Arthur Griffith to Eamon de Valera (Dublin)

A E[amon], A Chara,
The enclosures will explain the position.¹ The Ulster question came up today. We could not defer it further as only it and the question of the Crown remain for the moment outstanding. Owing to my uncertainty as to how the Ulster clause stands, I prevented the discussion getting too concrete, although they were anxious for me to suggest something. They are, I think, willing to go any distance short of using force against Ulster. They want to save their face.

We start Ulster again on Monday, when I expect to be able to come to close quarters with them. They are remarkably ignorant of the facts - this is not play-acting, although they try that also. Their knowledge, geographically and statistically of the province is very poor.