Jackson's trial was continually postponed and by the turn of the year there were hopes that he might be treated leniently. The not-guilty verdicts returned in the trials of Drennan, the Northern Star proprietors, and similar trials in England restored some temporary calm to reformism. With the downfall of Robespierre in France the reformers’ criticism of the war and admiration for the French Revolution – so noticeably muted during the Terror – returned. The Catholic campaign and the United Irishmen alike revived in a low-key fashion. But on the whole Tone appears to have maintained his bargain with Beresford until formally invited back as agent by the Catholics in December 1794. By then the climate had changed so dramatically as to suggest that in his case bygones might be put aside.

I

The main reason was the possibility of a total change in Irish politics favourable to Catholic claims. Rumours of a coalition between the Pitt government and the Portland Whigs had been current since 1792 and it was generally assumed that the Irish viceroyalty would go to the Whigs. The formal accession of the Whigs to the coalition took place in July 1794. Within weeks the Whig candidate for the Irish post, Earl Fitzwilliam, was canvassing the Irish opposition, and a change in the system of governing Ireland was confidently expected. Grattan was invited to London for negotiations and on his return told the Dublin Catholics to recommence their campaign. By October they were being courted on all sides and once again the populace was brought into the fray by a vigorous publicity campaign. Rumour had it that even Rowan and Tandy might be allowed to return under the new regime. On 23 December the Dublin Catholics met to celebrate the second anniversary of their Convention and resolved to petition the incoming administration for a total repeal of the remaining penal laws. Grattan was approached to present the petition and Tone was called back as agent.

But if Tone expected to be rehabilitated he was rudely disabused. Fitzwilliam's sweep of offices to bring in the Ponsonby clan displaced the leading persons responsible for the compromise with Tone.