Ryan apologizes for writing a familiar letter to McMaster, whom he has not met, but feels he knows, through the pages of the Freeman's Journal. All in the South, who have read the Journal, love, respect and honor the editor, for his fearless defense of the Cause. In these days of humiliation, the words of encouragement and hope in the Journal are welcome. He asks God's blessing for the editor's fidelity to the cause of Justice, Right and Truth. He points out that in many cases, known to himself, the Journal has been the means of leading souls toward the Church. He mentions two persons he personally baptized, who got their initial interest in the Church from a reading of the Journal. The editor is thus doing good work in the political and religious sphere. Ryan trusts that words from one so humble as himself will not be unacceptable, though he knows that many prominent men have expressed their admiration of the editor's work. He says he has much leisure time and could send an occasional piece in prose or poetry, in which he sometimes indulged, for insertion in the Freeman. He thanks McMaster for his kind notice of the "Conquered Banner" and for having sent copies of it with the last issue of the Journal. :: I-1-n A.L.S. 4pp. 12mo.