Well! By the most extraordinary coincidence, while researching the great paperclip shortage of 1974 (truly), I have just come across the following front page headline in the Bridgeport Post of 8 August 1974:
NIXON ORDERS RESIGNATION SPEECH
'HE'S GOING,' AIDE SAYS; DON'T KNOW JUST WHEN
WASHINGTON — President Nixon has ordered his speech writers to prepare a resignation address for use as early as Friday if he finally decides to step down.
"He's going, but we don't know exactly when," said one aide.
Nixon's chief speech writer, Ray Price, was reposted by a reliable source to be drafting the resignation speech.
There was still no definite word Nixon would step down, but many signs pointed in that direction.
The President, crushed by the the Watergate scandal that all but demolished his administration, was told by Republican leaders Wednesday that he faces almost certain removal from office in an impeachment trial.