Felon Office, Trinity Street. Sunday Evening.
Dear Richard,—I had your letter of Sunday last in due course with its enclosure. I hadn’t time to write one line until to-day. The beginning you made in Ballyroan is encouraging on many accounts. The paper you send is good—though I decidedly object to one or two sentences—and some such thing I consider absolutely requisite. But until we get a press of our own we couldn’t either print or get it printed. We can’t print within 10,000 of the number of copies we could sell. The only press in Dublin we can prevail upon to work for us is a poor little book-press, very different from a newspaper press, belonging to a man named Shaw. Until we can do our own work it need hardly be expected we could undertake any other; and those who will not print a newspaper for us would hardly print a placard either. Martin says we will have a press this week. God send. I shall try to have your paper printed as soon as at all possible.
Have you been able to engage a smith, and to set him to work? Tell me this. The pulse of Dublin goes according to the news of the country. Every club formed and every pike forged has its effect here.
I didn’t published the formation of Raheen or Ballyroan clubs as yet—because I wish to come out strong with a list of ten or twelve Queen’s County clubs at once. I hope you are forming one to-day in some other parish.
Could you arrange to have a parish-meeting got up by written placards, letters, messengers, etc., in some fine, good, stout parish on next Sunday—the adjoining parishes being invited to attend? Reilly, Brennan, and I would go down with a flash and dazzle of pikes of every model. If three or four, or five parishes could be got to attend even number of twenty of thirty from each—that number of clubs could be formed at once. Let me know by return post. We would require to know on Wednesday, if possible, to make our arrangements.
I sent you the last Felon on Saturday. Did any copy (besides yours) reach the Queen’s County? What is thought by others—and what do you think—of the paper, and specially of my share in it? Is there anything I ought to rectify?
Will you become a member of the proposed Felon Club?—and the others—such as Peter, young Conrahy, etc. No fee required, nor subscription. Will you write at once. I put these under cover to Father Dunne.
J. F. L.
Felon Office. Friday.
Dear Richard,—Reilly promised to procure me the instructions for the formation of Confederate Clubs this evening, in time for post. If he do, I shall send them under cover with this—but he is much hurried to-day.
You may club and subscribe for the express purpose of procuring pikes, provided you don’t avow any illegal purpose. The Nation was under some mistake. Such clubs abound here.
I saw Devin Reilly under great disadvantage in Maryborough. He is a very nice fellow in all respects.
Will you undertake to report progress in the formation of clubs—for publication, if you have no objection; but at any rate for our own private information.
(Later.)
I now send only the portion of the Instructions Reilly can lay hands on in time. It is but a small portion, but you must do with it till the Sunday after next.
Have you got a smith?
Address to me at the Felon Office, 12 Trinity Street.
10,000 copies above what can be supplied are ordered. None I fear can be sent to Abbeyleix, I will try to send you a copy.
J. F. L.
Felon Office. Sunday, July 9th.
Dear Richard,—I wrote to you on this day week pressing for an answer. Did you get my letter? I put it under cover to Father Dunne. Did you answer it? If you did not all I can say is this—I would be a great fool to write to you any more.
Martin is in Newgate. So is Duffy. So are Hogan, K. O’Doherty, and Williams (Shamrock) of the Tribune. Our Felon was seized—the entire impression, on yesterday morning. We printed a second edition and sold it off clandestinely. Gentlemen, and even ladies were collared, pinioned, and the Felon torn out of their hands and out of their pockets, by the police. The Nation was seized last night, and the Tribune. Our office and editor’s room were broken open on Friday. All manuscripts seized and carried off. Your letter and paper amongst them. I had brought them there to get the placard printed. I shall endeavour to send you four or five copies per coach, car, or train. They would be seized in the Post Office.
Could you come up here on Saturday? Things are coming to a close. I mean on Friday. I shall send you the paper per train, under cover to Dr. Fitzpatrick. Send for it.
If you got my letter of Sunday last and did not answer it, I give you up finally. Yours in haste.
J. F. L.
P.S.—Monday.—I have just heard that father is come to town. I am not sure whether I shall be able to send you the paper. Send to the Doctor’s for it in any case.
P.S. 2.—I have heard that all our papers posted on Saturday went safe. I therefore post the last number. I may possibly send a batch of the three numbers under cover to Doctor F.—in the course of the week.
Will you write at once?
Address James F. Lalor, 4 St. Andrew Street, Dublin.
4 St. Andrew Street, Dublin, Monday Evening, July 17th.
Dear Richard,—Will you start for Dublin immediately in receipt of this—I send you half-note for £1. Don’t be asking foolish questions about ‘what good you can do,’ etc. Am I to tell you through the Post Office? Dillon and Devin Reilly join me in requesting you to come up at once. You are wanted here—that is sufficient. Get change for the half-note. If you can bring Peter, do so. Not one word of this to anyone else. Recollect this—if you don’t come it is cowardice will prevent you. Bring your best dress. I won’t detain you more than one day, if you can’t conveniently stop longer. Come—even if father be dying.
Put your finger on your lips.
J. F. L.