Mountjoy Prison
Dublin
May 20 1918
My Dear Moll
I am writing these few lines in
the hope that some one of my comrades
here who may be discharged will post
same to you
Of course you must know that I have
really nothing to relate to you. But I can
(imagine) how anxious you would be
to receive some scramble of a letter
from me now and again
so every time that I get the chance I will
send you some scribble
I hope that you are well and also the
children. Neighbors and friends and
that business is going on well
the lads need not fear conscription
Nevertheless they must be up and doing
now or never.
But with the manhood of Ireland and
its Bishops and Priests united together
there need be no fear as to the future of
our Faith and Fatherland – alls well
Irishmen I am sure will now listen to
the voices of truth and reason
The first tells them that they are slaves
of England by reason of the levies of
men (which she seeks through conscription
and wholesale arrests) the enormous taxes,
and the insults heaped upon us are only
too true and real. The voice of reason

Tells us that as long as we remain in this
State of degradation we cannot be respected
We cannot enjoy peace we cannot be freshman
youth, and reason alike tell us that we never
can have a more favorable opportunity
of freeing this dead old land from the yoke
of that cruel tyrant which for generations
have hung round her neck
The mangey Bul-dog thinks that by the
wholesale arrests of our leaders and the
young men of Ireland today she will be
able to kill the spirit of the nation
well England have seven centuries
experience of this hellish work but strange
she has not yet nor never will kill the
faith of the spark of the Irish nation
It was only today we heard of the arrest of
De Valera Etc.
There are over 50 of us here at the present –
all political prisoners (but doing hard labour)
there are also a lot of others in different
parts of the Jail.  I had a short chat
with Mr. Ginnell and Pierce Beasley the other
day they are fine as also is (Hyde Lynch
and Dempsey)[1] the Priest go prayer books
which you sent him but would not give
them to me he gave them to the governor
and he would not give them to me either
The other things you sent were taken
From me also. Collars thread and needles
wash bag etc. so you see what good and
kind people we have here