[8] The proposal was made in the context of British efforts to alleviate the Great Famine of Ireland whilst also trying to subdue the Irish rebellion of 1848[10] and declining support for the practice in Australia.

[6] In March 1849 the Cape Town newspaper ‘Commercial Advertizer’ published news of The Neptune's expected arrival and purpose, which was confirmed by Governor Smith after he had received official dispatches about the new scheme.

[8][7] Multiple councilors and notable business people who were involved in discussions to supply the ship were attacked and had their property looted and destroyed by angry mobs.

[7] On 4 July 1849 a large multi-racial, multi-ethnic crowd gathered outside the Commercial Exchange on Heerengracht Street in Cape Town.

John Fairbairn was elected as the Anti-Convict Committee's secretary, he was later assaulted in his Green Point home, allegedly by government agents.

The situation became desperate when Governor Smith ordered a local businessman and British army captain, Robert Stanford, to provide provisions to the ship causing a standoff.