Schlesinger Library

[written in blue]stud e file I sent card and said - free 11/5/55[written in blue]

Dec 6, 1954

Dear Dr. Van Waters

Well here I am again your old "Sunflower" Wanting you to find out if I am going to be free in June of this year my parole lady said for me to write to the Authorities and I see so you are the one I chose to write too as I have always been close to you and I knwo that you will help me find out what I want to know.

Well it is Christmas time again and it always reminds me of the one I spent there and your wonderful spirits and what a very nice time you tryed to show us it will stay with me always.

I just had a letter

at the time the men were coming in for the Cardinal's visit and a very dangerous situation was averted only because the men didn't care that much for Richard. His behaviour was most suspicious and the authorities are just not going to "buy" his story of being frightened.

Neither you nor I ever want to give up hope about a human being - but we are not playing games, either, and I feel that we have a right to expect co operation and effort and sincerity from those we try to assist.

I sort of feel that Richard is putting on this "aggrieved act" to cover up for his inadequacy, weakness and apprehension -

I, for one am not going to baby him. You might answer the letter he last wrote, express surprise and regret at his attitude and on the basis of any further correspondence from him, be in a better position to decide whether to write or not - I feel that you have been took kind to him to be "written off" as casually as he apparently has tried to do.