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Adlai E. Stevenson Papers 1861-2001 (mostly 1952-1965)
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Download PDF Subseries 5D: United States Ambassador to the United Nations
Boxes 340-352, 651
This collection is stored at Mudd Manuscript Library.
Requests will be delivered to Public Policy Papers, MUDD Reading Room .
Collection Creator: Stevenson, Adlai E. (Adlai Ewing), 1900-1965. .
Dates: 1946-1947.
Extent: Boxes 340-352, 651
Languages: English.
Access Restrictions
The collection is open to research.
Description
This subseries includes correspondence, subject files, statements, meeting notes, memoranda, and briefing notes illuminating the crises and issues that Stevenson addressed during his tenure as ambassador to the United Nations. These papers are arranged alphabetically by folder title and show Stevenson's involvement with the Cuban Missile Crisis, Cyprus, Congo, Israel, and Vietnam. Previously classified documents, released in 1987 by the State Department, are fully integrated into this subseries. The correspondence is arranged alphabetically by last name of the correspondent. Much of this correspondence is with Assistant Secretary of State Harlan Cleveland and other State Department officials. Chronological files of outgoing correspondence, most of which is duplicated in the correspondence series, is arranged chronologically, with Stevenson's personal correspondence arranged first. Additional correspondence written in response to specific events, such as Stevenson's exchange with Zorin during the Cuban Missile Crisis, is included with the files pertaining to those events.
Particularly significant are Stevenson's handwritten notes, taken during meetings with the Secretary General, President, and the Security Council. In cases where the meeting was devoted to a single issue, the notes are arranged in the appropriate subject file; however, the majority of the meetings addressed a variety of issues. Because these notes are in Stevenson's hand and contain his unique abbreviations, they are in some cases difficult to decipher.
The files on United Nations financing document both fundraising through bond issues and the Article 19 controversy. By 1963, the Soviet Union had fallen into arrears due to their refusal to pay their allocation for U. N. peacekeeping efforts which they did not support. According to the U. N. charter, the Soviet Union could have voting rights in the General Assembly rescinded if they did not meet their financial obligations. Another major issue during Stevenson's tenure, the possible admission of Communist China to the United Nations, was protested by the American public; Stevenson received petitions signed by individuals opposing Chinese representation.
These papers also deal with the administrative side of the United States Mission, including personnel matters, budget, and appointment of officials. The protocol reports document the important social aspects of Stevenson's position.
Preferred Citation
Subseries 5D: United States Ambassador to the United Nations; 1946-1947; Adlai E. Stevenson Papers, Public Policy Papers, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, Princeton University Library.