Later, you wrote me that Arch himself was troubled about money. Perhaps, if he’d asked me directly to give him some, I might have done so. But that is not what he did.
In view of the above, I don’t think I’m to blame for the fact that my relations with him are not what he calls “normal.”
Anyway, I was very hurt by the whole thing, and when I said I had something to write you this was it. Much, much love
Truman
P.S. I was in London last week, and the Queen asked me to lunch. She was very bright and charming, and very pretty!147
[Collection Gerald Clarke]
TO ALVIN AND MARIE DEWEY
[Verbier, Switzerland]
22 Dec. 1962
Dearest All—
Your box came this morning: I decided not to wait for Christmas, but opened it right away—And I Love my shirt!—A Beautiful edition [sic] to my collection of these jaunty numbers. It was so sweet of you, and many thanks to all four of you!
Guess who’s here? David and Jennifer—both of whom send you their warmest greetings and wishes for the New Year. Jennifer is looking very beautiful—hard to believe she has a son [of] 22. But of course she takes such fantastic care of herself. They go back to California 5 Jan.
I had the wildest card from Myrt Clare—full of libelous accusations against the current Holcomb postmaster. Also had a card from Josie Meier, in which she said the Kansas authorities had told Wendle they would require his presence at the H. & S. executions.148 Why on earth would Wendle be asked and not Alvin? Please let me know as soon as you hear about the Supreme Court. I’ve met Byron White—he’s a close friend of the President’s.149 So if he doesn’t get a move on—
Had a cable that our house on Willow Street is all repainted and ready for our return. I wish I were there now—it has been snowing here for five days and the drifts are so deep poor Charlie J. can’t get out the door to (as I believe they say in polite society) take a leak. Or anything else.
So glad you didn’t split up my Christmas present: what could you each have done with $12.50? So much better to splurge it all at the Broadmoor.
Happy New Year, and please write me some sweet loving letters. Hugs
T.
[Collection New York Public Library]
TO WILLIAM SHAWN
[Verbier, Switzerland]
December 26, 1962
Dear Mr. Shawn—
Toward the end of next month Random House is publishing a book of ‘Selected Writings’ from my work—both fiction and non-fiction (including, among other things, the Brando profile and the Russian pieces).150 A great deal of work and care has gone into this book—which has an introduction by Mark Schorer. My reason for bringing the matter to your attention is to avoid the resentment I shall most certainly feel if the magazine treats me as it always has in the past: most insultingly. So if the magazine cannot review my book seriously and at some length (I said seriously, not favorably), then I ask you to see that it is not mentioned at all.
My Kansas work goes very well: I am really pleased—though exhausted. As for Kansas itself—from all recent reports I think the final outcome is not far off: ought to know by February.
I don’t know whether to mail you Part Three or bring it myself. I’m not far from finishing it now. Oh God.
All good wishes for the New Year—
Yrs,
Truman C.
[Collection Unknown]
TO ALVIN AND MARIE DEWEY
[Verbier, Switzerland]
6 January 1963
Honey hearts
What a gay Christmas you had. Know what I did? Worked. Worked New Year’s eve, too. Must. Otherwise I won’t have got where I want to before leaving here. So I go to bed at ten and get up at four day in, day out.
Thanks for the clipping about the Clutter memorial. I contributed to the fund more than a year ago, and thought by now the thing would be completed. But it looks as if it will be quite nice.
Yes, we must talk to the Tates and McCoys151 about Colorado. Do you know a place called Steamboat Springs?
I do wish we could hear soon from the Supreme Court. However, do you realize Perry has not yet filed an appeal? Just Hickock. I believe it’s a trick to make the thing take twice as long. I’ve asked Cliff to investigate.
Am planning to come home by plane. Provided Swissair will let Charlie sit with me. He’s much too delicate and nervous to be put with the luggage. God, what a trip—with Charlie and Sister and about a million dollars worth of overweight baggage.
Have you rcvd. the ‘Selected Writings’ book? Read ‘A House on the Heights.’ It’s about 70 Willow. Mark Schorer, who wrote the Introduction, is head of the English Dept. at the University of California.
It’s 7 P.M. I’m going to have a cold, cold martini. I need it.
Who loves you?
T does (for one).
