My Dear Sir:—I regret that other duties will prevent me from being with you on Wednesday, January 20, 1897. I assure you that I am in hearty accord with the purpose of your organization. The Irish race owe it to themselves and their successors to leave a united history of an undivided people in America. One of the noblest characteristics of the Irishman is that he is religious, and has enough of religion to be willing to fight for it. But God forbid that this should in any way hinder in telling the united story of our people. The Irish Catholic and the Irish Presbyterian have more than once stood together for liberal government in Ireland. And the Irish Presbyterian and Irish Catholic stood together here when Washington was leading the people from under the yoke of oppressive taxation without representation. The Irish-American has a place and a name in this glorious country of ours, and as we fought for our freedom and then for the Union we will live—and, if need be, fight side by side to maintain it.
I am truly yours,
J. Gray Bolton, D. D.
From Rev. John J. McCoy, P. R.
Chicopee, Mass., Jan. 3, 1897.
Dear Sir:—For some twelve years and more I have been doing some work in looking up the records of our people here in New England, especially the records of their church building. During that time I felt the great need of some such society as you now have in intention, and I hail your work as most opportune and useful. Make me one of you and kindly tell me what is to be done to have active participation in the society’s work.
Truly yours,
(Rev.) Jno. J. McCoy, P. R.
The second meeting of the society was held in accordance with the following invitation:
Dear Sir:—You are hereby notified that the second meeting of the American-Irish Historical Society will be held at the Revere House in Boston, Mass., Monday evening, April 19, 1897 (the anniversary of the battle of Lexington, Concord, and Cambridge).