letter
Bundle of correspondence mainly relating to a visit by a deputation from the Ulster Unionist Council to Sir Edward Carson in London on the 25 January to invite him to accept the Leadership of the Ulster Unionist Party in the new Northern Ireland Parliament and including a letter from Sir Richard Dawson Bates to Mr Reid, MP declaring -
'... The attitude of the speakers who took part at Friday's meeting of the Standing Committee when Sir Edward's informal decision was announced, all pointed to the disaster to Ulster if Sir Edward did not take the position. I must say, none of the speakers seemed to realise the sacrifices already made by Craig or what sacrifices would be entailed by his consenting to take the position.'
The memo containing a report of the deputation meeting with Sir Edward written by Sir Richard Dawson Bates records that -
'A deputation consisting of the Standing Committee of the Ulster Unionist Council and representatives of the Belfast Chamber of Commerce met at the Constitutional Club to confer with Sir Edward Carson as to the position in Ulster arising out of the passing of the Government of Ireland Act. The Marquess of Londonderry presided and numerous appeals were made to Sir Edward Carson to accept the Leadership of the Unionist Party in the new Ulster Parliament by members of the deputation representative of all sections of Ulster Unionist opinion including the Orange institutions and Ulster Unionist Labour Associations.
Sir Edward Carson in reply thanked the deputation for all their kind references to him and for the loyalty and assistance which the people of Ulster had at all times extended to him.
He stated however that with regard to the strain which he had endured in connection with the conduct of Ulster affairs since he became Leader and his work during the war he felt that he had insufficient reserves of strength at his age to undertake the work involved in the bringing into existence of a new parliament with its necessary departments.
Sir Edward Carson agreed however to retain the Chairmanship of the Ulster Unionist Party in the Imperial House of Commons.'
Owned by PRONI References D1327/18/36, D1327/18/36 & D1327/18/36 Images used with permission of ‘The Deputy Keeper of the Records, Public Record Office of Northern Ireland’ and ‘MAA Crawford’