Activate Javascript or update your browser for the full Digital Library experience.
Next Page
OCR
se .
wet rs 4
CIRCULAR. !
+
SevaTE Camper, FEntAN on eon
New York, December 7, 1865,
Yo the Meinbers of the Fenian Brotherhood:
~ Brotners :
However painful the accompanying resolutions may be, we, your representatives, had but one
uternative before us—to submit in silence to the ruin of our cause and the robbery of 2 too-confiding
people, or to lay before you the truth, and trust to your virtue and patriotism to save Ireland and her
name from the contempt of the world. .
In a few days you will be in possession of an official statement of every fact; until then let it suffice
to say that the Secretary of War, General T. W. Sweeny, a tried and experienced soldier, whose ability
and gallantry have stood the test of eighteen years, has been impeded in the perfection of his-plans for
immediate action by the imbecility and the dishonesty of men in whom we had, unfortunatelyeapposed
our confidence. ae
The President, disregarding that Constitution which he ‘has sworn to you to support, refuses to
acknowledge the authority of the Senate, your chosen Representatives. .
The Secretary of the Treasury refuses an investigation of his books. We are prevented from inquiring
into the expenditure of those moneys which you had contributed to further the cause of your country.
Fifty thousand dollars had been appropriated to the War Department ; but, when $10,000 was called for,
to buy arms and ‘material of war, the money was refused, although it was stated that “ small amounts
would be given to meet current expenses.” And yet there were funds wherewith a palace was hired, $18,000
paid in adyance for eighteen months’ rent, $5,000 more deposited in the hands. of the owner as security:
for possible damages to his premises, and locked up. in his hands until 1867; sumptuous sleeping rooms
have been fitted up, and elegant furniture purchased for several thousand dollars more, for the accommo-
dation not merely of the machinery necessary to our government, but also for the use of 2 crowd of use-
less, and in some cases even dangerous, hangers-on, whose names haye never been presented to your Senate
for confirmation,
We ask of you only to look at faets—to listen to the truth. Wernask of you to support that man
whose appointment to the direction of military affairs was hailed by all of you asa pledge that business
was meant, and that we were no longer to remain inactive, while our brethren at home were lying ina
British dungeon, awaiting their summons to the scaffold.
All remittances of moneys for the purposes of the Fenian Brotherhood should be made in drafts
payable to the order of the Treasurer, Patrick O’Rourke, and. be directed to Box 5,141, Post Office,
New York. An account of the amount money forwarded by each Cirele, since the date of the Philadelphia
Congress, should be sent by the Treasurer of the Circle to the address of the Treasurer in New
York, as above.. The names of those members who -have paid the “final call” should also be sent
on, in order that such members may receive the bonds: therefor, when properly signed and ‘issued *
We remain, Brothers, yours in fraternity,
JAMES GIBBONS,
P. BANNON,
J. W. FITZGERALD,
W. SULLIVAN,
P, OROURKE,
WILLIAM FLEMING,
EDWARD L. CAREY.
PATRICK J. MEEILAN,
MICHAEL SCANLAN,
W. R. ROBERTS,