The Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick in the City of New York was instituted on March 17, 1784. It had its origin among Irish officers connected with the armies of the American Revolution. On November 25, 1783, the last British soldier departed from the shores of Manhattan, the British flag which had been nailed to the flagpole of Fort George was hauled down, the American flag was run up in its place, and the Continental Army entered the city. It was led by George Washington, then an adopted member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Philadelphia. At his side rode the Governor, General George Clinton, the son of an Irishman; and the advance battalion was commanded by General Henry Knox, also the son of an Irishman, and a member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Philadelphia. In the environment produced by these conditions, in the atmosphere of liberty and Constitutional government that followed the advent of the American army into its final possession of New York City, was born the Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. Daniel McCormick was its founder and its president for many years. The objects of the Society were to assist poor and distressed natives, and descendants of natives, of Ireland, and promote friendly, social feelings among its members. With these laudable purposes, on March 17, 1784, the first St. Patrick’s Day following the evacuation of New York by the British, the Society inaugurated its festive functions at “Cape’s Tavern.” In the _New York Packet and Advertiser_ of Thursday, March 18, 1784, the following appears: Yesterday, being the anniversary of St. Patrick, his patriotic sons met at Cape’s Tavern, where they gave an elegant entertainment to his Excellency the Governor, Lieut.-Governor, Chancellor and a number of other respectable gentlemen of this State. The day and evening were spent in festivity and mirth, and a number of suitable toasts were drunk upon this joyful occasion. The greatest unanimity and conviviality pervaded this numerous and jovial company, and perhaps this great Saint was never honoured with a concourse of more generous and truly patriotic sons than this assembly afforded.