Roosevelt Papers: Telegram
Prime Minister Churchill to President Roosevelt 1
most secret
[Aboard
The H.M.S. “Duke of
York”, December 22, 1941.]
Following for President from “Rejoined” Naval Person.
Impossible to reach mouth of Potomac before 6.30. p.m. E.S.T. which would be too late for plan you have so kindly made for us.2 Can anchor Hampton Roads Gate 4.15 p.m. E.S.T.
I should like to come on by aircraft to Washington Airfield reaching you in time for dinner.3
If weather prevents this could I have a train to Washington from whatever is most convenient starting point in the vicinity of Hampton Roads?
Please on no account come out to meet me either way. Looking forward so much to seeing you at the White House.
Winston
- Sent to Halifax and delivered by the British Embassy to the White House.↩
- No copy has been found of a telegram from Roosevelt to Churchill containing “the plan”, but Churchill (The Grand Alliance, p. 662) says that it “had been intended that we should steam up the Potomac and motor to the White House.”↩
- Arrangements were made for Churchill and his party to fly from Hampton Roads to Washington, arriving on the evening of December 22.↩