“We understood that you were coming over here entirely in the interests of the great cause of labour, of which we, the undersigned, are the accredited representatives in this country.  Since your arrival, however, you have preserved an independent attitude which has given cause to much anxiety on our part.  After declining to attend a meeting at the Clarion Hall, we find you there amongst the audience, and you address them in direct opposition to the advice which we were giving them authoritatively.  We specially invited you to be present at a meeting of this committee to-day, in order that a definite plan of campaign might be formulated before your visit to Manchester.  You have not accepted our invitation, and we understand that you are now staying at the private house of the Prime Minister, notwithstanding our request that you should not interview, or be interviewed by any representative of the Government without one of our committee being present.

“We wish to express our dissatisfaction with the state of affairs, and to say that should you be still intending to address the meeting at Manchester on Monday night, we demand an explanation with you before you go on to the platform.  We understand that the residence of Mr. Foley is only sixty miles from London.  If you are still desirous of acting with us, we beg you, upon receipt of this letter, to ask for a motor car and to return here to London.  We shall all be at number 17, Notting Hill, until midnight or later, telephone number 178, so that you can telephone that you are on the way.  Failing your coming, some of us will be at the Midland Hotel, Manchester, from mid-day on Monday.

“I am,

“Faithfully yours,

“Richard graveling,

“Secretary.

“For

Peter Dale, Chairman,

Abraham Weavel,

Samuel Borden,

Henry Culvain.

The second one was from Manchester: 

“Dear Sir: 

“We understand that you will be arriving in Manchester about mid-day on Monday.  We think it would be best if you were to descend from the train either at Derby or any adjacent station, as no police force which could possibly be raised in the county, will be sufficient to control the crowds of people who will gather in the streets to welcome you.

“We beg that you will send us a telegram, informing us by what, train you are travelling, and we will send a messenger to Derby, who will confer with you as to the best means of reaching the rooms which we are providing for you.

“Anticipating your visit,

“I am,

“Faithfully yours,

“William Preston,

“Secretary Manchester Labour Party.”