Island. If landing fields are handy, we should be able to play a daily golf game by commuting by airplane. It seems to me that a boat trip, even a fairly fast one, would be a rather laborious business, unless, of course, there was good fishing both ways. In any event we will look forward to seeing you both.
I just recall that you spoke of the Fishers Island course as a "real" golf course.4 If you mean one of these tough ones with a dozen sand traps on every hole, water, ditches, wind, and all sorts of natural and unnatural hazards, you will have to find another playmate. My idea of a good golf course is 290 yard par 4s, the par 3s with no traps, and everything over 400 yards in the par 5 bracket.I am more than pleased that you find it possible to come home rather than go to Culzean this summer. You can do that later, either through Jimmy Gault or through Mr. Gray (who is always on the job in Ayrshire).5 Incidentally, I know that you have met Jimmy Gault, but when we knew him through the war years and later, we always thought of him in connection with his wife, named Peggy.6 She is a delightful person, truly a charming Scotch lady.
What happened between them I do not know, but I understand that he is very anxious to get a divorce from her. I have always thought that this was practically impossible in Britain, but it sounds as if he wanted to marry someone else. I thought I should tell you this inasmuch as I asked him to act for me in making the arrangements at Culzean.
With warm personal regard, As ever
P.S. My hope is that we can go to Newport not later than August tenth.
http://www.eisenhowermemorial.org/presidential-papers/second-term/documents/243.cfm#4