THE FALMOUTH MUTINY OF 1810. 361 



complained that the magistrates had shown no proper anxiety to 

 secure the ringleaders ; and there is little room for doubting, 

 that not only the magistrates, but the whole town of Falmouth, 

 sympathised with the seamen ; and, if they did not openly help 

 them, were yet unwilling to take side against them. On the 

 morning of the 28th, Capt. Slade urged the mayor to call in 

 military aid, and to forcibly enter the houses of the ringleaders, 

 to secure their persons. At noon he left the mayor in the belief 

 that both his proposals had been accepted, but the suggestion 

 of search warrants was quietly dropped, and though a body of 

 West Esses Militia were summoned, they did not enter the town 

 till six o'clock, while at four o'clock the sailors marched in 

 large parties, quite unmolested, into the open country. 



In the meantime, two cutters, sent by Sir Eobert Calder, 

 had arrived in the harbour, and were placed under the command 

 of Capt. Slade. The West Essex Militia were quartered in 

 town, and a Sergeant's Guard was located in Flushing. 



It is now necessary to return to the delegates, chosen by the 

 seamen to represent their grievances at the General Post Office. 

 Mr. Saverland had been careful to acquaint his chiefs with the 

 fact of their departure, and had despatched an express for that 

 purpose, which, outstripping the coach, reached London on the 

 morning of the 29th October. A consultation was at once held, 

 as to how Pascoe and Parker should be received. It seemed to 

 the strict disciplinarians of that day impossible to countenance 

 an act of mutiny, by parleying with these men. Whatever 

 foundation of justice there might be in their complaints, 

 it was essential that the sailors should return to their duty before 

 any discussion could take place. It was therefore suggested to 

 the Admiralty, that Pascoe and Parker should be impressed as 

 soon as they arrived ; and having obtained the necessary instruc- 

 tions to the Regulating Officer at the Tower, and had the warrant 

 backed by the Lord Mayor, whose authority was required before 

 the men could be pressed within the limits of the city, the chiefs 

 of the General Post Office awaited the coming of the delegates 

 with confidence. They arrived late on the afternoon of the 29th, 

 and were ushered into the room, where the Secretary sat, 

 expecting them, in company with the City Marshall. Their 



