Letter 1895 – Irish National Federation League

TO

MR. MICHAEL DAVITT, M.P.

Caed Mille Failthe.

DEAR SIR.

WE, the Members of the Hastings Branch of THE IRISH NATIONAL FEDERATION LEAGUE, desire to express our great pleasure in extending to you a sincere and hearty welcome to this Province. We also ask you to accept the good wishes of many of our country friends, who are unable to be present to hear you this evening. We have watched with deep interest the noble work done by you in the great cause of Home Rule for Ireland, and offer you our warmest thanks and sympathy for your unceasing labour. The sufferings undergone by you for your Beloved Erin have proved you to be a Prince among Patriots, and though revolting to our common nature, they have acted as burning gems to keep alive in our hearts the fire of love for home and the Freedom of Ireland. We cannot allow this opportunity to pass without offering our deepest sympathy for the loss of your beloved daughter, happening too, when you were so many thousands of miles from Home.

Recognising, as we do, the great personal sacrifices made by you in the past, and during your present tour through the Australasian Colonies, we beg your acceptance of the accompanying purse and contents as a free gift to yourself, and as a small token of our appreciation of your labours.

Trusting that your path in the future may be strewn with more roses and fewer thorns than in the past, and that you may long be spared to fight out the noble battle you have undertaken.

We have the honour to remain,

Yours respectfully,

CHAS. HUGHES, President.
PATK. McCARTHY, Vice-President.
PATK. McMAHON, Vice-President.
JNO. CULLEN, Treasurer.
S. G. POPPELWELL Secretary.

On behalf of the Members.

Hastings, Hawke’s Bay, N.Z.
25th November, 1895.

A. A. GEORGE,
Printer, Hastings.