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Archive of six TLSs signed "Charles A. Lindbergh," totaling eight pages, 8.5 x 11, dated from 1946 to 1952. Lindbergh writes to Kenneth Ross to the "Explorers' Camp, Mancos, Colorado," regarding his the attendance of his sons Jon and Land. The letters reflect his deep concern for his sons' safety and privacy during their time at the "Explorers' Camp," especially regarding risky river expeditions and public attention due to the family name. While expressing strong parental oversight, Lindbergh also consistently praises the camp’s impact on his sons' growth, independence, and character.
Excerpts from the letters:
July 10, 1946: "In regard to the Colorado River trip, I gave Jon full authority to accompany you. I was under the impression, however, that the trip was to be taken by several of the boys from camp and that it did not involve extraordinary hazard. From your letter, I gather that you and Jon now plan on making the trip alone. This raises a number of questions in my mind since I know, from flying over it, how vicious the Colorado is in spots. Am I correct in my present assumption that no one will be going on this trip who has made it before? If not, do you feel that you have made a sufficiently detailed study of the rapids to be encountered under various water levels, i.e., very high water and very low water for the season involved. Have previous expeditions made the trip using equipment similar to yours? Have you navigated approximately similar rapids with similar equipment? Has Jon sufficient training in shooting rapids with this equipment to make it advisable for him to go without additional experience? I am not worried about the danger involved if the equipment to be used is carefully selected and if training and experience are adequate. I am firmly opposed however, to Jon's taking part in a hazardous expedition."
September 5, 1947: "Jon has returned in excellent condition and is enthusiastic about the camp. He appears to have had a grand summer with you."
March 23, 1949: "Thank you very much for your March eighteenth letter enclosing Jon's report for 1948. Naturally we are very pleased. Jon's looking forward to the 1949 season and to being a Junior Leader in your Camp. In regard to letters home, I think it is best to leave this to his own initiative and responsibility. My telegram last year related to information about the proposed after-season river trip rather than to infrequency of correspondence. There was some confusion in regard to delivery of telegrams but nothing important or more than is to be expected in connection with the trips away from camp. I fully agree with you in regard to publicity. Our policy has been to request our children to be treated as the others in their group in this respect. We are particularly anxious to avoid individual publicity for them."
June 2, 1950: "I must leave for a trip abroad within the next few days and write this letter to cover details connected with Land's camp this summer…All of our five children diverge from each other greatly in characteristics. You will find this to be true of Land and Jon. Land's relationships and methods of approach are considerably different from those of his brother. Like Jon, Land is capable, dependable, and completely honest. I always have difficulty, however, in realizing that there is an age difference of five years between the two and tend, therefore, to expect of Land much more than I expected of Jon at the same age."
May 24, 1951: "Jon seems to be doing quite well at Stanford, and keeps us informed about his activities in general. Details, such as you write of, we get only in a roundabout way. Land has been packing his foot-locker the last day or two, and is very happy about his plans for the summer with you. He gained greatly from his experiences at the Explorers Camp last year. I believe he will have an even better time in this, his second, summer. We were a little concerned about his loss in weight when he returned last fall, but he soon gained it back along with toughening of muscle. The boys accounts of their river trips often make me envious. The balance you achieve, in your camp, between organization and freedom, develops initiative and independence in an important and extraordinary way."
July 24, 1952: "Please do not worry about the publicity concerning Land. As a matter of fact, we did not know about it until your letter arrived. We feel it advisable to avoid personal publicity so far as is practicable, but that has been well in hand in recent years and some is bound to get out now and then newspapers being as they are. the We feel that the Explorers Camp has handled the situation very well. We wish to continue to avoid publicity that singles our children out from others in their group simply because of the fact that they carry a well known name. We believe that interest in them should be based primarily on their own capabilities and accomplishments. My wife and I have no objection whatever to your using our names in your camp literature as you use the names of other parents. The camp has done both Jon and Land a great deal of good, and we are glad to recommend it when the opportunity arises."
In overall fine condition.
The Collection of Dr. Joseph Matheu.
