to the Archivist, the Executors were discharged from any further responsibility with respect to them. The Executors, therefore, are protected by the Court Decree if they adopt the hands off policy indicated by (a) above. If, however, they adopt the alternative position, (b) above, and assume the right to control the publication of any letters of which copies are in the files now in the possession of the Library, they assume corresponding responsibilities and liabilities. It is axiomatic that every right carries with it corresponding obligations. However, aside from all other considerations, it is necessary to examine the legal arguments in support of each position. (a) When F.D.R. Gave His Papers and Title Passed to the Government. All Rights Which He Had, Including the Common Law Exclusive Publication Rights in his Letters, Passed to the Government--In Other Words, There Was a Complete Dedication to the Public for all Purposes. There are no cases or precedents directly in point on the question. The principles and conclusions set forth in my memorandum to the Trustee dated January 15, 1948 logically apply to the letters under discussion. It can be fairly assumed that by delivering copies of the original letters to the Library, F.D.R. intended that they be made available to the general public for all purposes and that his action was in effect a publication of the contents of the letters and a complete dedication to the public. Under the theory of cases such as Pushman v. New York Graphic Society, Inc., 287 N.Y., 302, and Chamberlain v. Feldman, N.Y.L.J., January 15, 1948, if F.D.R. had intended to reserve any rights in the letters including publication -13- |