But, to return. I got three signatures by letter since I came back to Dublin. The letters shall be sent as vouchers. As my tour was unavoidably shortened, Mr. C—— procured me another signature; while Dan, who recently received a remittance will, in two or three days, send me not less than six more. Altogether, I should have from 27 to 30. This is surely wonderful, considering all things. Bear in mind, that two places in North Tipperary (where things are more or less in confusion) and three in Waterford County, (which I have reason to believe more or less good), with three indifferently managed places in other directions, must all remain unvisited. This, for many reasons, which can be explained hereafter.
I had almost forgotten to add here, that I expect that numbers of letters will be written by friends of ours in various parts of Ireland, calling on their friends at the other side to sustain you. In a word, the confidence of our shareholders cannot be overturned. I may as well state now, that the prospect of a visit from you delighted all. This visit will produce the greatest results. Nothing should prevent it from taking place.
I might for a moment speak my own mind. When our concern began, I was not over-sanguine. But now, supposing I were not already a shareholder and yet could know everything I do know, I would at once become a shareholder, aye, without a moment’s hesitation or loss of time. I say it emphatically; we have to-day a better starting point than any we have had up to this.
This belief of mine is shared by most of our friends. Even J. P. Leonard of Paris, (coldly as he is wont to look on our prospects, and little prone as he is to indulge in sanguine anticipations)—agreed with me so far, two or three days ago. But, when I speak thus confidently, recollect that my confidence is based on the hope that we shall now act on the minds of our friends across the sea in such wise as to make them react on us in a regular go-ahead style. We bear, recollect, a certain brunt, which as yet they have not to bear. It is little enough, then for them to attend chiefly and efficiently to the financial department. Besides, have not our friends here sunk large sums, too?
But, if the two battledores, so to speak, cannot keep the shuttlecock flying, backward and forward, without stop or fall, things must go wrong. In short, there must be incessant activity, alike with you, and with us; and intercommunication and enterprise, too.
In fact, some few of our shareholders in the South are beginning to lose faith in your branch, and to think more and more every day of self-reliance. They are in sooth, a little disgusted with the great promises and little performance of some men at the other side who, let me add, seem so ready to censure shortcomings, for which in reality, they have only themselves to blame, and to believe the vilest slanders, backed by testimony insufficient to convict, the basest of mankind.
I remain, dear Mr. O’Mahony,
Very truly yours,
Thomas Clark.
Then, on the American side of the water, there were rumors going around to the prejudice of John O’Mahony, and of his efforts to spread the movement. Parties were saying that everything in Ireland was dead; that there was no organization there; that what was there, died out with the arrest and imprisonment of the men there.