196 UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO STUDIES 



Emerald Isle. This convention was probably the beginning of a broil 

 later to do sad havoc to the Fenian cause. The constitution was 

 amended. Part of O'Mahony's power was taken from him, it appears, 

 and vested in a Senate (which took the place of the Executive Council) 

 and a House of Representatives. The bone of contention was the problem 

 as to what was the best method of starting the next affray for the inde- 

 pendence of Ireland. One faction, led by O'Mahony and backed by 

 Stephens, 1 wanted to foster a second rising in Ireland. The other 

 faction, led by Roberts and Sweeney, wanted to begin the affray by an 

 invasion of Canada. The convention sent a delegation to Washington, 

 which announced 2 on its return that the President and Senate favored 

 this plan of seizing British territory in America. 



Although the members of the convention were divided as to the best 

 method of opening the conflict, all were a unit in thinking that the hour 

 for winning the independence of Ireland had come. To this end they 

 once again declared the Irish Republic to be a free and independent 

 nation. They issued bonds in the name of the republic, redeemable 

 six months after the acknowledgment of its independence. 3 New 

 York City was decreed to be the temporary capital of the Irish 

 nation. 



The convention over, O'Mahony opened up in New York City 

 spacious headquarters. He appointed a minister of war, a minister of 

 the navy, and a minister of finance. 4 These shared his executive mansion 5 

 with him. Great care was taken to reorganize the Fenian army, special 

 pains being taken to give it its full quota of generals, major-generals, 

 and colonels. One of the first measures of the new Irish Republic was 

 to levy an income tax. But the opposing factions could not be reconciled 

 and within three months the broil 6 was waxing warm indeed. O'Mahony 



1 Who had in the meantime skilfully escaped from prison. 



3 Contemporary Review, Vol. XIX, p. 309. 



3 "It is hereby certified," read these bonds, "that the Irish Republic is indebted unto or bearer 



in the sum of ten dollars redeemable six months after the acknowledgment of the independence of the Irish 

 nation, with interest from the date hereof inclusive, at 6 per cent, per annum payable on presentation of this 

 bond at the treasury of the Irish Republic." — Geneva Arbitration, Vol. II, p. 254. 



■» Lalor, Vol. II, p. 173; Geneva Arbitration, Vol. II, p. 254. 



s Rental $1,200 per year. 



6 Providence Daily Journal, January 2, 5, 8, and 15, 1866; also May 1, 4, 12, and 17, 1866. 



