2110-4-4-1

[Lady Mary Minto]

Friday Jan 11/24

48, Chelsea Park Gardens S. W. 3.

Ken: 5501

My dear Mr. Buchan

Owing to a stupid mistake I have only this moment received your letter of the 9th; it was put amongst a pile of bills wh. I have only opened now. I can't tell you how deeply touched I am by what you say, no one in this world has ever been so generously treated, & no author that I have ever heard of has been ready to accept suggestions, so I realize to the full the concessions you are making, &

my heart is full of gratitude. Of course I am only too proud & pleased to be guided by your advice as to what is best for the biography which is to portray Minto's character. I think you have been perfectly splendid in consulting my views & accepting my additions, & all I can say is that I owe you a debt of gratitude I can never repay, but I hope your reward will come when the public show their appreciation of the life, which will he widely read in Canada & India as well as at home.

2.

Ken: 5501. 48, Chelsea Park Gardens S. W. 3.

I know you realize what my devotion was for Minto - how we shared every thing together, & it is because I know his innermost thoughts that I am so anxious to put his point of view clearly. His modesty & self effacement he carried almost to a fault. Your letter has made me so happy I will tell you exactly what is in my mind - & to show you that I am carrying this out to the letter, I enclose Francis Scott's

private letter to me - He is right in much tht he says. I think Mackenzie King probably genuinely thinks of Laurier as a great Imperialist - he became one, but was far from that when we started our official life in 1898. I am off to Hydon. I have the papers answering your questions at C. H. T. but am returning to London next week, & will send them to you on Tuesday to Oxford. We were not appointed to India till Aug 12 1905. St John sent down a messenger to Minto. Arthur Balfour the P.M never made the appointment at all!!

Ken: 5501 48, Chelsea Park Gardens S. W. 3.

I will also give you the extract from Revett Carnacs book. Again let me thank with all my heart for your wonderful patience & consideration - I shall always treasure your letter & put it amongst my precious possessions. The biography has absorbed my thoughts for so long that I fear I have become a trial to you & to my own immediate circle.

With my deepest gratitude

I am yours very sincerely

Mary Minto