From The Irishman, 4 January, 1879.
The name of O’Donovan Rossa having been drawn into this matter, we give insertion to the following correspondence, in which his view of the “New Departure” is very emphatically expressed: –
Executive Office, Fenian Brotherhood,
New York, Dec. 13, 1878.
ROSSA – Have you anything to do with this ‘New Departure’ business in connection with Ireland? We ask, in connection with the Fenian Brotherhood.
JOHN MURPHY,
JOHN BARRY,
MICHAEL D. ROHAN.
O’DONOVAN ROSSA’S REPLY.
FRIENDS – Why do you ask me such a question? I know nothing of ‘New Departures.’ I know myself, and I know that, since I came to that knowledge, I have tried to work for Irish liberty through fight – not through the English Parliament. And though I am not well able to fight now, I believe it is through fight alone we can get independence for Ireland.
I wish my friends would believe nothing of me, or what is represented as coming from me, unless over my handwriting. I should not be held accountable for what others say, or think, for me.
Yours respectfully,
O’DONOVAN ROSSA.
76 Perry-st., N.Y., Dec. 14, 1878.