Baron Van Dedem to Michael Davitt, 19th May 1900. IE TCD MS 9500/5274

IE TCD MS 9500/5274: Letter from Baron Van Dedem, Grand Hotel, Pretoria, South Africa to Michael Davitt dated 19th May 1900: "I have been able to cash a cheque here on my banker's so that it is all right and I will be able to pay the passage which you kindly secured for me. I have got the carabine and a picture for you from Gillingham, but have again to go to Weinthal's to get his pictures and I do not even think I will be able to start before to morrow morning. Yesterday afternoon the consuls were all called together at the Government house and it was told them that the positions of Johannesburg would be defended to the utmost, and to warn their different nationalities of this. Opinions are divided as to wether this means the blowing up of the mines. A proclamation has been issued authorizing the emission of notes with forced circulating by the National Bank of the South African Republic and as far as I know to an unlimited amount. This seems a dangerous game and ressembles much the financial operating during the French revolution the well known "assignats". I am longing to get home. Yesterday morning I got by the German mail amost distressed letter of my wife's. She had just read in the papers of the death of Colonel de Villebois, and was afraid I was with him. She tried to telegraph but not telegrams were taken for Pretoria. On the envelope was addressed "in case of absence to be returned". even the Gironde will be welcome. I am afraid I will not see you before Paris as, not knowing how to find lodgings at Lourenço, may stop at [?ternal] where I have an introduction for an engineer of the line who might give me a days [?]..."