PRESIDENT KENNEDY THANKS A CONGRESSWOMAN FOR “BRINGING ME THE CRUCIFIX THE OTHER MORNING”

JOHN F. KENNEDY (1917-1963).  Kennedy was the Thirty-Fifth President.

TLS. 1pg. 6 ¾” x 9”. October 8, 1962. The White House.  A typed letter signed “John Kennedy” as President on “The White House” letterhead.  He wrote to Congresswoman Corrine B. Riley of South Carolina: “As you know, I was particularly pleased by your thoughtfulness in bringing me the Crucifix the other morning during the coffee hour.  However, I wanted you to have this note conveying my thanks and appreciation.”  President Kennedy largely downplayed his Catholic faith during the campaign and during his Presidency.  I searched comprehensive auction databases, and I could find no other Kennedy Presidential letter mentioning his Catholicism.  Congresswoman Riley was a Methodist and a fellow Democrat, but she decided to honor Kennedy’s Catholic faith by gifting him a Crucifix.  As this letter was written a week before the Cuban Missile Crisis began, Kennedy was going to need the Crucifix and all other help he could to solve the problem with the USSR.  The letter has a horizontal mailing fold and is has had some professional restoration to remove marks left by Mrs. Riley; the original White House mailing envelope is included.  A terrific Kennedy letter about his Catholic faith.