WILSON. Autograph letter signed ("Woodrow Wilson") as President, to Senator James A. O'Gordon. Washington, D. C. 20 April 1913. 3 pages, on a bifolia, on White House stationery, retaining original envelope marked "Personal and Confidential".

Wilson writes O'Gorman regarding his nominee for Collector of the Port of New York.   Wilson does not favor O'Gorman's suggestion of Lawson Purdy, and writes that he will be nominating Frank Polk instead: "I would as soon think of asking the Secretary of the Treasury to take a man whom he did not feel he could act with as his first assistant in his Department as ask him to take a man whom he does not feel he can act with as Collector of the Port of New York...He has known Mr. Polk for a long time and intimately. He trusts him, believes in his capacity, feels that he is especially adapted to the duties of the office." Wilson shares that he has had Mr. Polk vetted and would like to submit his name to the Senate to confirm the appointment.  He concludes: "I shall hope to have a talk with you again, fur a fuller statement of my feeling and obligation in the matter, before I send the nomination to the Senate." 

[With:] WILSON. Autograph letter signed ("Woodrow Wilson") as President, to Senator James A. O'Gordon. Washington, D. C. 5 May 1913. 6 1/2 pages, on two bifolia, on White House stationery, retaining original envelope marked "Personal and Private".

An apparent response to the meeting mentioned in the previous letter between Wilson and O'Gorman.  Wilson writes to O'Gorman: "I was disturbed by what you said.  I am going to write you a few frank lines now in the hope that by so doing our thinking may never be at cross purposes again." Wilson shares his thoughts with O'Gorman about his interpretation of the "Constitutional relationship between the President and individual Senators," and his relationship with his cabinet. 

Following their meeting, Wilson says that he was "anxious, after our talk, to find it possible to agree with you and give the appointment to Mr. Lawson Purdy," but follows that after a detailed inquiry into Purdy's background, finds "he would be regarded, whatever his personal character and quality, as representing a recognition by the Administration of the Tammany organization, now more than ever discredited in the eyes of the country."  Ultimately, Wilson nominated John Purroy Mitchell to the position.  

[Also with:] WILSON. A group of 7 typed letters signed ("Woodrow Wilson"), as President, to Senator O'Gorman, June 1913-April 1917. Each one page, on White House stationery. Typically acknowledging the receipt of a letter. In one letter, dated 12 April 1917, Wilson thanks O'Gorman for his "spirit of patriotism which prompted your generous offer of service," sent days after the United States declared war on the German Empire, and apparently in response to O'Gorman's public offer to pick up a rifle and stand at post.  

[Also with:] ROOSEVELT, Franklin Delano (1882-1945). Typed letter signed ("Franklin D. Roosevelt"), as President. To Mrs. O'Gorman. 1 page, on White House Stationery. Offering his condolences on the death of her husband James O'Gorman.  -- Engraved invitation to Wilson's Inauguration, 4 March 1913.