The long-term threat

Napier kept adjusting his tactics as the danger of a general uprising seemed to recede and the longer-term work of building peace became more important. ¹ The rising that was scheduled for 6 May did not come to pass. The idea that violence would break out at the moment the Petition was presented was always more of an assumption among rank-and-file Chartists than a concerted plan by their leaders. When by coincidence Melbourne’s government resigned that day, the presentation of the Petition was in any case put off. ²