Abstract: Copies of despatches from General Maxwell to Lord French reporting on the current situation in and outside Dublin city, and the organisation of the process of surrender of rebels and recommending the internment of all rebels in England. In the first letter Maxwell informs French about the situation in Dublin 'The rebels … are tenaciously holding certain centres. … The Post Office was gutted and burnt out last night, presumably purposely. The progress of street fighting is necessarily slow, the troops through hard worked are behaving excellently.' Comments on the effect on communications following the destruction of the GPO. Comments on the fighting ability of the rebels. In the second letter Maxwell informs French that he received 'an intimation that the so called rebel Provisional government' requested on what terms they could surrender. They were informed that they must surrender unconditionally, lay down their arms and come out into the open. Pearse 'dressed in uniform unconditionally surrendered and was brought into my office'. He was told his followers would be 'treated under the Defence of the Realm Act and that they could only hope for the clemency of the British Government but that I could hold out no hope for the leaders...'. Maxwell describes the procedure for surrender and recommends internment in England and ends 'I hope the whole movement is dead.'

• De Valera, Éamon, 1882-1975 [Former owner]

• Maxwell, John Grenfell, Sir, 1859-1929 [Author]

• French, John Denton Pinkstone, Earl of Ypres, 1852-1925 [Addressee]

In collection  Éamon de Valera Papers : British documents relating to 1916