Calvin Coolidge writing his father: January 9, 1926.

Coolidge comments that he was very happy to receive a letter from his father. He had commented in an earlier letter, “I hope you can sit up long enough to write me just a few words with a pencil if not with a pen.”

Coolidge writes in this letter that he is “going on the boat… I feel it rests me.” He is referring to the presidential yacht USS Mayflower. The Mayflower had been at the service of the president since 1905, and Coolidge spent many weekends aboard the craft. In a 1923 press conference, Coolidge said, “Usually we go to Quantico where there is a very good opportunity to turn around, then run back up the river taking dinner on the boat, which is very pleasant, and have some of our friends along.” The Washington Post reported on January 10 that the Coolidges had a “weekend cruise down the Potomac” and were accompanied by their friends: the Mr. and Mrs. Stearns, former Governor and Mrs. Sproul of Pennsylvania, Senator and Mrs. Reed of Pennsylvania, and Representative and Mrs. Begg of Ohio.

Coolidge closes the letter by talking about the “little payment to the Ins. Co at Montpelier.” On January 18, Coolidge was issued a life insurance policy from the National Life Insurance Company in the amount of $1,000. The beneficiary was designated as Col. Coolidge, if living, and then to Coolidge’s estate.