By 13th July 1791 things were definitely hotting up in Birmingham. A number of handbills had been circulating, and those who had arranged the French Revolution Dinner published a statement in Aris's Gazette, above, stating their loyalty to the King and the English system. Graffiti could be found scrawled across walls;
Joseph Priestley was advised not to attend the dinner, in an attempt to calm the animosity, to which he agreed.