Letter from Seán Nunan to Frederick H. Boland (Dublin)

Dear Fred:
The forthcoming visit to the United States of Deputies de Valera and Aiken has aroused great interest amongst their friends and Ireland's friends here, since the announcement of the visit appeared in the papers last week and I have received telephone inquiries every day as to what their program is to be.

It is, of course, thoroughly understood by all that Mr. de Valera is no longer Taoiseach, but that appears to have made no difference at all to the desire of Irish organisations to have him visit them. Also, our friends seem to think that I should know all about the visit, and take it for granted that I shall be, if not in charge, of their arrangements, at least fully cognizant of them, and will arrange for Mr. de Valera to visit their cities! Needless to say, I make my position in the matter very clear to all inquiries, and am referring them to the visitors at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York.

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The Department of State have, just this moment, telephoned me that the President will see Mr. de Valera on Wednesday the 10th instant, at 12:00 noon, and that I should accompany him. State also informed me that the Secretary of State may be able to see Mr. de Valera on that day also. The time is not fixed yet, as the Secretary has to appear before a Congressional Committee at 11:00 o'clock. State have also asked me to request Mr. de Valera to keep himself free at lunch time, on Wednesday, as they are trying to arrange a small luncheon at Blair House.¹

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