Nixon White House Tapes › Tape 15 › Conversation 015-030

Nixon phone call with Buchanan on Abraham Lincoln and Civil War

Thursday, November 18, 1971 · 10:59 AM–11:00 AM ET · White House Telephone · 32 sec

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); Buchanan, Patrick J.Conversation015-030 on Tape 15 (tape position 00:35:37–00:36:09)StartThursday, November 18, 1971 at 10:59 AMEndThursday, November 18, 1971 at 11:00 AMRecording deviceWhite House TelephoneSourceNixon Library record for 015-030 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon tasked Patrick J. Buchanan with conducting historical research into Abraham Lincoln’s post-Civil War amnesty policies. The President specifically requested clarification on whether these amnesty provisions excluded deserters. Buchanan was directed to verify the historical details and report his findings back to Nixon.

  • Abraham Lincoln
  • Civil War
  • Amnesty
  • Presidential history
  • Research request

Audio

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Transcript (AI-generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI (WhisperX) and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Names and numbers are often wrong; speakers are not identified. Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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Mr. Buchanan, Mr. President.
Yes, sir.
Do a little research for me, if you would, on the Lincoln amnesty and the Civil War.
My recollection, I think, is correct that the amnesty, of course, was for
was naturally after the war, but that it was for those who fought on the other side, but not for deserters.
Right.
Now, check it and let me know, will you?
Yes, sir.

NARA Description

On November 18, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon and Patrick J. Buchanan talked on the telephone from 10:59 am to 11:00 am. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 015-030 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 15-30

Date: November 18, 1971
Time: 10:59 am - 11:00 am
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with Patrick J. Buchanan.

[See also Conversation No. 294-11B]

     Research request
          -Abraham Lincoln
                -Civil War amnesty
                      -Conditions

Also recorded on November 18, 1971

  • 015-026 10:54 AM · 12 sec — President Richard M. Nixon, White House operator, and Charles W. Colson talked on the telephone from 10:54 am to 10:55 am.
  • 294-008 10:54 AM · 20 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 10:54 am to 10:55 am.
  • 015-027 10:55 AM · 9 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 10:55 am.
  • 015-028 10:55 AM · 8 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at 10:55 am.
  • 294-009 10:55 AM · 27 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at 10:55 am.
  • 294-010 10:55 AM · 4 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at 10:55 am.
  • 294-011 10:55 AM · 1 hr 45 min — President Richard M. Nixon and Charles W. Colson met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building from 10:55 am to 12:42 pm.
  • 015-029 10:56 AM · 2 min — President Richard M. Nixon, White House operator, and Herbert Stein talked on the telephone from 10:56 am to 10:58 am.

All 77 conversations from November 18, 1971 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 015-030, November 18, 1971. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/015-030 (accessed October 1, 2026).