A letter from Patrick James Smyth, Auburn Villa, Rathgar, Dublin, to James Joseph O’Kelly, referring to the recruitment of an Irish brigade for service in France. The letter reads ‘Shortly after the capitulation of Sedan, I was informed by Mr. T.D. Sullivan that an accredited agent of the French government was in Dublin … and that he wished to see me’. The letter appears to be incomplete. The letter is endorsed ‘7204’.
A letter from Patrick James Smyth (1823-1885), Auburn Villa, Rathgar, Dublin, introducing James Joseph O’Kelly to Monsieur de Taillon in Caen, France. The letter is endorsed ‘7211’.
Letter from Mary MacSwiney (Máire Nic Shuibhne), 23 Suffolk Street, Dublin, to ‘Brother Shannon’ (Br. Senan Moynihan OFM Cap.), St. Bonaventure’s Capuchin Hostel, Cork, expressing her disquiet that he published the second part of ‘Scéal “Sheandúin” without her permission. She asks for the return of the original manuscript.
Letter from John Patrick Lynch, Belfield, Stillorgan Road, Booterstown, Dublin, apologizing for not being able to attend Mrs Woodlock’s funeral in Glasnevin owing to the onset of a bad cold.
Letter from John O’Mahony, Cork, to a ‘dear friend’ [likely either James Joseph O’Kelly or John O’Connor Power]. The letter reads ‘I have received orders to suppress any attempt at raising an “Irish Brigade” for any purpose than that of Ireland’. The letter adds ‘There are a great many persons here who would be only to anxious to fight for France, but in the face of the orders I have received, you cannot blame me for not giving you the assistance which in my heart I would wish’. Endorsed ‘Memo / written by O’Mahony … Cork’. 25 February 1871. Endorsed on front page ‘7197’.
Letter from John O’Connor Power (1846-1919), St. Jarlath’s College, Tuam, County Galway, to a ‘dear friend’, referring to the possibility of forming an Irish brigade to serve in France. The letter reads ‘Late events in France have so depressed our people that, I do not see how anything can be done except in the vicinity of large towns. You will get no man in these parts to offer his life in the place of the “Garde nationale” who run away so frequently unless for a large consideration and since all can’t be officers the consideration will not be forthcoming’. He also refers to his friend ‘John Mahony of 32 Mill Street Cork’. A summary note is attached to the letter and reads ‘John O’Connor Power, St. Jarlath’s, Tuam, 2 Feb. 71 / “non arrival of the parcel / “Quirke” / “Mr John O’Farrell / “O’Phelan” / Mahony in Cork / J.N.’. Both the summary note, and the letter are endorsed ‘7199’.
Letter from Fr. Patrick Lavelle, Cong, County Mayo, to P.J. Leonard referring to support for the French military ‘in this hour of bitter trial and overwhelming disaster’. A note attached to the letter reads ‘Father Lavelle / Cong / 11 Jan. 71 / French / introducing Kelly to Bishop Dupanloup [of] Orleans / Kelly wishes to join the army’. The note is endorsed ‘7196’.
Letter from Fr. Laurence Dowling OFM Cap., Father Mathew Hall, Church Street, Dublin, to Br. Senan Moynihan OFM Cap. thanking him for his offer of Irish language material for ‘The Father Mathew Record’. Fr. Laurence wrote ‘You can write on any subject you like, and we shall rely entirely on your own good judgement. If you think some simple lessons in the Irish language would be popular, you may of course do them’.
Letter to Br. Senan Moynihan OFM Cap. from Fr. Laurence Dowling OFM Cap., Parochial House in Windgap, Callan, County Kilkenny, re an article about postage stamps in aid of the foreign missions. Reference is also made to contributions to ‘The Father Mathew Record’ seemingly by Frank Ryan.
