THE FALMOUTH MUTINY OF 1810. 363 



and reports. People went about with a very uncomfortable 

 suspicion that something was about to happen ; and Mr 

 Saverland's office was beseiged by persons, anxiously enquiring 

 whether it was true that the government had decided to remove 

 the packets to Plymouth. Mr. Saverland had received no hint 

 of any such intention ; but, seeing how great an effect the very 

 suggestion had produced, he dilated on the extreme probability 

 of such a step ; and protested, that the conduct of the Falmouth 

 seamen, and the almost avowed sympathy shewn them by the 

 constituted authorities of the town, had brought him, and their 

 chiefs also, to the extreme limit of their patience. 



The situation thus created was, as the mayor immediately 

 felt, too serious to be ignored. The loss of the packets would 

 bring ruin on the town; and on the 30th Oct. a meeting of the 

 burgesses was hastily convened, and the whole situation was 

 discussed. 



There is perhaps some room for doubt whether the naval 

 officers and the agent, on whom the chief burden of respon- 

 sibility fell, throughout these anxious days, did not overrate the 

 extent to which the mayor and magistrates supported and 

 encouraged the mutineers. It is certain, however, that on the 

 very day on which the town's meeting was held, the aspect of 

 affairs began to improve, and that evening Mr. Saverland was 

 able to report to London, that some men were already returning 

 to their duty. On the following day (the 31st Oct.) the upward 

 tendency was more marked ; and it was intimated to the Agent 

 that the greater part of the men would return if they could be 

 assured that they would be well received, and would not be 

 abandoned to the press-gang. Mr. Saverland at once caused a 

 notice to be printed and distributed, promising protection to all 

 men who would return, except four or five, who were specially 

 named, and who had distinguished themselves by particularly 

 riotous conduct. This notice had a excellent effect, and on the 

 evening of the day on which it was issued, there was a full 

 muster of men on board all the packets. 



The mischief was, however, done. The threatening aspect of 

 the mutiny, and the impossibility of despatching the mails, had 

 caused an amount of anxiety and alarm which was not to be 

 allayed by the simple announcement that the men had returned 



