a problem because of the many special circumstances
surrounding them. For the purpose of making an orderly
analysis of the problem and reaching a sound solution, we
are forced at the outset with the necessity of classifying
F.D.R.'s letters into the two broad categories of I. Public
Letters, and II. Private Letters.
 
       Into the category of Public Letters would fall all
those letters which clearly on their face appear to have been
written by F.D.R. as a public official on public matters in
the regular discharge of his official duties as Assistant
Secretary of Navy, as Governor of New York or as President
of the United States. It would also include those which
were written on public matters with the obvious intention
and expectation that they be published such as "open
letters" in connection with political campaigns. Private
Letters, on the other hand, include all those letters
written by him as a private individual on personal matters,
such as a letter to a member of his family on purely
domestic family affairs. Between these two extremes there
is a large body of correspondence which falls into a sort
of twilight zone where it might be fairly argued that a
given letter is either public or private depending on
context and surrounding circumstances. For purposes of this
discussion and the formulation of policy, all letters
falling into this class are treated as private letters. 
 
                                         -6-