358 THE FALMOUTH MUTINY OF 1810. 



The Post Office took the not unnatural view, that the 

 question of increasing the wages of the seamen was one for 

 the consideration solely of the captains, who received a fixed 

 yearly payment from the office, and might distribute it, within 

 certain limits, as they pleased. There was, moreover, some 

 intention of re-opening the question of the private trade, and 

 of obtaining legal sanction for it, on the condition, that a certain 

 portion of the profits should be appropriated by the department. 

 Both these considerations led to some delay in dealing with the 

 memorial. 



On the 24th August, the seamen returned in a large body to 

 'the Agent's office, and enquired whether there was any answer 

 to their memorial. On being told that none had been received, 

 they dispersed quietly. Mr. Saverland, in reporting the matter 

 to London, stated, that he did not apprehend any disturbance, 

 but thought that if the position of the men was not in some way 

 improved, many of them would leave the service. 



It was finally resolved to obtain the material for a full 

 comparison between the wages paid to the seamen serving on the 

 packets, and those employed in the Navy and the Revenue 

 service. With some care, the comparison was made ; and it 

 resulted, that the seamen on the packets were somewhat better 

 paid than those in the navy. It did not of course follow from 

 this that the wages were sufficient, but it could not be expected 

 that a public department would pay more than the current rate 

 of wages. 



It was early in October when this conclusion was reached ; 

 and though it was of course not acceptable to the sailors, it 

 seems possible that a contented feeling would have sprung up 

 again. At this moment, however, the smouldering discontent 

 was blown up into a fierce fire by the action of the customs 

 officers. 



The " Prince Adolphus," Capt. Boulderson, was announced 

 to sail on Oct. 24th, for the Mediterranean ; and at noon on that 

 day, her crew was mustered, the mails and passengers were on 

 board, and the packet was ready to slip from her moorings. 

 The " Duke of Marlborough," Capt. Bull, was to sail in company 

 with her for Lisbon. At the last moment, the customs officer 



