This is a letter from Hugh de Fellenberg Montgomery (1844-1924) to Walter Long (1854-1924). Montgomery was a lawyer and politician. 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. Walter Long, 1st Viscount was born in Bath, Somerset, England on 13 July 1854. He was elected as a conservative MP in 1880 and held various positions within the government from the next 20+ years. In 1905 he was appointed as chief secretary of Ireland and in 1916 was president of the local government board. The letter refers to a piece written by Montgomery on the current political situation. It was been intended for the 'The Times' but Montgomery has decided just to send copies to prominent Unionists like Long instead.