As the matter he placed before me concerns chiefly the American side of our common cause, I thought better to have your view first and be guided by you. General Kirwin seems to be a reliable man, as you stated in your letter, and to be much devoted to our cause. My trip in the East has been a success and will bring out a strong and very important move in favour of Canadian Independence. I will be in Chicago on the 22nd inst. to take part in the French Canadian Convention and hope to obtain there a good result. Allow me to bring your attention to my state of poverty and to ask you if our New York friends could not come to my rescue, in order that I might continue the work, in providing me with at least my travelling expenses. I make that suggestion very reluctantly but by necessity. Believe me, dear Sir, Yours very truly, HONORE MERCIER. P.S.--I would advise you to seal and register every letter you will send me. I intend to leave for Chicago on Sunday, the 13th inst., and stop at Detroit and Buffalo. H. M. [Illustration: facsimile of letter] "THE SUN," _New York, Aug. 12, 1893_. DEAR MR. MORISON, I have just received the enclosed letter. Its demands are moderate. You know the sum which is in my hands. How much should I send him? Please return the letter with your answer. Yours faithfully, C. A. DANA. JAMES MORISON, Esq., _Toronto, Canada_. [Illustration: facsimile of letter] This letter of Mercier's is very significant. I do not understand the allusion to General Kirwin. His name was Michael Kirwin, and he is not to be confused with Capt. Michael Kirwan who served in the North-West Rebellion. I knew the latter well, he was an Irish gentleman. The General Kirwin was a Fenian, and from what I heard of him at the time I gathered that he was somewhat of a soldier of fortune. Whether Mercier was intriguing for a Fenian rising or for Fenian influence in the United States in favour of annexation I do not know, but the association with such a man had a sinister look, to my mind. The letter, however, shows Mercier's strong support of Canadian Independence, and his desire to obtain money from foreign enemies of his country to enable him to carry out his intrigues. The transmission of this letter to the President of the Continental Union Association of Ontario for advice as to how much money should be paid out to Mercier shows how closely the two organisations were working together.