Three letters by Ted Kennedy, including a three-page ALS and two one-page TLSs, dated 1969-1970, all to Newbold Noyes, editor of the Washington Evening Star. The ALS, December 12, 1969, headed "Personal & Confidential," pertaining to the Chappaquiddick incident, in full: "I wanted you to know that I was personally shocked to see the Evening Star editorial and cartoon of December 11 concerning the legal decision on the petition by Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Kopechne. The clear implication of both was that this decision and previous court decisions in this matter deliberately thwarted justice at each step. The cartoon mocked the very real distress of the Kopechne family at the prospect of an autopsy. The editorial furthermore implied that this and previous court decisions in this matter have been influenced by the fact that 'one of the principals is both rich and powerful.' This implication is not only an insult to me: it is an insult to the courts which have been involved in this matter. If the editors of the Evening Star truly believe that decisions have been based not on the merits but on personality then I am appalled by your cynicism. If you do not believe this then the Star should stop implying it in its editorial column." Includes the original transmittal envelope, addressed in Kennedy's hand.
In a TLS of May 5, 1970, Kennedy opines on another editorial, in part: "You may remember that I wrote you last December expressing my deep distress at an editorial…about my accident last summer. With that letter in mind, I wanted to write once again to say that I thought your editorial of May 10 was fair and balanced. I was impressed by the reasonable tone of the editorial and I appreciate its thoughtfulness." The third letter, a TLS of July 21, 1970, conveys a further rapprochement: "I just wanted to tell you again how much I enjoyed having the chance to sit down with the editors of the Evening Star. I think it was a useful session, and I appreciate your hospitality…I have just read an editorial from the Los Angeles Times on D.C. representation…I think you are doing a commendable job in this regard, and I'm sure we in the Congress will be seeing the effects of it." In overall fine condition. Accompanied by Noyes's retained carbon copy of his response to the May 1970 letter.
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