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

In confirmation of my cable No. 140 of the 9th instant,¹ I desire to state that the information concerning Mr. George A. Garrett which was contained in my cable No. 130² was given to me by Mr. Thomas E. Burke who was formerly Chief of the Division of Communications of the Department of State.

Mr. Burke and his wife, who is a Chilean, are very well known in diplomatic and social circles in Washington, and are to be met at almost every diplomatic reception in town. I felt, therefore, that he would have a good slant on Mr. Garrett because of his knowledge of Washington society. The information which he gave me was not all from his own knowledge of Mr. Garrett, as he also made independent enquiries of some of his friends - without, of course, disclosing why or on whose behalf the enquiries were being made.

In accordance with the instructions contained in your cable No. 132,³ I called on Mr. Garrett on the 9th instant and conveyed to him an assurance of the Taoiseach's pleasure at his appointment and of the warm welcome awaiting him in Ireland. He was very grateful indeed for the message.

Mr. Garrett is a fine looking man of the outdoor type with a very pleasant manner and voice. He owns a 1000-acre estate at Warrenton, Virginia in the heart of the hunting country where, in addition to his riding stable, he breeds horses. Mrs. Garrett is also a keen horsewoman, I am informed.

He has never met Mr. Gray, but said he understood from Lady Adare, whom he met in Florida recently, that Mr. Gray was a very fine man. I said that personally, Gray was alright, but that as American Minister, he had done a very poor job, both for his own country and for Ireland and elaborated somewhat on his unfortunate association with the wrong type of people since he went to Ireland. I said that times and the Government had changed completely since Mr. Gray paid a visit to Ireland some 35 or so years ago and that he did not appear to realize the changes that had taken place, and that as practically all his contacts were with the survivors of what was once the 'ruling class', it was consequently impossible for him to interpret to his Government Ireland as she is today.

Mr. Garrett said that he was most anxious to do a good job in Ireland and asked me whether I could spare him some time occasionally before he goes - which will be in July - to brief him on all matters of which he should be aware. I shall, of course, take every possible opportunity to indoctrinate him on the right lines.

He told me that he knew Mr. Smiddy⁴ when he was Irish Free State Minister here, and Mr. W.J.B. Macaulay whom he also met in Rome when Mr. Macaulay was Minister to the Holy See. He is a friend of Mr. Sterling⁵ who was United States Minister to Ireland and knew Mr. Cudahy.⁶

I shall report further on him as the opportunities arise.