 The mass public meeting planned for 2 August was delayed until 9 August . The Manchester Observer reported it was called " to take into consideration the most speedy and effectual mode of obtaining Radical reform in the Common House of Parliament " and " to consider the propriety of the ' Unrepresented Inhabitants of Manchester ' electing a person to represent them in Parliament " . The magistrates , led by William Hulton , had been advised by the acting Home Secretary , Henry Hobhouse , that " the election of a Member of Parliament without the King 's writ " was a serious misdemeanour , encouraging them to declare the assembly illegal as soon as it was announced on 31 July . The radicals sought a second opinion on the meeting 's legality which was that " The intention of choosing Representatives , contrary to the existing law , tends greatly to render the proposed Meeting seditious ; under those circumstances it would be deemed justifiable in the Magistrates to prevent such Meeting . " 
