nine
o’clock
The absence of all preparations on the part of these poor Blanketeers was , in truth , very touching , as it showed the innocent confidence which they had in the justice of their contention . Their avowed object was to present a petition personally to the Prince Regent , that they might `` undeceive '' him ; as if such a thing were possible , or , being possible , would be of the slightest service . The whole country would rise and help them ; their journey would be a triumphal procession ; they were not a hostile army ; the women would come to the doors and offer them bread and milk ; they would reach London ; Lord Liverpool would resign ; and they would come back to Manchester with banners flying , having saved their country . At nine o'clock the club was in St. Peter 's fields , and a kind of platform had been erected , from which an address was to be given . Caillaud and the Major were down below . Both of them were aghast at what they saw . Thousands of men were present with whom they were unacquainted , who had been attracted by Ogden 's proclamation ; some with coats ; others without coats ; some with sticks ; some with petitions ; but most of them with blankets , which they had rolled up like knapsacks .