Typed Letter From Future Supreme Court Chief Justice Fred Vinson, Sent The Day Before Fdr’s Death

FRED VINSON (1890-1953). Vinson served as the 53rd United States Secretary of the Treasury between 1945-1946 and the 13th Chief Justice of the United States from 1946 until his death. To date, he is the last Chief Justice appointed by a Democratic president. TLS. 1 pg. 7” x 10”. April 11, 1945. The White House Washington. A typed letter signed “Fred” to “Snooks”: “Thank you for your very gracious congratulatory message of April 8th. It was kind of you to take the time to write and I trust that my administration of this responsible and difficult task will always merit your confidence”. This letter, from Fred Vinson to Andrew Winters of the West Virginia State Senate, is in reference to Vinson’s appointment as Director of War Mobilization and Reconversion on April 4th. Yet just one day after this letter was sent, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt passed away, and Harry Truman assumed the presidency. Truman’s ascent would lead to a meteoric rise for Vinson, as he would be Chief Justice by the following summer. As Chief Justice, Vinson was a staunch ally of Truman and his administration, including in controversially supporting Truman’s seizure the steel industry during the Korean War. The nickname “Snooks” derived from Winters’ pre-politics role as chief steward for the West Virginia Racing Commission. The letter is in excellent condition with some minor folds.