On June 27, 1894, Gandhi sent telegrams to Speaker of Natal Legislative Assembly, Prime Minister Robinson and Attorney-General Escombe, asking for postponement of consideration of Franchise Law Amendment Bill until an Indian petition was presented. Discussion of Bill was deferred by two days.  The next day, he submitted a petition signed by 500 Indians to Legislative Assembly, opposing the Bill and asking for a Commission of Enquiry.

On July 3, Gandhi led a deputation to the Natal Governor and urged him not to sanction the Franchise Bill which received third reading in Assembly.  A week later, he petitioned the Governor requesting postponement of dispatch of the Bill to the Imperial Government for Royal assent, pending Indian petition to the latter.  On July 17, 1894, he submitted lengthy mass petition signed by 10,000 Indians to Natal Government (addressed to Lord Ripon, Secretary of State for Colonies).