342
POST-CAPTAINS OF 1801.
but to prevent their return to France: for it would be an everlasting stain on Catalonia, were she to permit those monsters who have plundered and ravaged her cities and cottages for more than two years, to repass in tranquillity the Pyrennean mountains, that barrier given by the Almighty to Spain. It remains now for me to congratulate your Excellencies on the present promising and happy change in affairs, and I have the honor to be, &c. &c.
(Signed)“George Mundy.”
“To the Junta of Mataro.”
“Hydra, off Badalona, Aug. 6, 1809.
“Sir.– I have long refrained from making any remarks on the treatment of the people of Badalona, trusting that the just representations of those appointed by law as the heads of the village, had been listened to by the Junta of Mataro, and their sufferings alleviated. However, observing no symptom of change in their favour, but on the contrary, that every day brings forth some fresh mark of severity towards that unfortunate people, I am inclined to suspect that this must arise from wrong and invidious representations having been made of their conduct. Under such conviction, therefore, I take upon me to address you on this interesting subject; and first, will state, that my opinion of the zeal and conduct of the people of Badalona is even better than when I last had the honor to address you respecting them and the then officiating Baillic. When you appointed the present heads of the village, you promised that the people should have a sufficiency to live upon, the Baillie being ordered to give permits according to the necessities of the inhabitants. This has not been the case, for the guard at Mongat have generally scrupled to allow what was granted by the permit to pass, and have actually refused more than sixty-four loaves to go in a day. I shall ask, Sir, whether any man can put his hand upon his heart, and declare upon his honor, that he considers that quantity a sufficiency for the families contained in the village of Badalona, consisting of near six hundred houses ? You require the Badalonians to furnish boats for letters, despatches, or any thing that may occur for the public service, and this, without allowing sufficient to eat. I only ask, is it justice to starve them ? You require the Simotines of Badalona to leave the advanced post on the river Besos, where they are stationed between the enemy and their own houses, families, and every thing that is dear to them, and order them to serve two miles in the rear, without placing others to occupy a post one foot in advance towards the enemy from Badalona. Yes, I know that for a few days a picquet was placed in open day on this side of the river; and one of those picquets, composed of the inhabitants of Mataro, left that post, made use of their arms to force the people of Badalona to embark and convey them on board his Britannic Majesty’s ship under my command, under the impudent pretence of having business with me. A becoming substitute for the hardy and vigilant Badalonians, who, night and day watched on the other side of the river, and under the very walls of the citadel of St. Carlos. Had I acted with half the military severity towards them that the unfortunate Badalonians have met with, for wishing to remain the advanced guard, I should have sent the