Lewis Douglas Farewell Speech (1950)

14, Princess Gate, London. Mr Lewis Douglas American Ambassador seated in easy chair ’Let me say how grateful Mrs. Douglas, my daughter and I are for the courtesy and the kindness that has been so continually extended towards us. Mrs. Douglas and my daughter have been more effective representatives than have I. Their roots have penetrated deep into the life of the island and so have mine. We leave not because it is out choice because we must. You have asked me to comment on the changes in the economic status of Britain during my stay here. I landed towards the end of a very bitter winter that had almost paralysed the economic life of Britain. Since then substantial economic improvement has been made. A part of it has been due to the fortuitous concourse of events. There still remain some fundamental problems that must be resolved lest when the present boom slackens as some day it will, Britain face again renewed difficulties. MS. ’It has been my view for along time that the Atlantic community and Weste