Harry Truman to Eleanor Roosevelt, December 21, 1945

My dear Mrs. Roosevelt:

​     I am pleased to inform you that I have appointed you one of the representatives of the United States to the first part of the first session of the General Assembly of the United Nations to be held in London early in January 1946.  A complete list of this Government's Delegation is enclosed herewith.

​     The United States representation at the first meeting of the General Assembly will be headed by the Secretary of State as Senior Representative or in his absence by The Honorable Edward R. Stettinius, Jr.

​     In so far as the General Assembly will deal with matters covered by the report of the Preparatory Commission, the representatives of the United States will be expected to support the recommendations made therein unless the position of the United States on a particular recommendation is reserved, in which case the representatives will be guided by my special instructions.  I am, however, authorizing the Senior Representative, after consultation with the other representatives, to agree to modifications of the Preparatory Commission's recommendations which in his opinion may be wise and necessary.

​     In so far as matters may arise which are not covered by the report of the Preparatory Commission, I shall transmit through the Senior Representative any further instructions as to the position which should be taken by the representatives of the United States.

​     I have instructed the Senior Representative to act as the principal spokesman for the United States in the General Assembly.

​     You, as a representative of the United States, will bear the grave responsibility of demonstrating the wholehearted support which this Government is pledged to give to the United Nations organization, to the end that the organization can become the means of preserving the international peace and of creating conditions of mutual trust and economic and social well-being among all peoples of the world.  I am confident that you will do your best to assist the United States to accomplish these purposes in the first meeting of the General Assembly.