Above : Picture Of Sir Laurence Parsons

Still, even then, had the English Government regained public confidence by promoting Parliamentary Reform and Catholic Emancipation, it is probable that very large numbers of the members who were hesitating would have decided in favour of law and order, and so would either have restored to the association its earlier character, or would have so reduced its strength by their defection as to make a rebellion evidently impracticable. This, as we have seen, was not done. After the recall of Fitzwilliam in 1795, and the rejection of Ponsonby’s Reform Bill in 1797, thousands of Catholics were enrolled and branch societies were founded all over the country.

On paper, at least, the organisation was very perfect. There was a Central Executive of five members, and under this gradations of committees for the counties and districts. In 1796 negotiations with the French Government regularly began. That year Tone was in Paris, and saw some of the leading men in authority, with the object of obtaining military aid for the intended insurrection.

O’Neill