For almost a week President Nixon and Watergate Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox had been at loggerheads. The issue was a 12 October 1973 federal court directive demanding that the president turn over the Watergate tapes for inspection by federal judge John J. Sirica and Special Prosecutor Cox. Nixon refused to comply with the order, citing executive privilege and insisting the tapes were his personal property — a position the federal court had invalidated. Nixon offered to turn over transcripts of the tapes, with their authenticity certified by Mississippi senator John Stennis. Attorney General Elliot Richardson suggested a panel of political leaders verify the transcripts in sworn affidavits. Nixon dismissed the proposal and on 18 October, added that once he had delivered the transcripts of the tapes, he would refuse any further requests for Watergate materials. It was all too much for Cox. In...