Handwritten letter from James McNeill to Desmond FitzGerald (Dublin)

Dear D.[esmond] F.[itzGerald]

I had a talk to-day with Mr. Justice Cohalan. We talked rather generally, & he told me some facts connected with de V.[alera]'s visit to the States. I am sure that he will appreciate having monies¹ taken for him, & I felt that Tom² would not mind being troubled with an appeal for aid.

He seemed to be anxious to impress me with the need for understanding that our friends in America must be regarded primarily as American citizens though of Irish race or even of Irish birth, & that the Irish in America who remained 'the Irish in America' could effect nothing³ of value. He also stated that much financial aid would be forthcoming if our actions indicated that we were not tied up to England economically, that we would actively set about developing outside markets.

I told him of Sunday's political meeting & gathered that he would like much to see for himself the public attitude. I suggested nothing.⁴ You now know what he would like.