Michael Davitt to Reverend James Owen Hannay [George A. Birmingham], 9th February 1906. IE TCD MS 9376/1045

IE TCD MS 9376/1045: Typescript letter from Michael Davitt, St. Justin's, Dalkey, Co. Dublin, Ireland to Reverend James Owen Hannay [=George A. Birmingham], Westport, Co. Mayo dated 9th February 1906 referencing Hannay's latest story: "I am most thankful for your kindness in sending me a copy of your new story and for what you have written on the fly-leaf. I have read it right through and it has delighted me with its sketches of character and its descriptions - all true to life. You are not a jot to severe upon us Nationalists and Catholics for our faults and failings, though my wife thinks (she is just finishing it) you do not make a just allowance for all we had to endure while your side were in power, and controlled and owned almost everything in Ireland. Of course 'Hyacinth' is now living at Carrowkeel and is possibly discussing the schools question with Father Moran. I expect great things from your hero in the next story, and hope to see him as a Constitutional Wolf Tone, leading the Protestant Nationalists and independent Nationalist Catholics against the coming English garrison - the Roman Catholic Hierarchy, Orangemen, and pro-English loyalists. By the way 'Finola's' contingent for the Boers numbered only five, not ten. I chanced to travel with them from Marseilles to Lorenzo Marques, and had to give them a lift from this last place to Pretoria, as they had run short in cash. They were very decent young fellows in every respect..." Recovered by Mrs. Mary Davitt.