Whether Mr. O’Connell was influenced by one or all of these occurrences, cannot be affirmed here.  But he proceeded to Ireland in the course of the week, and suddenly called a meeting of the Committee of the Association, before which he arraigned us of discourtesy to him in London, found fault with the meeting at Liverpool, accused the Nation of attacking him, and, finally, expressed his unequivocal disapprobation of my resistance to the order of the chairman in the Hall.  The deputation explained their conduct in London, and the motives that governed them, with which he appeared to be satisfied.  All connection with the proceeding in Liverpool with which he took offence, was disclaimed, and, finally, Mr. Duffy satisfied him that no offence was meant him in the Nation, and that the passage of which he complained had no reference to him.

The discussion was a long and, to some extent, an angry one.  It ended, however, as we thought, amicably.  Mr. O’Connell had proposed at the outset two objects, namely, to express a solemn condemnation of the proceedings in Liverpool, and to expel the Nation from the Association.  The rule of the Association was to send to every locality, at the expense of the body, whatever papers the subscribers of a certain sum desired.  There were then three other weekly papers in Dublin, The Register, the Freeman, and the Old Irelander.  The Nation had a circulation nearly equal to that of all the others.  Its expulsion from the Association would at once deprive it of all the circulation it had through its agency, thus involving a very serious pecuniary loss to Mr. Duffy.

The two positions were abandoned, and the Committee separated on amicable terms.  Another subject of importance was under discussion.  This was, what suitable mark of national respect should be offered to Mr. O’Brien; and it was proposed that the committee should re-assemble on the following day (Sunday), at two o’clock.  At the second meeting the disagreeable topics of the former evening were revived and discussed in a more acrimonious spirit and tone.  The Committee was differently composed, most of the treasurers connected with the Committee being present, and most of the professional men, who attended on Saturday, being absent, Mr. O’Connell saw his advantage, or those under whose guidance he unfortunately was, saw it, and urged him on.  He clearly had a majority.  But having satisfied himself he could succeed, with a resolution refusing to circulate the Nation, he generously conceded the whole matter; and once more the Committee separated on good terms.

It was hoped that, as the concession was entirely voluntary, Mr. O’Connell would be content.  This was a vain hope.  On the next day, he referred to the subject in terms of unmitigated animosity; and on Tuesday the resolution of exclusion, in effect, though not formally, passed in the absence of most of those who were well known to be opposed to it.