Letter from the combined Irish Delegation to Eamon de Valera (Dublin)

A. E.[amon] A Chara,
Your letters reached me this evening. It is impossible for me, with the engagements we have this evening and the time at my disposal to deal with all the matters.

I have got a meeting of the delegates and secretaries. The delegates regard the first paragraph of your letter No. 7 as tying their hands in discussion and as inconsistent with the powers given them on their appointment and Nos. 1 and 2 of 'Instructions to Plenipotentiaries from Cabinet' dated 7th October.¹

Obviously any form of association necessitates discussion of recognition in some form or other of the head of the association. Instruction 2 conferred this power of discussion but required before a decision was made reference to the members of the Cabinet in Dublin.

The powers were given by the Cabinet as a whole and can only be withdrawn or varied by the Cabinet as a whole. Having regard to the stage discussions have reached now, it is obvious that we could not continue any longer in the Conference and should return to Dublin immediately if the powers were withdrawn.²

We strongly resent, in the position in which we are placed, the interference with our powers. The responsibility, if this interference breaks the very slight possibility there is of settlement, will not and must not rest on the plenipotentiaries.

As to your coming to London, we think, if you can come without being known, it is most important you should do so immediately. But if you cannot come privately do not come publicly unless we send you a message that in our opinion it is essential.³