[Collection New York Public Library]
TO NEWTON ARVIN
[Verbier, Switzerland]
11 January 1963
Poor dear Sige—
How awful! About your diabetes. Most of all, I would so hate not being able to have a drink. But of course I thought I’d never be able to stop smoking—but I did. And don’t miss it anymore. Well, I am sorry honey, and I do hope you are feeling better and will take good care.
Am so looking forward to the arrival of the Longfellow. Will let you know soon as it comes. I hope the newspaper strike ends before publication day! I know it will get marvelous reviews.
My book will soon be three-quarters done (something over a 100,000 words), and I can’t wait to leave here. I certainly intend to by the end of next month. I am weary beyond words of snow and mountains and isolation and the goddam Swiss, the ugliest race alive. The drabbest American alley would look like paradise to me.
I love you very much. All hugs
T.
[Collection Smith College Library]
TO BENNETT CERF
[Verbier, Switzerland]
14 January 1963
Dearest Bennett—
Hope this catches you before you leave for Barbados (gosh, how I wish I were going with you!). Anyway, when you get back I will have Part Three (over 40,000 words) of the book for you to read—and believe me truly you have an experience in store! But before I let you read it you must reread the first two parts. Part Four, in the works, is a book in itself—but at least I’m in the home stretch!
Thank you so much for sending the gift copies of my “Selected Writings.”
For tax-reasons, I would now like to have a $12,000 advance on “In Cold Blood.” I would like to have two separate checks, each for $6,000. sent to me here in Verbier. Mucho gracias!
Do hope you and dearest Phyllis and the Hornblows [Arthur and Leonora]1 (give them my love) have a marvelous holiday. All love—T.
[Collection Columbia University Library]
TO ALVIN AND MARIE DEWEY
[Verbier, Switzerland]
16 January 1963
Honey Hearts—
I just stopped working: I’ve been typing for seven hours, it’s now six-thirty—my cocktail hour. Am writing you and sipping an icy-cold dry martini: lovely combination of activities.
Bless you for the Clippings and Marie’s sweet letter. I guess I didn’t make myself very clear. “A House on the Heights” is the title of a piece in the book I sent you, and which surely must have arrived by now—it was sent from New York, not here. The book will be published Feb. 18th—So I do hope the New York newspaper strike is over by then—because of the reviews and advertising.
For the last few days I’ve been haunted by the notion I would at any moment be getting a cable re H. & S. and the Supreme Court. I told Cliff to cable me, but he is so stingy about cabling. I don’t know why—it’s my money, not his. Yesterday, the 15th, he was supposed to have interviewed two men in Topeka that would have settled once and for all the question of my attending the H. & S. farewell. Why shouldn’t he have cabled me the results?!
Alvin, I don’t think you ought to go off your diet at all if you have to pay for it to such a degree. It does worry me—thinking of you away from home and feeling ill.
Marie wrote: if they won’t let me have Charlie on the plane, will they let him on the train. But darling, how does a train get across the ocean? Poor little Charlie, he really has a hard time with his bronchitis.
Love to the boys, and Mother Dewey, and our New Orleans kinfolk. Hugs and kisses
T.
[Collection New York Public Library]
TO NEWTON ARVIN
[Postcard]152
[Verbier, Switzerland]
[ca. 19 January 1963]
CAPOTE’S INDEPENDENT DETERRENT154
Take heed, Sige, or my friend Charlie J. will get hold of you: he’s trained to bite all literary critics! Especially ones named Kazin.
I hope you are feeling much better. As you can see, I’m a mite too plump.
Your book has not yet arrived.
All love
T.
[Collection Smith College Library]
TO ALVIN DEWEY
[Verbier, Switzerland]
22 Jan. 1963
Dear Alvin—
Well, I finally heard from Cliff the results of his Topeka conferences re my attendance at the H. & S. farewells. The answer was No (Reason given: so many requests). I was merely the first to make a request! And hired a lawyer to do it! Jesus! However, it is not an answer I intend to accept. We shall see. But the important thing is—You. I think you best start maneuvering right now. Find out. Because if worse comes to worse I intend to bribe Hickock to designate me as a witness; I think he is allowed two, so maybe I could bribe him to designate both of us (money to go to his mother).
Alvin, I hope
