A notable celebration took place in New York City in 1766. Some of the toasts offered on that occasion appear very strange in these days. It should be remembered, however, that British influence dominated the gathering and that if any of the assembled company disagreed with “The Glorious Memory of King William,” for instance, they very wisely kept their opinions to themselves. Some of the toasts, however, appear to have been quite commendable. The New York Gazette, March 20, 1766, and the New York Mercury, March 24, 1766, have the following account of the celebration:
Monday last being the Day of St. Patrick, tutelar Saint of Ireland, was ushered in at the Dawn, with Fifes and Drums, which produced a very agreeable Harmony before the Doors of many Gentlemen of that Nation, and others.
Many of them assembled, and spent a joyous tho’ orderly Evening, at the House of Mr. Bardin in this City, where the following Healths were drank, Viz.
1. The King and Royal House of Hanover. 2. The Governor and Council of the Province. 3. The glorious memory of King William, &c. 4. The Memory of the late Duke of Cumberland. 5. The Day; and Prosperity to Ireland. 6. Success to the Sons of Liberty in America, may they never want Money, Interest, nor Courage to Maintain their Just Rights. 7. Mr. Pitt. 8. General Conway. 9. May the Enemies of America be branded with Infamy and Disdain. 10. May the honest Heart never know Distress. 11. The Protestant Interest. 12. May all Acts of Parliament Contrary to the American Interest be laid aside. 13. Success to American Manufacturers. 14. May the true Sons of Liberty never want Roast Beef nor Claret. 15. More Friends and less need. 16. Conquest to the Lover and Honour to the Brave. 17. May we never want Courage when we come to the Trial. 18. The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. 19. May the Enemies of Ireland never eat the Bread nor drink the Whisky of it, but be tormented with Itching without the benefit of Scratching. 20. Our Noble Selves.
The next celebration of which we find mention took place in 1768, concerning which the New York Gazette, March 14, that year, had the following:
The Gentlemen of Ireland
Who intend dining together on St. Patrick’s Day, are desired to send their Names to Bolton and Sigell’s that Dinner may be prepared accordingly.
In the same issue of the Gazette we also find a statement to the effect that “The Members of the most ancient and truly benevolent Order of St. Patrick intend to celebrate the anniversary of that Saint, at the House of John Marshall, at the ancient Mason’s Arms, near the Hon. William Walton’s, Esq.; on Thursday the 17th Instant, for which Purpose Tickets are now delivered at the said John Marshall’s.”
Now comes into view an organization known as the “Friendly Brothers of St. Patrick.” It appears to have been divided into “knots” and to have been largely, or entirely, composed of men in the British service. In the New York Gazette of March 13, 1769, a notice appears, stating that:
The principal Knot of the Friendly Brothers of St. Patrick, in the XVIth Regiment of Foot, will meet at Messieurs Bolton and Sigel’s, on Friday the 17th Inst. being the Patron Day of the Order, at 2 o’Clock, to dine and transact Business. Such Gentlemen in this City as are of the Order, are desired to attend.