- To O’Mahony? from W.M. O’Carroll August 14, 1861

14 August 1861. 'My dear friend, in fulfilment of my promise I today begin my notes for this week (non-official, of course).' Has scarcely anything fresh to tell. Has neither seen nor heard from Mr K. [James Stephens] since previous letter, and 'cant say as to the result of his meeting with John D. and friend.'

25 August 1861. Thought it absurd to be trying to 'manufacture news'; decided not to write 'till this post.' Persons alluded to above have met; 'the result is actually all that you could wish—the violent "Young" Man especially has become very tractable and employment has been found for him in the neighbourhood of your cousin [? James Stephens], that is, if the latter can be said to have one. His position at present is one of the saddest that can be described. If any disposable funds are at hand I implore of you to lose not an hour in sending them on to him. His health is still very bad, anxiety and indigence must have the victory if it be not in your power to come to the rescue, and that speedily. Think of all that depends thereon and spare not any exertion in this regard.'

The MacManus committee envoy should come to Ireland at once in order that the funeral arrangements will be made in time, 'if a funeral there is to be at all, of which I begin to have doubts, seeing the seeming confusion that exists in New York about same.' Should it come, the people here will do their duty. Will not regret its not coming, 'as I think it within the range of possibility that much evil might come out of it.'

Newspapers teem with accounts of the 'ardent loyalty exhibited to the various specimens of the Guelph with which the country is just now overrun. Well, we can smile at all this, for we feel that were it advisable, which it certainly is not, "Her Most Gracious" would receive such enlightenment in² old Dunleary even as would suggest to her the propriety of becoming seriously indisposed and cutting short her tour of pleasure, but as a friend of mine would say, cui bono'; it might enrage the London Times, furnish matter for grave reflection to the Paris Patrie, and make a grand sensation paragraph for Gordon Bennett—but what then ? Does not matter much now what the world thinks ; by and by, when certain convincing arguments are used, it will think rightly.

Hears that Mitchel intends publishing 'some cheap weekly sheet on his own account.' Asks to be sent an old newspaper in acknowledgement of the safe arrival of 'my notes.' 'I have never known Work to be going on more favourably, yet strange to say the farmers' prospects are worse than for 10 years past and trade in the towns is in a ruinous state absolutely.'

* Followed by Kings crossed out.