He was under a strong sense of obligation, which he felt bound to fulfil.

It is impossible not to admire the chivalrous and intrepid spirit with which he undertook singlehanded to justify the conduct of his countrymen before the American people, and to persuade them that England had provocation for her treatment of Ireland.

Once convinced that his cause was righteous, he never flinched.

He believed that false views of the Irish question prevailed in America, and that he could set them right.

He did not altogether underrate the magnitude of the enterprise.