Letter from Oscar Underwood to John Quinn, 14 August 1916 Letters 1916-1923 Oscar Underwood

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 Austrian Centre for Digital Humanities Vienna, AT 2026

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This letter was written by Oscar Underwood (1862-1929) to John Quinn (1870–1924), discussing Quinn’s article in the New York Times from the day previous. The article was about the execution of Sir Roger Casement in London. Underwood began his career as a lawyer, quickly moving into politics representing the state of Alabama in the United States Senate. He also sought the presidential nomination at the 1912 Democratic National Convention, but lost out to Woodrow Wilson. At the time of writing the letter Underwood was the chairmen of the Senate Committee on Cuban Relations. John Quinn was a lawyer in New York, the son of Irish immigrants who maintained close ties with Ireland during his life through his patronage of the arts. Quinn also campaigned for Underwood’s presidential nomination in 1912. In the letter, Underwood offers his sympathy to the Irish republican movement following the failed uprising. Underwood also condemned the policies of the British Government, referring to their actions as ‘crimes’.

 New York Public Library Manuscripts and Archives Division John Quinn Memorial Collection, Box 7, f.4 https://letters1916.ie/item/6728 English Oscar Underwood 1916-08-14 John Quinn 31 Nassau Street, New York, US Male 1929 Easter Rising Ireland 1916

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 United States Senate,Committee on Cuban Relations August 14, 1916. L.N.G Mr. John Quinn,31 Nassau St.,New York City. My dear John: I write just a word to tell you that yesterdayI read with great interest your article in the New YorkTimes, in reference to the murder of Casement. It is asplendid article, forecfully and clearly expressed, paintinga word picture that once conceived, will never be forgotten.You gave me new light on the whole situation. I am glad youhave written the article for when this war is over and pre-judice has died away, your paper will live to tell the truthas to one of the great blunders of the British Government.I say blunder to be charitable, crime would possibly be abetter word. Sincerely your friend,OW Underwood Oscar Underwood Letter from Oscar Underwood to John Quinn, 14 August 1916 John Quinn Letter from John Quinn to George Gavan Duffy, 9 September 1916Letter from Oscar Underwood to John Quinn, 14 August 1916Letter from Richard W. Hale to John Quinn, 18 August 1916Letter from Michael Monahan to John Quinn, 21 August 1916Letter from Padraic Colum to John Quinn, August 1916Letter from Alice Stopford Green to John Quinn, 27 August 1916Letter from James Joseph Walsh to John Quinn, 29 June 1923 31 Nassau Street, New York, US Letter from Oscar Underwood to John Quinn, 14 August 1916Letter from Richard W. Hale to John Quinn, 18 August 1916Letter from Michael Monahan to John Quinn, 21 August 1916Letter from Padraic Colum to John Quinn, August 1916Letter from Alice Stopford Green to John Quinn, 27 August 1916