He now determined to unite the Volunteers with the parliamentary party as the Ulster Volunteers were linked with Sir Edward Carson and his civilian organization.
The men with whom he had to deal were principally Professor MacNeill and Sir Roger Casement.

His first proposal was to replace the existing Provisional Committee by another, consisting of nine members, with Professor MacNeill, who was regarded as a general supporter of Redmond's, in the chair.

Oddly enough, the negotiations broke down because Redmond nominated Michael Davitt's son along with Mr.Devlin and his own brother to be representatives.

The young Davitt had at an early stage expressed dissent from the movement, and this, coming from his father's son, left bitter resentment.

The existing Committee now proposed to call a National Convention of the Volunteers.