Baron de Camin was a French public speaker with a particular dislike for Catholicism.  A previous trip to Wakefield in 1856 had come to nothing as he had been unable to pay for the use of the Music Saloon in Wood Street to give his talk and the keeper had thrown him out.
 

In 1862 his return was announced through handbills advertising his talks in the Theatre Royal.   News of the large crowds of Irish residents which suddenly appeared on Westgate may well have intimidated the speaker, for he arrived in the town several days late and went straight to the Mayor to ask for protection.   Despite warnings from Fr Baron of St Austin's that disturbances may result, the Mayor decided it was Baron de Camin's right to speak and granted him the protection he saught.

Subsequently Camin arrived at the Theatre Royal prepared to speak, only to find it surrounded by angry crowds, consisting largely of Irishmen.  In order to ensure the safety of the building, the theatre's agent refused admission and Camin was locked out.  The presence of a number of policemen, sent by the mayor who suspected trouble, was all that prevented Camin being assaulted by the mob.  They rescued him and escorted him home.

The following Tuesday, permission was requested to lecture in the Corn Exchange, but this was refused.  Instead the Baron arranged to speak at the Royal Hotel and by 6.00pm a crowd of around 1000 had gathered beneath the balcony to hear what he had to say.