Brian Condon: Letters and Documents in 19th Century Australian Catholic History

[Source: Adelaide Archdiocesan Archives. Marked 'No. 5']

Killmaing

Sept 25^th. 1819

Reverend dear Sir,

I feel particularly obliged to you for your letter of the 23^rd. inst.

You seem to be quite certain that no provision is made for us through our long voyage. Is the Navy Agent able to inform you what arrangements have been made, by the Government, with the Commander of the James? Should matters turn out as you apprehend, an application to the Irish Government will be necessary, and from the characters that compose it, I think it will be attended with success. There will be sufficient time to make this application during the delay of the James at Cork, where her arrival will tell whether it shall be necessary.

I have no object to remain here but to see some old friends, and save the expense of living in Hotels. I request you will write to me regularly as I stated in my letter last week.

I am afraid Dr Slater is not in England, the last letter I received from him was dated Bath 24^th. Aug. In it he stated that he would sail in ten or fifteen days - that time is elapsed.

I wrote to him immediately on the receipt of your first letter to me, pointing out to him the kind of passage you said was prepared for us.

If you wish to write to His Lordship it is more than probable you shall not find him in England. His address is through the Colonial Office. Let your letter to him be first sealed and put under cover directed to Peter Smyth Esq^r. and that enclosed in another cover and sealed to the Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office, Downing Street London.

Be pleased to tell me in your next letter whether the carrier delivered the boxes safely to Mr Jerry Murphy, which I sent to Cork.

I am my dear Sir

Yours sincerely

Philip Conolly

My respectful compliments to Dr Murphy, to Mr P. England O'Keeffe.

You will be apt to find some communications to me at your Post Office.