Messersmith, G.S., Mexico City. To W[ilbur] Owen Sypherd, Newark, Del.
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University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
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Original in Sypherd Papers. Has finally started dictating notes for books; already has seven or eight hundred pages of notes; had thought of book on Europe covering period 1930 to 1937, another on work in Latin America, and a third on Foreign Service practice; realized much of material on Europe and Latin America should not be published yet as it deals too intimately with people still living, and that a book in the form of memoirs would be more readable than a didactic treatise on the Foreign Service; has dictaphone at house in Cuernavaca and another at house in Mexico City; has supplied two secretaries with typewriters and dictaphone machines for their homes; sends them the recorded notes which they transcribe and return; both are excellent and so far has had to make few corrections; dictating from memory and at random; memory for facts still good, but chronology may be off and has to be checked; sending some of the notes to Sypherd; doesn't want him to go to great trouble, but would appreciate his reading them and commenting; while in New York on next trip North will be seeing Alfred Knopf and if Sypherd agrees will talk to him about Sypherd's book; believes ways and means can be found to publish book; doesn't expect to mention his own book to Knopf as it is a little premature; plans to leave here with Marion [Mrs. Messersmith] about May 15; has to be in New York May 31 and June 1 and in Toronto during last week in June; otherwise has no particular obligations; will make headquarters at Hotel Carlyle in New York; during time in Wilmington with Caleb and Helene Layton could come to Newark and spend day and night with Sypherd if that is agreeable; if President of University [John A. Perkins] is there at the time would also like to see him; though retired, days spent in Mexico City very full; many friends still come for advice; Marion says of days spent there not much different from days before retirement except that Messersmith no longer brings home any pesos; always glad to get back to Cuernavaca.