A severe blow was dealt to the project at the outset by the refusal of Mr.Justin McCarthy, who then spoke for the largest section of the Nationalist representatives, to have anything to do with it.

His reply to the letter must be given in full:-- MY DEAR MR.

PLUNKETT, I am sure I need not say that any effort to promote the general welfare of Ireland has my fullest sympathy.

I readily acknowledge and entirely believe in the sincerity and good purpose of your effort, but I cannot see my way to associate myself with it.

Your frank avowal in your letter of August 27th is the expression of a belief that if your policy could be successfully carried out the Irish people "would cease to desire Home Rule." Now, I do not believe that anything in the way of material improvement conferred by the Parliament at Westminster, or by Dublin Castle, could extinguish the national desire for Home Rule.