President Nixon dictated a memorandum to speechwriter Raymond K. Price, Jr. regarding the preparation and thematic direction of his 1973 inaugural address. He provided specific instructions on the desired length of the speech and emphasized the need to address the status of Vietnam War negotiations in relation to ongoing military operations. The President further directed Price to incorporate international developments into the inaugural themes while managing the production schedule for the first draft.
On December 28, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon met in the President's office in the Old Executive Office Building at an unknown time between 12:39 pm and 2:20 pm. The Old Executive Office Building taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 380-014 of the White House Tapes.
Nixon Library Finding AidConversation No. 380-14
Date: December 28, 1972
Time: Unknown between 12:39 pm and 2:20 pm
Location: Executive Office Building
The President dictated a memorandum to Raymond K. Price, Jr.
1973 Inauguration
-Inaugural speech
-Material prepared by staff
-The President’s reading
The President replayed a portion of the recording.
The President’s resumed dictation.
1973 Inauguration
-Inaugural speech
-Length
-Duration
-Vietnam War
-Negotiations
-Compared to present level of military activity
-Instructions for Price
-Reading of materials prepared by staff
-Themes
-First draft
-Length
-23-
NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
(rev. Dec.-07)
Conversation No. 380-14 (cont’d)
-Timing
-The President’s schedule
-International developmentsThis transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.