I feel sure you are very disappointed at the way things have turned out. You will see from the report which I posted last night¹ that I did everything possible in the circumstances but I found myself up against a stone wall in the Cardinal's determination to send some one to see how the land lay before sending the final representative. He did not mind a bit how awkward his particular method of doing that might be for the Government. He would have pawned off on us a very curious mélange of legato a latere and 'diplomat' who would be such only to the extent of carrying a message to the Government or a message on the subsequent appointment to be made public by him. I would have gone very far to prevent such a complete want of respect for our Government, even if I had to adopt his own rudeness, but I was able to do it mainly through his subordinates.

Once he said at the last interview that he had informed the Bishops that he was sending a simple bearer of a letter to them on the occasion of the celebrations I had to be satisfied - especially when he added that the good man would have nothing to do with the Government or the State and that it was really not our business.

This time we must remember that the Cardinal himself has made the promise to send some one within a short time (September) who will not be a Chargé d'Affaires. I think he would find it exceedingly difficult to get out of it and in view of the original agreed note in the Osservatore we could go as far as threatening a withdrawal of Bewley if it came to a real crisis. A very mild threat would do. I do not for a moment believe it will be necessary.

I felt very much during the week the absolute need for the fullest information about the Bishops' attitude. It is a necessary background. All the religious Orders here know more than we do and the Vatican people have their lines of communication. The fullest information is a necessary background for all conversations with the Secretariat.

I hope Sterling's credential or a copy has been found. The Vatican have been asking the British what type of credential is used for a Dominion. We must not let the Foreign Office give them their exclusive line.