To place the Irish element in its true light in American history, to secure its correct perspective in relation to historic events on this soil, is the final aim of the new society. Its primal object will be to ascertain the facts, weigh them in relation to contemporary events, and estimate their historical value, avoiding in this process the exaggeration and extravagance of poorly informed writers on the one hand and the prejudice and misrepresentation of hostile writers on the other. The organization will be constructed on a broad and liberal plan. It will be non-political, and no religious test will be required for admission to membership or the holding of office. Being an American organization in spirit and principle, the society will welcome to its ranks Americans of whatever race descent who evince an interest in the special line of research for which the society is organized. Some of the projectors belong to other historical bodies, and it was at first believed that the work for which this new society is to be formed could better be done through the medium of those bodies and without the necessity of a separate organization. Experience, however, has led to the conclusion that this is not so. Hence the resolve to form a distinct body, with its own special object, program, and mode of procedure. There is a place for such a society in the community; its purposes are honorable and useful, and its work should begin while yet documents, records, and historical material are available. We feel that such a work will be valuable not only to the Irish race, but to the American race also, to whose fiber this element has contributed its share. We will be glad to have your good wishes and coöperation in the work. The meeting for organizing the society will be held at the Revere House in Boston, Mass., on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 1897, at 6.30 P.M. Introductory to the proceedings, a dinner will be served. Very respectfully, JOHN C. LINEHAN, State Insurance Commissioner, Concord, N. H. JOSEPH SMITH, Secretary, Board of Police, Lowell, Mass. ROBERT ELLIS THOMPSON, President, Central High School, Philadelphia, Pa. JAMES JEFFREY ROCHE, Editor, _The Pilot_, Boston, Mass. THEODORE ROOSEVELT, New York City. THOMAS J. GARGAN, Boston, Mass. PATRICK WALSH, Ex-U. S. Senator; publisher, _The Chronicle_, Augusta, Ga. THOMAS HAMILTON MURRAY, Editor, _Daily Sun_, Lawrence, Mass. THOMAS A. E. WEADOCK, Member of the LII.d and of the LIII.d Congress, Detroit, Mich. JOHN J. PHELAN, Late Secretary of State, Connecticut, Bridgeport, Ct. EDWARD A. HALL, Member, Connecticut Valley Historical Society, Springfield, Mass. HUGH J. CARROLL, Late a Member of the Rhode Island General Assembly; Ex-Mayor of the city of Pawtucket, R. I.