ABSTRACT
Signatures were being gathered for the National Petition; “National Rent” was being raised for the Convention’s expenses; and plans were being completed for the Convention’s coming together in the capital almost simultaneously with Parliament. Often the Chartist “constituencies” had the further task of completing internal arrangements to raise the money necessary for sending their Convention delegates to London and for maintaining them there afterwards. On March 18th the Convention itself became the scene of violent speech-making as discussion turned on a projected “Rural Police Bill,” whose remission to Parliament Chartists were expecting. On April 9th Delegate Richardson of Manchester had forced to the fore the burning question of the Chartist’s right to possess arms. Scholefield, J. Birmingham’s working classes, too, were of a Chartist temper which promised to give trouble if a Tory Home Office attempted strong measures. The Convention assembled in Birmingham, nevertheless, and continued with confidence its leadership of the Chartist agitation.
