“The President’s crusade for the defense of freedom is carried on by all of us here with one heart and one mind.”

Mayling Soong Chiang, also known as Madame Chiang Kai-shek, 1898–2003.  First Lady of the Republic of China,  1943–1975.  Typed letter signed, Mayling Soong Chiang, one page, 8¼” x 10¾”, on black-bordered mourning stationery, Taipei, Taiwan, April 26, 1975.

Three weeks after the death of her husband, Chiang Kai-shek, who was President of the Republic of China for more than 25 years, Madame Chiang writes of continuing to wage his ongoing struggle for Chinese freedom against the Communist government of the People’s Republic of China.   Writing to Mr. and Mrs. Lin Arison, who were close to her, she says: “The President’s crusade for the defense of freedom is carried on by all of us here with one heart and one mind.  In this great task I know we will receive your moral support.”  She thanks the Arisons for their “kind expression of sympathy,” which “has meant much to me” since it came from “such good friends of our country and our cause.” 

Chiang (1887–1975) led the Republic of China on the mainland as the General of the National Revolutionary Army and as Premier of the Republic of China from 1928 until the Chinese Communist Party defeated him in the Chinese Civil War in 1949.  Chiang withdrew to Taiwan, to which he moved the free government and commenced his duties as President of the Republic of China in 1950.  The National Assembly reelected him as President in 1954, 1960, 1966, and 1972.  He never stopped intending, and planning, to retake the mainland and continually sought the support of the United States.

Chiang died on April 5, 1975, in Taipei.  Following a heart attack and then a bout of pneumonia, he died from kidney failure aggravated by advanced heart failure.  He was 87 years old.  

This letter contains outstanding commentary on Chiang’s and Madame Chiang’s world view.  It would be in extra fine condition were it not for two normal mailing folds, which render it very fine under the strict grading standards of The Manuscript Society.  The letter is clean and bright.  Consistently with the black-bordered stationery, Madame Chiang has written the salutation and closing and signed in black felt-tip pen.  She has closed the letter “Yours cordially.”   

Unframed.