No. 136 Reprinted from Official correspondence relating to the peace negotiations June-September 1921 (Dublin, 1921)
Eamon de Valera to David Lloyd George (London)
Mansion House, Dublin, 28 June 1921
Sir
I have received your letter.1 I am in consultation with such of the
principal representatives of our nation as are available. We most earnestly desire to
help in bringing about a lasting peace between the peoples of these two islands,
but see no avenue by which it can be reached if you deny Ireland's essential
unity and set aside the principle of national self-determination.
Before replying more fully to your letter, I am seeking a conference with certain representatives of the political minority in this country.
Eamon de Valera.