Extracts from a handwritten letter from Desmond FitzGerald to Mabel FitzGerald (Dublin)

My dear M[abel]

I have just received your letter of Wed, but that is not the only one I owe an answer to - so sorry Dear - and this can only be a long note. I am just off to dinner with Boncour.¹ Never a minute to myself.

[matter omitted]

One unceasing rush for me. Perhaps more time next week. Anyway it should be less worrying. I have sometimes been nearly fainting from nervous exhaustion. My worst day was Wed. Went bed after 2 o'clock Monday. Confab with others before Assembly. Due there 10 o'clock. Wrote speech there. Made speech. Off to lunch - Assembly everyone coming up to me. We were the big event. After Assembly three hours with Chamberlain and Dominions. MacNeill with me. Spoke highly of the way I conducted the diplomatic business - though I suffered badly. Forgot to say that before the afternoon Assembly meeting of Bureau - all in French. Briand made proposal about method of election - all agreed. I had to demur - no one impressed. Demurred again - same effect. Apologised that I was always in minority of one - but again demurred this time carefully explained in French the effect of the two systems - the importance of Briand's - convinced them all. Briand said that far from being minority of one I had convinced all of them. It was a big coup but you can imagine me after it.

Very satisfied with all we have done. If you read my speech (it will not be fully reported) you will see that we did not go up representing Dominions but the Assembly. Did very well with 10 votes. In spite of opposition of big ones - Britain etc. Sorry this is so rushed - but if I wait for time I shall be home before I write.

[matter omitted]

Love - shall certainly write properly when I get time.