I am directed by the Minister for External Affairs to instruct you to purchase (through what seems to you to be the most appropriate channel) the Mace of the old Irish House of Commons, which is to be sold at Christie's on the 22nd June, for a sum not exceeding £3,000:0:0: inclusive of commission and other incidentals, if any.

Of course the Minister hopes very much that the Mace will not go to anything like this price and he wishes you to continue your good offices to keep the price as low as possible.

Mace bought for £3,000 by Bank of Ireland.¹