On March 17, 1814, the Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick met to celebrate the anniversary of St. Patrick in Philadelphia. The United States was in the middle of war with England that would last for nearly another year. The following is a transcription, and notes, from that gathering.

From Rules Minutes &c. of the Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, 1813-1852, p. 20-22.

A portion of the transcribed text is from the digitized copy from The Society of The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick for The Relief of Emigrants from Ireland collection found in Falvey’s Digital Library.

20

This being the anniversary of St. Patrick, [2] the Society, [3] agreeably to former arrangement dined together at the Mansion House Hotel in Market Street, and were honored with the company of the officers of the St. Andrew’s, [4] St. George’s, [5] the Welsh and the German [6] Societies, and of the Right Reverend

21.

Bishop White, [7] the Reverend Doctors Blackwell [8] and Abercrombie [9] and other respectable citizens. After Dinner the following toasts were given from the Chair.

1. The Immortal Memory of St. Patrick.
2. The Land of our Fathers.
3. The United States: __ the country of our Adoption.
4. The Memory of George Washington.
May it ever be, as it always has been, held in grateful remembrance by the
Hibernian Society. [10]
5. The Memory of General Montgomery, [11] and the nation of Hibernia, [12] who spilt
their blood for the achievement of the Independence of America.
6. The President [13] and constituted authorities of the Union.
7. The Governor [14] and Commonwealth of Pennsylva
8. The Militia, Army and Navy of the United States.
May their joint and separate exertions in defense of this country meet their best
reward — the approbation of that country.

22.

9th The Union of the States
May each return of our anniversary find that Union drawn more close and more strongly cemented by mutual for bearance, material good will and mutual interests.
10th The Commerce, the Agriculture and the Manufacturer of the United States.
As they naturally depend upon each other, may no unreasonable jealousies deprive them of mutual assistance.
11. The Ocean
May it be the great high was for all Nations – Usurped by none.
12. The American Non descripts: Best described by Commodores Bainbridge, [15] and Decatur: [16] the Captains Hull [17] and Jones, [18] their brave officers and crews.
13. A speedy Peace, [19] upon such terms as the United States ought to grant, and the Enemy ought to accept.
14. Social Intercourse.
May the spirit of a party never rise so high as to destroy private friendships, prevent the reunion of good men, or endanger the Liberties and Happiness of our common Country.

23.

15. The benevolence Societies of St. Andrews, St. George, the Welsh and the German.
16. The Education of Youth: __ the only certain mode of securing to the commonwealth “Virtue, Liberty and Independence”.
17. The fair daughter of Columbia. [20]

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[1] “History.” Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick For the Relief of Emigrants From Ireland. 15 Sep. 2017. <http://www.friendlysons.com/history/>
[2] “… Known as the “Apostle of Ireland”, he is the primary patron saint of Ireland” Saint Patrick. Wikipedia. 15 Sep. 2017. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Patrick>
[3] “History.” Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick For the Relief of Emigrants from Ireland. 15 Sep. 2017. <http://www.friendlysons.com/history/>
[4] “About Us.” The St. Andrew’s Society of Philadelphia. 15 Sep. 2017. <http://98.129.112.200/about-us/>
[5] “… being citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, having associated for the purpose of establishing in Philadelphia, a society for the advice and assistance of Englishmen” St. George Society of Philadelphia. Wikipedia. 15 Sep. 2017. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._George_Society_of_Philadelphia>
[6] “Our History.” The German Society of Pennsylvania. 15 Sep. 2017. <http://www.germansociety.org/our-history/>
[7] White, William, 1748-1836. ; William White (bishop of Pennsylvania). Wikipedia. 15 Sep. 2017. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_White_(bishop_of_Pennsylvania)>
[8]Blackwell, Robert, 1748-1831. ; “Blackwell Rev. Robert, D. D. 50 Pine” Paxton, John A. The Philadelphia Directory and Register for 1813… Philadelphia : B. & T. Kite, 1813. Internet Archive. 15 Sep. 2017. <https://archive.org/stream/philadelphiadire1813phil#page/55/mode/2up/search/blackwell>
[9]Abercrombie, James, 1758-1841. ; “Abercrombie James, D. D. assistant minister of Christ & St. Peter’s churches Sec. 162 S. Fourth” Paxton, John A. The Philadelphia Directory and Register for 1813… Philadelphia : B. & T. Kite, 1813. Internet Archive. 15 Sep. 2017. <https://archive.org/stream/philadelphiadire1813phil#page/25/mode/2up/search/Abercrombie>
[10] “is an Irish Catholic fraternal organisation. Members must be Catholic and either born in Ireland or of Irish descent. Its largest membership is now in the United States” Ancient Order of Hibernians. Wikipedia. 15 Sep. 2017. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Order_of_Hibernians>
[11] Montgomery, Richard, 1738-1775. ; “a major general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, and he is most famous for leading the failed 1775 invasion of Canada” Richard Montgomery. Wikipedia. 15 Sep. 2017. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Montgomery>
[12] “is the Classical Latin name for the island of Ireland. ” Hibernia. Wikipedia. 15 Sep. 2017. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hibernia>
[13] Madison, James, 1751-1836. ; “Presidents: James Madison.” The White House. Whitehouse.gov. Washington, D.C. 15 Sep. 2017. <https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600/presidents/jamesmadison>
[14] Snyder, Simon, 1759-1819. ; “the third Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, serving three terms from 1808 to 1817.” Simon Snyder. Wikipedia. 15 Sep. 2017. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Snyder>.
[15] Bainbridge, William, 1774-1833. ; William Bainbridge. Wikipedia. 15 Sep. 2017. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Bainbridge>
[16] Decatur, Stephen, 1779-1820. ; Stephen Decatur. Wikipedia. 15 Sep. 2017. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Decatur>
[17] Hull, Isaac, 1773-1843. ; Isaac Hull. Wikipedia. 15 Sep. 2017. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Hull>
[18] Jones, Jacob, 1768-1850. ; Jacob Jones. Wikipedia. 15 Sep. 2017. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_Jones>
[19] “The War of 1812 lasted from June 1812-February 1815, a span of two years and eight months.” “War of 1812 — FAQs” Civil War Trust. ©2017 Civil War Trust. 15 Sep. 2017. <https://www.civilwar.org/learn/articles/war-of-1812-faqs>
[20] “… is a historical name used by both Europeans and Americans to describe the Americas, the New World, and often, more specifically, the United States of America. ” Columbia (name). Wikipedia. 15 Sep. 2017. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_(name)>