Frank P. Walsh (1864-1939), was an American lawyer and political reformer. He was one of the chief architects of the legislative struggle against industrial exploitation of children and an advocate of Irish and anti-imperialist causes. He also fought for civil liberties and was a labour partisan and staunch New Dealer. Walsh was a member of the Irish-American delegation (along with Michael J. Ryan and Edward F. Dunne) who were appointed to represent Ireland at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919. On 10 April 1919 the delegation arrived in Paris. The men returned to America in July 1919 where Walsh began working with the Dail External Loan (Bond Drive). William Bourke Cockran (1854-1922) was born in Sligo. He completed his education in Summerhill college, Sligo and the Marist College in Lille, France. In 1871 Cockran immigrated to America. While working as a teacher he studied law at night. In 1876 he passed the bar; he practiced in Mount Vernon for two years before moving to New York to practice law. His legal career was constrained by an interest in politics. In 1903 Cockran returned to Ireland and was made a freeman of the borough of Sligo, at this time he was a vigorous supporter of Home Rule. Cockran protested against the execution of the leaders of the 1916 Rising, and also condemned the introduction of martial law in Ireland in 1919. In December 1919, while working on the Dail Eireann Bond Certificates and Bond Drive he called for formal American recognition of the Irish Republican Government. This letter mentions two acts passed in the Dáil with regards to the issuing of bonds. State chairmen are instructed to open bank accounts in Eamon De Valera's name. All money raised in the bond drive is to be placed into these bank accounts. Only when the money have been deposited and verified will certificates be issued.