New York, Jan. 4, 1897.
Dear Sir:—I am too much occupied with my professional engagements to be able to get away from home at this season, and I will therefore not be able to attend the meeting for organizing the society on January 20. But I am in close sympathy with the movement, and believe that there exists a large and promising field for an Irish Historical Society in this country. This opinion is based on the fact that during a long life I have devoted the greater part of my leisure time to the study of American history. Until recently I possessed probably the largest library and the largest collection of autographic documents bearing on American history ever held by one individual. From my knowledge thus gained, I am firmly of the conviction that the Irish, by birth or descent, have contributed during the past two hundred years, and from every station in life, more in number, more brain work and muscle for the development of the country at large than has been furnished by every other nationality of the world combined.
With some experience in getting up such an undertaking, I will take the liberty of making a suggestion: The success of the proposed society will rest entirely, I believe, on one feature—putting it in the hands of young men, who must be put forward with the responsibility to do the work. It is but proper that the older men should make the first move, give it their support and contribute hereafter so far as they may be able to do; but unless the young men become interested in the undertaking, and sufficiently to be willing to do the work, it will prove a failure.
Yours very truly,
Thomas Addis Emmet.
From Hon. E. A. Moseley.
Washington, January 6.
Dear Sir:—I am very glad indeed to know that there will be an American Historical Society whose special line of research will be the history of the Irish element in this country, and I will cheerfully aid in the work as far as I can.
I am ninth in descent from Lieut. Thaddeus Clark, who came from Ireland and died in Portland, May 16, 1690. He was lieutenant of a company of men engaged in the defense of Falmouth, now Portland, during the Indian War. He fell into ambuscade with his company while making a reconnoitre, and was killed with twelve of his men.
I am eleventh in descent from Deputy-Governor George Cleeves, who was the founder of Portland, formerly Falmouth. I have the impression that he was an Irishman also.