Letter from Hugh de Fellenberg Montgomery to William Hovenden Ffolliott, 2 August 1916 Letters 1916-1923 Hugh de Fellenberg Montgomery

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 Austrian Centre for Digital Humanities Vienna, AT 2026

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This is a letter from Hugh de Fellenberg Montgomery (1844-1924) to William Hovenden Ffolliott (b. 1873). Originally a Liberal and a strong supporter of Gladstone, Montgomery was also a firm Unionist, but by 1916 he believed that Ulster Unionists had no choice but to accept Lloyd George's proposal for a six-county Northern Ireland. This letter discusses Ffolliott's anticipated trip to England, stating that he should avoid speaking about Irish politics due to the difficulty of knowing what to say due to the political situation. The letter goes on to discuss Home Rule and a chance that it will be repealed stating that the Unionists should be heard if that is the case. The letter also discusses the down sides of the 'H. Plunkett Scheme' (Horace Plunkett's aim of negotiating a settlement). Montgomery states that a council with a chief secretary would not work as there is a possibility the position may not be filled following the resignation of Augustine Birrell (1850-1933) while John Redmond (1856-1918), Irish Parliamentary Party leader, and Edward Carson (1854-1935), Unionist leader, cannot agree.

 Public Record Office of Northern Ireland Montgomery of Blessingborn Papers; D/627/429/51 https://letters1916.ie/item/2254 English Hugh de Fellenberg Montgomery 1916-08-02 William Hovenden Ffolliott Male 1924 Politics Politics

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 Copy 2nd August, 1916. Dear Miss ffolliott, Thanks very much, I should like to see the article about German sermons, and will send it on to Miss Strong promptly. I am sorry you did not get the little change of air and scene the trip to England would have given you; but in view of the fact that when you go there, you are expected to hold forth on Irish politics, and of the great difficulty of knowing what to say at the present moment, perhaps it is as well that you did not go. Does anybody know the true inwardness of the mind of the British Elector? If there is any possibility of the Home Rule Act being repealed, that is what we should go for as matters stand. If there is any such possibility then I suppose it is unwise to forfeit the chance of being heard with regard to the terms of an Amended Act by absolutely refusing to consider the matter. Sir H. Plunkett's scheme does not appear to me to have any points. If a man can be found to govern Ireland as Chief Secretary, he does not want a Council such as is suggested, and if a man cannot be found the Council would be no use as Carson and Redmond cannot possibly agree. By dint of making the most of all the meetings I have to attend on public business, I am promised rather more petrol than the rediculous allowance they are giving you, but what they are giving me is totally inadequate, and I am trying to get my case reconsidered. I do, not, however, expect that it will be. One would not mind going without petrol if one did not see other people who deserve less getting more. We still have good news for our five soldiers. Yours very truly, Hugh de Fellenberg Montgomery Letter from Hugh de Fellenberg Montgomery to William Coote, 25 March 1916Letter from Hugh de Fellenerg Montgomery to Edward Carson, 31 May 1916Letter from Hugh de Fellenberg Montgomery to Edward Carson, 9 June 1916Letter from Hugh de Fellenberg Montgomery to Willis, 10 June 1916Letter from Hugh de Fellenberg Montgomery to Edward Carson, 9 June 1916Letter from Hugh de Fellenberg Montgomery to 'Canon', 10 June 1916Letter from Hugh de Fellenberg Montgomery to W. G. Vance, 13 June 1916Letter from Hugh de Fellenberg Montgomery to Vernon, 15 June 1916Letter from Hugh de Fellenberg Montgomery to Willis, 15 June 1916Letter from Hugh de Fellenberg Montgomery to Hamilton, 10 June 1916Letter to Hugh de Fellenberg Montgomery from Walter Long, 2 June 1916Letter from Hugh de Fellenberg Montgomery to George Francis Stewart, 17 June 1916Letter from Hugh de Fellenberg Montgomery to James Stronge, 3 June 1916Letter from Hugh de Fellenberg Montgomery to John Edward Fowler Sclater, 3 June 1916Letter from Hugh de Fellenberg Montgomery to James Stronge, 9 June 1916.Letter from Hugh de Fellenberg Montgomery to Mr Glasgow, 18 June 1916Letter from Hugh de Fellenberg Montgomery to George Francis Stewart, 18 June 1916Letter from Hugh de Fellenberg Montgomery to Hugo, 27 June 1916Letter from Hugh de Fellenberg Montgomery to Maurice Headlam, 19 June 1916Letter from Hugh de Fellenberg Montgomery, 1916Letter from Hugh de Fellenberg Montgomery to Charles Hubert Montgomery, 30 June 1916Letter from Hugh de Fellenberg Montgomery to William Hovenden Ffolliott, 2 August 1916Letter from Charles Hubert Montgomery to Hugh de Fellenberg Montgomery, 29 May 1916Letter from Hugh de Fellenberg Montgomery to John Ross, 27 May 1916Letter from Hugh de Fellenberg Montgomery to William Coote, 27 May 1916Letter from Hugh de Fellenberg Montgomery to William Coote, 22 May 1916Letter from Hugh de Fellenberg Montgomery to Waldron, 26 June 1916Letter to Hugh de Fellenberg Montgomery from Sir John Ross, 2 June 1916.Letter from Hugh de Fellenberg Montgomery to Sir Richard Dawson Bates, 23 June 1916Letter from Hugh de Fellenberg Montgomery to William Coote, 9 Spetember 1916Letter from Hugh de Fellenberg Montgomery to Walter Long, 31 May 1916Letter from M. E. Sinclair to Hugh de Fellenberg Montgomery, 18 September 1916