January 1859, Toledo. Could not write sooner, 'hard at work from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same.' Missed Pittsburg connexion, reached Sunday meeting in Chicago in time ; met there 'some of the finest fellows I have seen in America' : Sherlock, a capital worker ; Quirk, ardent and devoted ; MacDermott, true and honest; Burke, zealous and brave ; Sheridan, 'resided in Paris some years working at his business and there made the acquaintance of certain opinions abhorred by the priesthood; decidedly the man with the largest share of intellect among the workers I have met with in America ; born in London, he knows how the current sets there; embroiled with the Chartist movement. . . acquainted with most of the men of that time who took a prominent place at the people's side.'

Has been in Milwaukee, where he organized a 'club of 10 to commence with';

O'Mahony, 'brother to a dear friend of mine, O'Mahony of Bandon,' will be a most valuable acquisition ; complete confidence may be placed in him ; elected president, 'and took the pledge immediately afterwards.' Can now count on the whole state of Wisconsin. Halpin and Alex Lumsden are held in the highest respect by 'all the Irishmen in their respective towns.'

Went to Cleveland from Chicago. 'This route I have taken will be rather expensive if I am obliged to return to St Louis unless you have marked out a southern course for me.' Broke his journey to Cleveland at Toledo 'to canonise a certain Denis Coghlan,' but he had left town. 'Off towards the rising sun at 4^ tomorrow morning.' All this very expensive and 'a heavy drain on the Fenians.' Suggests notes of introduction 'so that in every town of note some seed should be scattered.' Inquires as to the progress of the 'many clubs we established in New Hampshire and Mass.'

'Nothing new since, I dare say, from Europe. God, this is terrible. The crash to be expected on the continent. Lord knows how soon, and nothing to tell that Ireland still holds her ground. May all the devils in hell burn [?] both [?] of those who kept these . . .¹ dollars from us. Have you had no envoy since ?—though why should I ask the question ? Can you not at once manage to send some one off to—— ? Cantwell told me he was selling off his store—if he could find a purchaser—and could himself in that case undertake the mission.'

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