I should feel ashamed of my manhood if I thought myself
capable of doing anything mean to save my life, to get out
of here, or for any other selfish purpose. Let no man think
a cause is lost because some suffer for it. It is only a
proof that those who suffer are in earnest, and should be an
incentive to others to be equally so--to do their duty with
firmness, justice, and disinterestedness. _I feel confident
of the ultimate success of the Irish cause, as I do of my
own existence._ God, in His great mercy and goodness, will
strengthen the arm of the patriot, and give him wisdom to
free his country. Let us hope that He, in His wisdom, is only
trying our patience. The greater its sufferings, the more
glorious will He make the future of our unfortunate country
and its people.

The shriek of the famine-stricken mother and the helpless
infant, as well as the centuries of misery, call to heaven
for vengeance. God is slow, but just! The blood of Tone,
Fitzgerald, Emmett, and others has been shed--how much good
has it done the tyrant and the robber? None. Smith O'Brien,
McManus, and Mitchel suffered for Ireland, yet not their
sufferings, nor those of O'Donovan (Bossa) and his companions,
deterred Burke, McAfferty, and their friends from doing their
duty. Neither shall the sufferings of my companions, nor mine,
hinder my countrymen from taking their part in the inevitable
struggle, but rather nerve their arms to strike. I would write
on this subject at greater length, but I hope that I have
written enough to show you that if a man dies for liberty, his
memory lives in the breasts of the good and virtuous. You will