My dear Taoiseach,

I am very grateful, indeed, for the very kind message which you sent me on your own and on your Colleagues behalf.¹

It is a very real consolation, and a great source of pleasure for me to know that, on leaving the service, I have the good will and the good wishes of yourself and of the whole Government.

Providence has been kinder to me than I have deserved, in allotting to me the very small part which I was privileged to play in these early years of the life of our State. I hope, please God, after some months of rest, when I have recovered my strength, to join, as a free lance, on the fringe of the battle, and to continue the promotion of the same ideals, which I have tried to uphold, with many ups and downs, during my years of service.

I beg to remain, my dear Taoiseach, with great respect and esteem, and with renewed thanks for your very kind letter,