-To Michael Corcoran from J. Kelly (Stephens)- October 4, 1863

4 Oct. 1863, Callan, Co. Kilkenny. 'My dear General, I have to thank you for the photograph you were so kind as to send me by O'Donovan (Rossa). Writing as I do in the midst of friends and business I cannot say more than a few words; and in truth but for the immediate occasion of this letter you might not have heard from me for sometime to come—possibly even not directly till I had the pleasure of taking your hand in mine. Plow 1 long for that day! But on this as every other subject I must for the present be mute. Look on my silence with a friendly eye, believing always in the faith and brotherhood with which I have never ceased to turn to you.

My special object in writing to you at present is to know if anything can be done for a friend of ours who, owing to his southern proclivities, has got himself into trouble with your government. The name of this friend is Philip Coyne [See (iv)]. He resided for fifteen years in St Louis. He became connected with us and used to correspond with our friend John [John O'Mahony]. Mr Coyne is now supposed to be in Mobile or some part of the south. This is a great loss to him, his business requiring his presence in St Louis, where however the Federal authorities will not allow him to return. What can be done in the case? Mr Coyne himself is not personally known to me but is highly spoken of by those who know him. On his own account it might be a duty to help him as best we could. I confess however that it is not for his sake I now write. He has a brother [Edward] here, one of the very best men I have ever met—one of those who ranks highest in my mind and in my heart, and for whom I would do anything in my power. This friend is now by my side and it is at his request I write. My dear General, as this is the first favor of the kind I have asked from you, and that it is pretty sure to be the last, I rely on your doing everything in your power to help Mr Coyne through his difficulties.

'With best wishes, [etc.] yours ever faithfully and fraternally.

'[P.S.]. A line at your convenience addressed to Mr Edward Coyne, Callan, Co. Kilkenny, would be taken "as an honor and a favor" and would effect good.'