Confidential Report from Michael MacWhite to Joseph P. Walshe (Dublin)
(1008-3-29) (Confidential)

Sir:¹

After presenting my credentials to the President last Thursday, I left for Chicago where I had a very cordial reception.

Immediately after my arrival there, I was informed that Mr. Denis F. Kelly of 'The Fair' had organized a luncheon in my honour, at which assisted the principal business men of Chicago. I will send you details regarding this later.

On Saturday evening, the 16th, I spoke at a banquet of the Irish Fellowship Club, at which about 600 persons assisted. There I dealt principally on economic matters, as you can see from the extracts from the newspapers which are enclosed. Although I had a speech partly written, I did not think it was necessitated by the circumstances. My speech was broadcasted.

On Sunday I assisted at High Mass at old St. Patrick's church, which had been decorated for the occasion by the pastor, Father McNamee. Not only did he announce my presence from the pulpit, but had me photographed in the church during High Mass. After Mass, Father McNamee gave a reception at which several hundred people, parishioners and others, assisted. After the reception about 200 were entertained at lunch by Father McNamee, at which I had to speak again, in addition to several distinguished citizens of Chicago, including a Mr. Wolfe, who I was informed was the banker for Mr. de Valera as recent as twelve months ago.

Before leaving for Chicago, I had asked Mr. Kevin Kelly to find out very discretely if it would be possible for me, during my stay there, to pay my respects to Cardinal Mundelein.² He approached Mr. Denis F. Kelly on the subject, who had a conversation with the Cardinal's Secretary, which did not lead to anything.

On Sunday evening I left Chicago for Philadelphia, and addressed on Monday night the banquet given by the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, at which over 600 (gentlemen only) were present. I had no written speech, but you will see from the cuttings from the Philadelphia papers which are enclosed, the subjects on which I commented. My reception there was of an extremely cordial nature.

On Tuesday, the 19th, I paid my respects to Cardinal Dougherty, who received me most courteously. I also paid my respects to Mayor Mackey, who expressed himself in most flattering terms about the visit of the President to his city last year.

This evening we are dining with the Secretary of State,³ but immediately afterwards, towards midnight, must take the train for New York where my wife and myself are to be the guests of honour at a non-partisan and non-sectarian organization for a United Irish Centre. On Sunday evening I am to open an exhibition of Irish paintings at New York and hope to return here by Wednesday morning.

As you can see from the foregoing, I am extremely busy and have not yet had time to examine many details of the work of the Legation, or even to pay my respects to my Colleagues of the Diplomatic Corps. I hope, however, to be able to make some progress in this matter during the coming week, but I have several engagements to speak at some very important American Institutions. It will be absolutely impossible for me to prepare any speeches for those occasions, for to do so would require at least two special secretaries.