Volume 5 1936~1939


Doc No.
Date
Subject

No. 189 UCDA P150/2517

Letter from Eamon de Valera to Malcolm MacDonald (London)
(Personal) (Copy)

Dublin, 30 May 1938

Dear Mr. MacDonald,
I am very glad to have your letter expressing your pleasure at the outcome of the negotiations1. I feel that were it not for the happy combination on your side, of yourself and the Prime Minister, the negotiations could not have been successful, or begun.

I have no doubt the happy ending of the disputes in question has begotten a new attitude of mind on the part of our people, and if we could only now succeed in solving the problem created by partition, a happy future of mutual understanding and fruitful co-operation in matters of common concern lies ahead before our two peoples.

It has been such a pleasure to have one so understanding as you to deal with in the difficult matters of the relations between the two countries, that I regret your departure from the Dominions* Office2. I hope most sincerely that in the equally difficult task you have undertaken, your knowledge and zeal will serve you equally well.

Sincerely yours,
[copy letter unsigned]

*By the way, this inappropriate title should now be changed

E. de V.

1 See document No. 183.

2 MacDonald had returned to the Colonial Office and was succeeded at the Dominions Office by Lord Stanley on 16 May 1938.