The meeting of the Executive Council held in Providence, R. I., July 22, 1909, had a pleasant termination. Francis J. Quinlan, M. D., LL. D., President-General, Michael F. Dooley, Esq., Treasurer-General, Thomas Zanslaur Lee, Secretary-General, Hon. Edward J. McGuire, Hon. Thomas B. Fitzpatrick, Rev. John J. McCoy, D. D., John F. Doyle, Esq., Patrick Carter, Esq., Patrick F. Magrath, Esq., and Colonel John McManus, members of the Executive Council, assembled at the Society’s headquarters and, after considering the business that was brought to their attention, adjourned to accept the very kind invitation of Hon. Charles Alexander to spend the day with him at Macedonia, his beautiful summer home in Barrington, R. I.
The circular calling the meeting of the Council and notifying the members of the invitation was as follows:
There will be a meeting of the Executive Council Thursday, July 22d, at the summer home of Hon. Charles Alexander in Barrington, Rhode Island, who has invited, through Treasurer-General Dooley, the Council to partake of his hospitality on that day. As it is necessary that Mr. Alexander know just how many of the Council are to be present, will you kindly signify immediately on enclosed postal whether or not you will be present?
The members of the Council will assemble at the office of the Secretary-General, seventh floor Industrial Trust Company Building, No. 49 Westminster Street, Providence, Rhode Island, at 10.30 a. m., July 22d, 1909, and will be conveyed to Barrington, twelve miles distant, by automobiles, passing some of the most beautiful shore scenery in Rhode Island.
Luncheon will be served at twelve o’clock, and a genuine Rhode Island clambake will follow at two o’clock. The members will be brought back to the city in time to take trains for New York or other distant points.
The New York members may take the Providence Line Boat if they choose, leaving Pier 18, New York City, at 5.30 o’clock p. m., and arriving in Providence at 7. a. m. the next morning.
As there is much business of importance to be transacted at the meeting, it is earnestly requested that you be present.
The members and invited guests were conveyed by automobiles through East Providence and along the shores of Narragansett Bay to Mr. Alexander’s house, where they arrived in season for luncheon, which was served at one o’clock in the casino adjoining his residence.
Following that the members inspected the beautiful grounds and buildings, engaged in the game of bowls on the lawn, examined the extensive plant for the artificial cultivation of Rhode Island clams, and spent a delightful time in social intercourse until three p. m., when a Rhode Island clambake was served, the menu of which was as follows:
| Clam Chowder | Clam Cakes |
| Broiled Scrod a la Alexander | |
| Baked Clams | |
| Baked Sweet Potatoes | Rhode Island Johnny Cake |
| Baked Lobsters | French Fried Potatoes |
| Watermelon | Indian Pudding |
| Coffee | Cordials |
At the conclusion of the dinner Colonel Alexander invited Treasurer-General Dooley to act as toastmaster, and the latter made a most interesting and timely address. Brief addresses were made by Colonel Alexander, President-General Quinlan, Monsignor Doran, Rev. Dr. McCoy, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Lee, Mr. McGuire, Judge Rathbun and Mr. Magrath.
The meeting of the Executive Council, not having taken an adjournment, was called to order again, and the following gentlemen, upon their application, were unanimously elected members of the Society: Hon. Charles Alexander, Rt. Rev. Mgr. Thomas F. Doran, V. G., LL. D., Hon. Elmer J. Rathbun, Charles B. Humphrey, Esq., and Rev. Owen F. Clarke.
It was unanimously voted “that the thanks of the Executive Council be and they hereby are tendered our most genial host for the splendid dinner and entertainment that the Executive Council have this day received at his hands.”
At the conclusion of the exercises the members and guests, after bidding Colonel Alexander good-bye and wishing him happiness and prosperity as long as he lives, returned to Providence and departed for their respective homes.
To Treasurer-General Dooley is rightly due the happy suggestion that brought about the invitation, and it was entirely through his influence that this excellent and dignified entertainment of the Executive Council took place.
The local members of the Executive Council, deeply appreciative of the nature and extent of the entertainment on July 22nd, 1909, decided to show their appreciation of Colonel Alexander’s generous hospitality in a substantial manner, and Treasurer-General Dooley caused to be made by the Watson & Newell Company of Attleboro, Mass., a punch bowl eleven inches high, holding two and one-half gallons, the edges of which are mounted with massive silver ornaments; two large silver shields are mounted on the bowl, one on the front and one behind. The front one has the American and Irish flags crossed, with the American eagle above and a wreath around the outside of the flags and eagle, the wreath being composed of shamrock entwined with stalks of ripened grain. On the reverse side of the bowl is a large shield with similar wreaths of grain and shamrock, within which is engraved the following inscription:
“Memoria tenere diem ambrosianam apud Macedoniam, Alexandri Maximi Domum, Societatis Historicæ Americo-Hibernicæ Sodales hanc crateram dedicaverunt die sexta decima julii A. D. MDCCCCIX.”
the translation of which is as follows:
“To perpetuate the memory of an ambrosian day at ‘Macedonia,’ the home of Alexander the Greatest, the members of the American Irish Historical Society have dedicated this bowl, the 16th day of July, 1909.”
The letter accompanying the punch bowl when it was delivered to Colonel Alexander was prepared by Mr. Dooley and is as follows:
Dear Mr. Alexander:—We beg you to accept the accompanying souvenir of an occasion fraught with pleasure for all who participated in it. It is sent by the local members of the Executive Council of the American Irish Historical Society, and carries with it their best wishes for you and yours.
May “Macedonia” be its habitat and the scene of its triumphs, and while it will not add lustre to the glories of the “Home of Alexander,” nor bring greater sunshine within its portals than the gracious host himself always sheds about him, it will, we hope, abide with him as a pleasant remembrance of the donors who keep him in living, loving memory.
That our genial host was greatly pleased with the gift is evidenced by his very courteous letter in reply, which is as follows:
Gentlemen: I am in receipt of your cordial letter of October fourteenth and the splendid punch bowl for Macedonia. I heartily thank you for them both, and you may be sure that the home of the bowl will be Macedonia.
It certainly brings to my mind one of the pleasantest days of my life, and I truly hope that Father Time will deal gently with us so that at no distant date we will all meet again at Macedonia, and with good fellowship drink from the bowl to good luck and prosperity for all.
Thanking you for the kind remembrance, I remain,
The whole event from beginning to end was well managed and the gentlemen present enjoyed every minute of the time spent at Macedonia. The affair was managed by Colonel Alexander and Mr. Dooley, and not a single detail for the comfort or pleasure of the Executive Council was omitted. July 22d, 1909, and Macedonia will be long remembered by the members of the Executive Council who participated in this most enjoyable occasion.