Sir Edward Carson and Mr.Devlin gave the debate a more promising tone: but it was difficult for anybody to be sanguine.
Preparation, discussion, went on in private and in public.

It was soon indicated that Sinn Fein would take no part, on the double ground, first, that the Convention was not elective in any democratic sense, for all the representatives of local bodies had been elected before the war, before the rebellion, before the new movement took hold in Ireland; and secondly, that it was committed in advance to a settlement within the Empire.

On the other hand, Redmond was flooded with correspondence concerning candidates for membership of the new body.

There was also the question of a meeting-place.

The Royal College of Surgeons offered its building with its theatre, possessing admirable facilities.