-To O’Mahony from J. Power (Stephens)-October 27, 1863

27 Oct. 1863, City Mansion Hotel, 30 and 31, Lower Bridge street, Dublin. Brother, The bearer, Mr James Mountaine, is a friend. Though paying but a flying visit to America (he is going to see his son, a surgeon in New York, and will stay but six weeks or so in the States), it would grieve him to leave without taking your hand in his. When in yours you should grasp that hand firmly, for it is that of as brave and true an Irishman as you know. He is one of the few who with a good deal to lose, as the saying is, still clings to the cause as of old — nay, as years and prosperity increase, they but add to his zeal and devotion. He is one of the few, too, who are sure to rally round me in times of trial — whose friendship is shown at need in better coin than words. It is now some time since I asked you for a favor. In the present instance I do so, and request that you will show Mr Mountaine all the consideration in your power. All that he expects or would accept is that you should receive him as a brother and speak of him as a man who is at all times ready to fight or die for Ireland. For my part I would gladly go out of my way to meet and welcome and be a brother to such a man. Mr Mountaine would I am sure be delighted to see some of our military friends in their element and, should an opportunity offer, do enable him to avail of it. In a word, I bespeak for Mr Mountaine every attention you can pay him. Yours as ever fraternally'.

(ii), J. Daly [James Stephens] to [John O'Mahony]. 4pp.

Thursday, 28 April 1864, St Louis. 'Brother and. friend, Not till yesterday did I see long enough before me to be able to say with certainty when I should be in Indianapolis, and I could not well have written till today. Well, I shall be able to meet the Indiana Centres (at Indianapolis) on Tuesday, May 10. If possible, have the Convention on that day or at the latest on the i2th. Time flies fast and a great deal of ground has to be gone over. And I am more and more convinced that the more places I visit and the more men I meet the better for the cause. Rely on it, your power will be increased tenfold by my visit to America.

'When we parted in Chicago my health was bad, and for many days afterwards I was by no means certain that it was not going to break down utterly. The mind was in a sickly enough state, too. Naturally, I was not in very good cheer or working order. Properly speaking, too, I did not clearly see my way. As I went along however all this changed. I everywhere met considerable bodies of men, all or nearly all animated by a good spirit and willing to act generously and energetically. I began to have a clear perception of what could be done and my health improved rapidly, so much so that I am now fully equal to the work before me, and you may rely on its being done. By pressing hard and steadily on my footsteps, the work here will take immense proportions by the fall — just when the last great effort must perhaps be made. And made it must be, should that difficulty arise. Brother, you can have 100,000 men in our ranks by the time I say; and between this and then you can raise as much money as with the arms, etc., collected will make our success as certain as anything human can be before its accomplishment.

'Don't say any more that I exaggerate. I am convinced I do not and that I am in no way carried away by my zeal or enthusiasm. Trust me, I know men pretty well by this time and that I am not a bad hand at figures. It is made clear to me everywhere I go that masses of our race are now turning their hearts towards the old land — yearning after it with feelings unfelt by them before. Numbers of these men would cheerfully part with all they possess for the cause we have at heart, and all of them are willing to do something. The smallest subscription given by the very poorest I have met was five dollars. In the small town of Peoria 1,455 dollars were subscribed by some fifty or sixty men I met there at a single meeting ! It is true Mr Dunn opened the list with a subscription of 1,000 dollars. On my arrival here, too, I had a note from him with 100 "towards defraying travelling expenses". Quincy, where all are poor men, 505 dollars were subscribed in one evening. And so of other places. In this city the numbers are comparatively small at present. I am confident however that St Louis will speedily have a powerful organization. I am equally certain of getting a large sum of money from those who at present belong to us here. On the whole I have no doubt that the American branch will be very powerful by the fall, and that we can from it alone get almost all we now require in order to meet the enemy with a fair chance at least, not to say the certainty, of success. Be therefore of the very best cheer, and rest your faith in the People as on a rock.

T leave this tomorrow morning for Alton [?]. On Sunday I shall be in Springfield and the evening following back to Chicago. Thence I shall go as our friends deem best till the gth May, on which evening I shall be in Indianapolis. Yours faithfully and affectionately*.