Nixon White House Tapes ›Tape 31 › Conversation 031-123

Nixon phone call with an unidentified caller on Charles W. Colson

Wednesday, October 18, 1972 · 5:45 PM–6:16 PM ET · White House Telephone ·11 sec

ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President); White House operatorConversation031-123 onTape 31StartWednesday, October 18, 1972 at 5:45 PMEndWednesday, October 18, 1972 at 6:16 PMRecording deviceWhite House TelephoneSourceNixon Library record for 031-123 ↗

AI Summary

President Nixon initiates a brief telephone request through the White House operator to be connected with Charles W. Colson. This communication serves as a logistical step to facilitate a direct conversation between the President and his special counsel. No substantive policy matters are discussed, as the interaction is limited to placing the call.

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 Do not cite it as authoritative — verify against the audio and the finding aid.

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Yes, Colson, please.

Thank you.

NARA Description

On October 18, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 5:45 pm and 6:16 pm. The White House Telephone taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 031-123 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid

Conversation No. 31-123

Date: October 18, 1972

                                        (rev. Oct-06)

Time: Unknown between 5:45 pm and 6:16 pm
Location: White House Telephone

The President talked with the White House operator.

[See Conversation No. 369-12]

        Request for a call to Charles W. Colson

Also recorded on October 18, 1972

031-120 5:28 PM · 4 min — John D. Ehrlichman, White House operator, unknown person(s), William E. Timmons, and President Richard M. Nixon talked on the telephone at an unknown time between 5:28 pm and 5:38 pm.
031-122 5:43 PM · 13 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Thelma C. ("Pat") (Ryan) Nixon talked on the telephone from 5:43 pm to 5:45 pm.
804-002 5:43 PM · 13 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Thelma C. ("Pat") (Ryan) Nixon met in the Oval Office of the White House from 5:43 pm to 5:45 pm.
369-012 5:45 PM · 10 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and the White House operator met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 5:45 pm and 6:16 pm.
804-003 5:45 PM · 13 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 5:45 pm and 5:50 pm.
369-010 5:50 PM · 13 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Manolo Sanchez met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 5:50 pm and 6:14 pm.
369-011 5:50 PM · 13 sec — President Richard M. Nixon and Dr. W. Kenneth Riland met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 5:50 pm and 6:16 pm.
804-004 5:50 PM · 1 min — United States Secret Service agents and Alexander P. Butterfield met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 5:50 pm and 11:59 pm.

All 86 conversations from October 18, 1972 →

Cite this conversation

Conversation 031-123, October 18, 1972. White House Tapes, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives. Audio and AI transcript via Easy Nixon, https://www.easynixon.org/tapes/031-123 (accessed September 18, 2026).