Office of the Historian

30. Memorandum From Vice President Agnew to President Nixon1

Washington, December 16, 1969.
  • SUBJECT
    • Oil Import Quota Changes

While I am well aware that you are conversant with the strong opinions being voiced by so many of our supporters in oil producing states, the weight and the persistency of contacts require me to write this memorandum.

We are not just receiving the usual predictions of political retaliation, but flat statements that successful House and Senate campaigns [Page 76] will be impossible in major states should these changes receive even an implication of your favor.

My judgment is that deferral of the recommendations will not be sufficient to quiet the troops. Some reliable sign of your future course is imperative to allay the fearful speculation now rampant in Texas, Louisiana, Alaska, California and other such states.

  1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, White House Special Files, Staff Member and Office Files, Egil Krogh 1969–73, Box 71, Oil Import Policy, Depletion. Confidential; Eyes Only. Printed from an unsigned copy. A copy was sent to Ehrlichman and Haldeman.↩