Timothy A. Smiddy to Desmond FitzGerald (Dublin) ¹
(Confidential)

Dear Minister:

In a conversation I had at lunch yesterday with Mr William Castle, Chief of the Western European Division, State Department, he referred to the proposal made by Congressman John J. Boylan to the Foreign Relations Committee to the effect that the U.S.A. Government should accredit a Minister Plenipotentiary to the Government of the Irish Free State. Mr Castle stated that he had one serious objection to such a proposal, viz., that political pressure would be brought to bear upon the U.S.A. President from various Irish organizations which may result in the appointment of one who might possibly voice, and work in, the interests of those opposed to the interests of the Irish Free State, and thereby cause embarrassments to both governments.

In a conversation he had with President Cosgrave last autumn he expressed this view.

It is interesting to note that Mr John J. Boylan pressed, last year, the House of Representatives to express themselves in favour of the release of Mr de Valera. As you have seen by the newspaper cuttings he has now been assailed by the followers of Mr de Valera in this country for suggesting a Minister from the U.S.A. to the Irish Free State.