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Conversation 499-006

TapeTape 499StartFriday, May 14, 1971 at 9:55 AMEndFriday, May 14, 1971 at 9:58 AMTape start time00:43:35Tape end time00:46:18ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Butterfield, Alexander P.;  McCowan, John;  Atkins, Oliver F. ("Ollie")Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon met with John McCowan, Alexander P. Butterfield, and White House photographer Oliver Atkins to facilitate a brief, cordial exchange of gifts and correspondence. During the meeting, the President presented McCowan with official pens and cufflinks while also arranging for the autographing of items for the visitor. The session concluded with the scheduling of a follow-up photograph and informal well-wishes regarding McCowan's travel plans.

Gift exchangeJohn McCowanPresidential protocolWhite House photographyDiplomatic courtesy
AudioNARA Description

On May 14, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon, Alexander P. Butterfield, John McCowan, and Oliver F. ("Ollie") Atkins met in the Oval Office of the White House from 9:55 am to 9:58 am. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 499-006 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 499-6

Date: May 14, 1971
Time: 9:55 am - 9:58 am
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Alexander P. Butterfield and John McCowan; Oliver F. (“Ollie”) Atkins
was present at the beginning of the meeting.

     McCowan's trip

     Presentation of gift to President

     Autograph
          -Thelma C. (Ryan) (“Pat”) Nixon, President

     Presentation of gifts by President
          -Pens, cufflinks

     McCowan's schedule
         -President
         -Mrs. Nixon

     McCowan's letters to the President

     McCowan's schedule

     Photograph

Butterfield and McCowan left at 9:58 am.
Transcript (AI-Generated)

This 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 Do not cite this transcript as authoritative.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.

President, Mr. John McAllister.
Yes, how do you do?
How do you do, Mr. McAllister?
Well, I want to welcome you to the bottom there.
Yes, I am.
Tonight was a good debate.
Well, thank you very much.
Have you had a good trip?
Yes, I have.
It was a good one, yes.
I'd like you to take that, so we'll get you that.
The President will thank you on that.
Oh, Michael, thank you very much.
You made it there.
Take this to the post.
What is this?
The author might sign that, sir, because I think it's a nice sign.
I'll see you there.
Sure.
He said he'd sign it.
I've got a letter for you.
I'll give you one of the pens, the pen I sent you.
That's the official pen we use to sign documents.
It's a box.
And also I want you to prove something else.
These are the terminals of the complex.
You see the seal that's present on it there in the floor.
Here it is on this.
You've got to have a memo after all.
No, we're just going to take it back to England.
All right.
There's your pen.
And there.
So we could, I've got to take off in a few weeks to go to Florida today, but Mrs. Nixon, I understand, won't see you this Saturday.
No, she's working.
She's all your life.
I do appreciate your friendship through the years, everything.
After all this, having heard from you, it's good to have you here.
I'm sorry you can't vote over here.
I'm sorry you can't vote over here.
Oh, yes, well, it is going to say that.
If I vote in Russian for you, I'm going to want to say it was last time.
That's right.
You can talk to me now.
That's right.
Okay.
Well, I wish you the very best.
I do appreciate you.
We'll send you a copy of this picture.
You can do it.
I'm going to be sure to sign that, too.
All right, sir.
Thanks.
Have a good one.
All right, thank you.
Bye.
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