If American opinion would only tell the Irish that they had no longer any grievances which legislation could redress, the Irish would believe it, and all would be well.
Though courteously treated as a representative Englishman, Froude had of course no official position, and he hoped that as a private individual his voice might be heard.

But, while there were thousands of native Americans who had no love for their Irish fellow-citizens, there were very few indeed who cared to take up England's case against Ireland.

The Democratic party were inclined to sympathise with Home Rule as being a mild form of Secession, and the Republican party did not see why Ireland should be refused the qualified independence enjoyed by every State of the Union.

In these unfavourable circumstances Froude delivered his first lecture.

He made a good point when he described the Irish peasant in Munster or Connaught looking to America as his natural protector.