This was a matter that had caused Carson anxiety for some time.

He was extremely sensitive to the moral responsibility he would incur towards those who so eagerly followed his lead, in the event of their suffering loss of life or limb in the service of Ulster.

His proposal that a guarantee fund of a million sterling should be started, met with a ready response from the Council, and from the wealthier classes in and about Belfast.

The form of "Indemnity Guarantee" provided for the payment to those entitled to benefit under it of sums not less than they would have been entitled to under the Fatal Accidents Act, the Employers' Liability Act, and the Workman's Compensation Act, as the circumstances of the case might be.
The list was headed by Sir Edward Carson, Lord Londonderry, Captain Craig, Sir John Lonsdale, Sir George Clark, and Lord Dunleath, with a subscription of L10,000 each, and their example was followed by Mr.Kerr Smiley, M.P., Mr.R.M.Liddell, Mr.George Preston, Mr.Henry Musgrave, Mr.C.E.Allen, and Mr.Frank Workman, who entered their names severally for the same amount.

A quarter of a million sterling was guaranteed in the room before the Council separated; by the end of a week it had grown to L387,000; and before the 1st of January, 1914, the total amount of the Indemnity Guarantee Fund was L1,043,816.
It gave Carson and the other leaders the greatest possible satisfaction that the response to this appeal was so prompt and adequate.