Mr. Alfred Simmons, Secretary of the National Association for Promoting State-Directed Emigration and Colonization.

"Thanks for your note and card of invitation to Conference. Having two engagements in town on Tuesday, I am not sure if I will be able to attend; but if I find it possible, will certainly do so. I have no doubt at all that I should find myself in full sympathy with you on the principle involved in the expression on the card, for I have long felt it to be a tremendous blunder that the Government of the mother-country should take such small pains to more securely attach to herself the various Colonies. The time will come when it will be difficult, if not impossible, to secure Imperial Federation, and this is essentially one of those cases in which delay is dangerous."