A Clan na Gael (United Brotherhood) Letter, Dated May 4, 1887, from M. F. Kennedy of Charleston to John F. Armstrong about the Coercion Act in the London Parliament

March 23, 2018

On 4 May 1887, real estate broker M. F. Kennedy (1844-1923) of Charleston, South Carolina wrote John F. Armstrong (1845-1893) a letter about a new coercion act under consideration in the London Parliament. Kennedy addressed JF as “Dear Sir & Bro.” and signed it “Yours truly & fraternally, M. F. Kennedy”.

In the spring of 1887, JF was actively rallying Irish Americans in Georgia and other states to express their opposition to the proposed coercion act in the London Parliament. Kennedy’s letter was written in response to a letter JF had written to Jim McAlister on the subject.

Kennedy mentioned several people in his letter: Jim McAlister, “Bro. O’Donahue the Sec [sic] of our D”, and Mr. McHugh. He also referenced a suggestion JF made to visit P. T. McE[not legible] in Chicago. Kennedy wrote of his impending trip to Chicago and of his plans “to visit all our friends” while there.

Known by its members as the United Brotherhood, the Clan na Gael was often abbreviated as UB. In the code the Clan used for secrecy, it was often referenced as VC because the code involved using the letter of the alphabet that followed the specified letter of the word or acronym. Thus, UB became VC and Ireland became Jsfmboe.

In Kennedy’s letter, the reference “Sec of our D”, in fact, means Secretary of our Camp. Local Clan groups were referred to as “camps” and were often named after the Irish patriot and martyr Robert Emmet, who was executed by the British for treason in 1803. The reference to “D” was to a local camp in Charleston, or perhaps, the state of South Carolina. The “C” for camp was Clan coded to “D”, since the letter D follows C in the alphabet.

Transcription of the Letter:

Capt Armstrong

Dear Sir and Bro

My friend, J M McAlister handed me your letter (addressed to him) on reference to the worthy object to secure the approval of our prominent people to the condemnation of the proposed coercian act. I read it carefully and discussed the matter with him and Bro O’Donahue the Sec of our D, and efforts will be made to see what can be done. Mr McHugh feels hurt at the action of certain parties who joined the Branch in the popular

[ mity ?] held here some time ago to aid Gladstone in funds and sympathy to carry the elections against the Unionist. I interviewed J M McH today and he promised me to write you full particulars in relation to your suggestion in that letter to call in Mr P.T. McElherne while in Chicago. You evidently forgot to give me his address. Please drop him a line and suggest that he send his address by postcard to the Palmer House “Chicago”, and I will surely call on him and all our friends. I leave for New York tomorrow and go by the Grand Central through Cleveland, Toledo [ + O ? abbrev for Ohio ?] Chicago and will arrive at the [Callis ?] Place Monday evening [next ?] and will attend the convention of the C. K. of H next day (Tuesday) Will stop at the Palmer House.

Many Regards

I remain

Yours truly and fraternally
M F Kennedy

Will write you from Chicago all particulars
MFK

For more information on Kennedy and on the Clan na Gael, see the References with attached notes below.

Please note that Marie Van Sant Hudson contributed research for this post and transcribed Kennedy’s letter.

References

“Coercion Condemned: Georgians Raise Their Voices Against The Measure – A Large Meeting In Augusta Addressed By Prominent Citizens – Resolutions of Sympathy Passed Unanimously and Cabled to Messrs. Parnell and Gladstone – Large Crowd,” Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, GA), 6 April 1887, online archives, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/26948337/?terms=%22John%2BF.%2BArmstrong%22 : accessed 30 March 2018), citing original p. 4, col. 6.—-Notes: JF had been busy rallying support all over Georgia for the condemnation of the proposed coercion act under review in the London Parliament. Apparently JF had sent a letter to Jim McAlister in Charleston, SC recommending that it be strongly protested there also.

“Deaths in South Carolina – M. F. Kennedy.” The State (Columbia, SC), 11 September 1923, online archives, Genealogybank.com (https://www.genealogybank.com : accessed 16 February 2018), citing original, col. 6, p. 2.

“Echoes From The Meeting: Patriotic Sentiment and Champions of Liberty,” Augusta Chronicle (Augusta, GA), 8 April 1887, online archives, Genealogybank.com (https://www.genealogybank.com : accessed 30 March 2018), citing original p. 6.—-Notes: Speeches and letters from a mass meeting of Irish in Augusta, GA to protest the proposed coercion act in the London Parliament.

“Exiles From Erin: Opening Work of the Philadelphia Gathering Performed Without Much Clashing – Parnell’s Telegraphic Advise Wonderfully Shrewd And Deserving of Close Observance – Eloquent Effort of Mr. Alexander Sullivan, of Chicago, of Opening Convention,” Inter-Ocean (Chicago, IL), 27 April 1883, online archives, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/35030279/?terms=%22M.+F.+Kennedy%22 : accessed 25 March 2018), citing original p. 1.—-Notes: Kennedy, a delegate from South Carolina, was named to the Committee on Credentials of the newly formed Irish National League of America.

Kennedy, M. F. (1844-1923) of Charleston, SC to John F. Armstrong (1845-1893) of Augusta, GA, letter, 4 May 1887, privately held by Tulie Wheeler Taylor, 2017.

“The New Irish League – A Declaration of the Principles of Which the Organization Is Founded – Who the New Officers Are – Adoption of the Dublin Platform With Some Slight Modifications and Changes – Useless Debate Choked Off – Closing Scenes of the Convention and Grand Reception at the Academy,” Times (Philadelphia, PA), 28 April 1883, online archives, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/52224560/?terms=%22M.%2BF.%2BKennedy%22 : access 25 March 2018), citing original p. 1.—-Notes: Kennedy was listed as representing South Carolina on the Executive Committee of the new Irish National League of America. James [sic] F. Armstrong was listed as representing Georgia.

“The Special Commission: Royal Courts of Justice, Feb. 7.,” London Times (London, Greater London, England), 7 February 1889, online archives,  Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 2014), citing original p. 10, col. 4-6 and p. 11, col. 2-3.—-Notes: In Clan na Gael circulars, local groups known as camps were referred to in Clan code as “D”. This was because the letter D followed the letter C in the alphabet. Likewise, the Executive Body was referred to as the FC, the United Brotherhood (aka the Clan na Gael) was the VC.