he will step out and get the file.
The Chairman. You would like to wait for that?
Mr. McKenzie. If you don't mind.
The Chairman. I might add, while we are waiting for that to come back, that Mr. Albert Jenner, one of the associate counsel for the Commission, will conduct the examination this morning.
Mr. McKenzie. Yes, sir.
I would like to state for the record that I have furnished to Mr. Jenner and Mr. Liebeler this morning a letter dated February 17, 1964, dictated by myself, but signed by Robert L. Oswald and witnessed by Pete White, Joan Connelly, and Henry Baer, which I would like for the Commission to have a copy of, and which I furnished to the Commission.
And, further, that I have furnished to Mr. Jenner and Mr. Liebeler, counsel for the Commission, a letter dated February 18, 1964, signed by Mrs. Marina N. Oswald and witnessed by Declan P. Ford, Katherine N. Ford, and Joan Connelly.
The reason that I furnish these letters to the Commission I think will be obvious from a reading of the letters, and, secondly, will likewise explain my position to some extent.
And, further, I have furnished to Mr. Jenner and Mr. Liebeler letters dated February 18, 1964, addressed to Mr. James H. Martin, 11611 Farrar, Dallas, Tex., signed by myself, and likewise signed by Marina N. Oswald, and witnessed by Katherine Ford, a copy of which I furnished to Mr. Lee Rankin, counsel for the Commission; and a letter of like date, February 18, 1964, addressed to Mr. John M. Thorne, Thorne and Leach, Attorneys and Counselors-at-Law, of Grand Prairie, Tex., signed by Mrs. Marina N. Oswald, and witnessed by Mrs. Katherine Ford.
I furnish these to the Commission for the Commission's information.
The Chairman. Thank you. Thank you very much, Mr. McKenzie.
Is there anything, Mr. McKenzie, you would like to know about our procedure that you are not acquainted with? It is very informal.
Mr. McKenzie. Mr. Chief Justice, I will say this. This is the first time I have had the privilege of appearing before such a distinguished group of citizens of this country, headed by yourself, and that we are ready to proceed.
The Chairman. Mr. Jenner?
Mr. Jenner. Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice.
May I suggest the wisdom of identifying each of these series of four letters with an exhibit number, and may the reporter supply me with the next number.
The first letter mentioned by Mr. McKenzie is the letter dated February 17, 1964, addressed to Mr. McKenzie, and signed by Mr. Robert L. Oswald, witnessed by Mr. Henry Baer, Joan Connelly, and Peter White. That will be marked Commission Exhibit No. 272.
(The document referred to was marked Commission Exhibit No. 272, for identification.)
Mr. Jenner. The second letter mentioned by Mr. McKenzie is dated February 18, 1964, also addressed to Mr. McKenzie, signed by Mrs. Marina N. Oswald, and witnessed by Declan P. Ford, Katherine N. Ford, and Joan Connelly. That will be marked Commission Exhibit 273.
(The document referred to was marked Commission Exhibit No. 273, for identification.)
Mr. Jenner. The next letter is dated February 18, 1964, and addressed to Mr. James H. Martin, identified by Mr. McKenzie, and signed by Mrs. Marina N. Oswald, witnessed by Mrs. Katherine Ford. Two pages.
(The document referred to was marked Commission Exhibit No. 274 for identification.)
Mr. Jenner. The next and last of the series is a letter of the same date, February 18, 1964, addressed to Mr. Thorne, John M. Thorne, signed by Mrs. Marina N. Oswald, and witnessed by Mrs. Katherine Ford, two pages.
(The document referred to was marked Commission Exhibit No. 275 for identification.)
Mr. McKenzie. Mr. Jenner, if I may at this time, I would like to make one other statement to the Commission.
The Chairman. Before you do that, may I ask if you want those introduced into evidence?
Mr. Jenner. Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice.
I offer in evidence as Commission Exhibits 272 through 275, inclusive, the documents that have been so identified and marked.
The Chairman. They may be admitted.
(The documents heretofore marked Commission Exhibits Nos. 272 through 275, inclusive, for identification, were received in evidence.)
The Chairman. Now, Mr. McKenzie?
Mr. McKenzie. Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice.
We have brought with us the original copies of various letters received from—dating from 1959 through 1962, from Lee Harvey Oswald to Robert L. Oswald, together with some copies of a contract between Mr. Oswald—Robert Oswald, Marina Oswald, John Thorne, and James Martin. We bring those voluntarily and gladly. I would like to give them to the Commission with the understanding and stipulation that they will not be released to the press or to any news media, with the exception and understanding of your final report.
The Chairman. That is the only purpose we would have in having them, and we will not release them to the press or to any other person.
Mr. McKenzie. I understand that, sir. And the only reason I make that stipulation is for the record.
The Chairman. Yes. With the understanding that the Commission will use it for any purpose that is within the scope of the Executive order.
Mr. McKenzie. Absolutely.
The Chairman. And for no other purpose.
Mr. McKenzie. Absolutely.
The Chairman. Do you want to keep the originals and have copies made for us, or do you want to leave the originals with us?
Mr. McKenzie. Well, sir, we have already started making the copies this morning.
The Chairman. That is all right. Either way you want to do it.
Mr. McKenzie. Whichever way the Commission would prefer.
But we have started making copies this morning.
The Chairman. That is all right, then. You may do it that way.
Mr. Jenner, I guess you may proceed.
Mr. Jenner. Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice.
We have made copies of a number of the originals, additional ones of which are also being made. And as I identify the documents, I will be asking leave to introduce photostatic or xerox copies of the originals, and I will so indicate at the appropriate moment.
The Chairman. Very well.
Mr. Jenner. Mr. Chief Justice, Mr. Dulles—we have had a very short session with Mr. McKenzie and Mr. Oswald, which has been pleasant and of the character indicated here, with full cooperation by both gentlemen. And we have explained to Mr. Oswald that this particular phase of the matter covers Lee Harvey Oswald's entire life, and I added it also covered Mr. Oswald's life.
At times the particular thrust of the
