8 August, 1875
Mr. James O’Flaherty
1832 Washington St.
Boston, Massachusetts
USA
Jimmy,
I have just received your correspondence, having just returned from Asia
I am writing in hopes that this letter finds you well. I have no idea
what those horrible rags are saying about me over there, but let me
begin by saying that you should know that the worst lies are the ones
tied up with a bit of truth. Listen to the whole of it before going off
the pier.
My primary political interest is in my home, America! This is why I
have directed investment in that aim to you, and I shall write more of
this in a moment. As for me being a politician. First, as a wealthy
landowner I was asked once to stand for office and represent the Irish
Independence party. I politely declined, but there are some additional
facts worth mentioning here:
The old country is a defeated and occupied country, ruled by a
parliament in England. Considering how they’ve already been defeated
(instead of being former colonists that rebelled) and have neither the
resources, space, nor an ocean to separate them from Britain, our
brethren in the old country resist, but do not have the means to rebel
as our American forefathers did. Therefore, there is a growing movement
of proud Irishmen who are working within the English governement to
gain independence through their system. And my own experience with
their version of democracy and with knowing decent English people is
that this is a fine approach to the whole disagreement. There is no
such thing as an Irish politician if there is no Irish government. Yes,
Jimmy, I am not a politician and have not sought being one.
As for the South China Sea and Port Victoria: I have been there
recently on business. I managed to acquire two ships for the company,
though only one managed to stay afloat. I named both for Mum. I did
happen upon our Uncle in that area. He Y N His business there
should not be described by me. I understand a good part of it, but do
not entirely approve. I did offer him an alternative, an opportunity to
work with me in regard to my shipping interests. He was not inclined.
Our greater disagreement came from his belief that he is “Atlas”
O’Flaherty. I know that this statement will be as odd as the rest. All
I can say is, it’s complicated.
I am glad to hear that progress is continuing on the reconstruction of
the area, but am slightly troubled about the bankers and politicians
part. I know that what I direct to you is not a drop in the
bucket to what is needed, but it should be enough for you and the rest
of our Irish brethren to get a foothold of our own in this city. With
that much money passing through their hands, the bankers should know
that their working for us. As to the politicians… Jimmy, you should
know that there is a system in place that guarantees that they’ll get
in the way. The way their system works, what you need to do is find a
representative, preferably some Irish chap who is a lawyer (I know that
you don’t care for Mr. Flanagan, but it doesn’t have to be him, or you
might find him much more agreeable when he is acting on your behalf.
Whatever you do, do not talk to the lawyers I retained in New York) and
that person goes to the party boss with a portion of the building
investment I send you and says something to the effect of “Hello Mr.
Party Boss, we like your party, and would like to contribute to your
fine cause, but some of your city aldermen and such seem to have a
misunderstanding about how we build our businesses, and when it takes
us longer to make businesses it makes it harder for us to make more
money and make more contributions to you fine party. Could you be of
any assistance?”
I am of course troubled to hear the rest. It seems that everywhere
there are similar omens and bad news. All I can say is, sometimes we
think all that we can do is complain, and sometimes there are things
that can be done. I happen to have come to know and work with people
that make great things happen. I am doing my part to make this world a
better place for us all.
Love to all,
Seamus Michael
Proceed to I am cursed
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