With the hope that we have succeeded in some measure in living up to the high standard set by our honored predecessor, Thomas Hamilton Murray, in the compiling of the Journal of the American Irish Historical Society, we beg to offer Volume VIII. It is greatly to be regretted that the illness and death of Mr. Murray made it impossible to issue a Journal for 1908, and that a break was necessitated in the series of interesting and ably-edited publications for which he was responsible. It is hoped, therefore, that there will be found enough of interest in the records here submitted to compensate in some small degree for the lapse of a year in the spreading of the Society’s records before its members. The last Volume by Mr. Murray was issued on December 31, 1907. Volume VIII contains nothing of the records of the subsequent year except the account of the annual meeting and dinner held at the Manhattan Hotel, New York, January 29, 1908. This account was compiled through correspondence with various members who were present at that time. The present incumbent was appointed Acting Secretary-General of the Society on November 18, 1908, by the President-General to serve until the next annual meeting, January 16, 1909. At that time he was formally elected to the office for the ensuing year. There being no data previous to this election from which to compile a chronological index for this Volume, its omission has been necessary. Full accounts of all proceedings will be found, however, and every address delivered at any event under the auspices of the Society is given in full, everything of the sort having been reported stenographically by the Society’s stenographer. Many events of direct or indirect interest to our members have also been touched upon. The Society is at the present time in a most prosperous condition. Its financial status is satisfactory, and its membership is steadily increasing, already numbering men of national and international prominence. Its influence is rapidly becoming national, and the accomplishment of its great primary object, “To Make Better Known the Irish Chapter in American History,” seems assured. THOMAS ZANSLAUR LEE, _Secretary-General_. Providence, R. I., April 1, 1909. =American Irish Historical Society.= PREAMBLE, CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE AMERICAN IRISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY ADOPTED AT THE ORGANIZATION MEETING JANUARY 20, 1897. PREAMBLE. Believing that the part taken in the settlement, foundation and upbuilding of these United States by the Irish race has never received proper recognition from historians, and inspired by love for the republic, a pride in our blood and forefathers and a desire for historic truth, this Society has met and organized.