COPY of Letter (handwritten) to Anthony Eden)
Dear Anthony.
I have just seen in the latest edition of Newsweek a most mischievous and false account of an alleged "clash of personalities" between you and me. I have been subjected to so much of this press sniping that I would pass it by with indifference and contempt were it not for the thought that, in your generous way, you might be concerned because I might be concerned. For yourself you need not and would not give it a thought.
My own "personality" as my wife and daughters frequently point out, is a most defective one. But it would take a worse one than mine to clash with you from whom I have always received kindness and friendship. The opinion attributed to me, I do not hold; the facts stated are false; and the attempted psychoanalysis was done by a plumber.
What is really vicious about the article is its reference to your call on Mr. Hull. As I told you at the time, nothing pleased me more than that you could see him because of the pleasure that it would bring him. Nothing would hurt him more than the suggestion that I would feel otherwise. Well, I suppose this sort of thing is part of the lives we lead. Ishall not be sorry to be free of it after the first of the year. Among the few regrets that time will bring will be the end of the--to me--very happy comradeship we have had in some great constructive work together.
I am deeply sorry that our work together has subjected you to this sort of cheap gossip. The only outlet to my feelings is to send you once again my affectionate regards and gratitude for all your kindnesses.
As ever,
/s/ Dean
April 11, 1952