The President - Harry S. Truman Library and Museum

Mr. Ross returned from Captiva at 6 p.m.
Admiral Dennison and Mr. Connelly dined out this evening.
After dinner the President moved to his desk in the living room where he worked on
official mail that arrived this afternoon. Mail signed at this time included Senate Bills
S170 and S673. He then moved to the south porch where he spent the remainder of the
evening, until 12:10 p.m., when he turned in.
Admiral Dennison attended the Press-Secret Service St. Patrick's Day party held at the
Echoasis Club on the Naval Station this evening. Henry Nicholson, with his Irish songs
and ditties, was the star of the floor show, emceed by Bob Nixon. The President did not
attend but he remarked the following morning that Nicholson's singing had kept him
awake until the party broke up. A further check revealed that there was little or no
sleeping throughout the Naval Station until Nicholson had signed off. All members of
the President's party were invited but, except for Admiral Dennison, they were unable,
because of previous plans, to attend.
Friday, 18 March
The President came downstairs at 7:15 a.m. At this time he was handed a revised draft of
Secretary Acheson's proposed speech on the Atlantic Pact, which had been received by
radio during the night. The President modified his usual routine and instead of going for
a. walk he remained at the house while he studied the draft of the proposed speech .
The President sat down to breakfast at 8 a.m. After breakfast he moved out to the south
porch where he conferred with Admiral Leahy, Mr. Steelman, Mr. Hassett and Mr. Ross.
Chief Ship's Clerk Prophet left the Little White House at 9:15 a.m. with two sacks of
White House mail. He was taken to Washington in the naval aircraft piloted by
Lieutenant Lurvey. Lieutenant Williams, Draftsman J. E. Norton, Chief Steward S.
Bergado and Steward's Mate C. Mojica, were passengers in this same plane.
The President held a press conference at 9:30 a.m. It was held outdoors, in the north
garden and was attended by Admiral Leahy and all members of the President's party.
Newsreel and still pictures were made during the course of the conference, which
terminated at 9:45 a.m.
The President, Mr. Woodward, General Graham. General Landry and Mr. Bray left the
Little White House at 9:50 a.m. and walked to the beach. Mr. Hassett, Mr. Ross, Mr.
Steelman and Mr. Ayers went down later. Admiral Leahy remained at the Little White
House while he studied the draft of the Atlantic Pact speech. He then motored to the
beach where he joined the President's party. All hands left the beach at noon.
There were no guests at lunch, which was served at 1:15 p.m.