whole picquet under a guard to Mataro, as soldiers who had deserted their post.
“You have now disarmed the Simotines of Badalona, part of whom had been furnished with arms by Captain Taylor, my predecessor, who had the intelligence to see through the dark clouds of clamour and accusation against that unfortunate people, and to discover that they were not surpassed in zeal and patriotism by any of their neighbours[1]. By so doing you have deprived me of the only aid I possessed in the arduous task of blockading Barcelona, and defending the coast against the advances of the enemy, as you must be well aware that I have no assistance from the Spanish navy. Having stated these few instances of what appears to me to be bad policy; and having made these representations under a conviction that they are just and true, and for the good of the cause in which our two nations are mutually embarked; I beg to assure you, that there is nothing meant personally by ine, but that this letter is addressed to you as Supreme of the Junta of the district; and I have the honor to be, &c. &c.
“To the Supreme of the Junta of Mataro.”
Had Captain Mundy’s persevering exertions on this coast been met by a corresponding energy on the part of the Spanish leaders, and the enthusiastic spirit of the peasantry been directed by able and active commanders, there is little doubt that the French army would have been driven, out of Catalonia. But such was the apathy and inactivity of those in power, that although the manly appeal addressed to the Junta in the first of the preceding letters, was printed and circulated in the province with excellent effect, yet treachery thwarted, and incapacity paralysed, the ardent energies of the people, and General Lecchi was permitted to escape unmolested; nor was any attempt made on Barcelona, notwithstanding the garrison remaining in that city after his departure amounted to no more than 2500 men.
Mortified as he was at such imbecile conduct on the part of the allies, Captain Mundy was nevertheless indefatigable in his exertions; and by a spirited proclamation addressed to
- ↑ Captain Bridges Watkinson Taylor, of the Apollo frigate, was drowned in 1814, by the upsetting of his boat off Brindisi, in the Adriatic, where he had previously caused the destruction of the French frigate Uranie, by threatening to enter the harbour and attack her. His exemplary conduct and amiable character obtained him universal respect. He was the youngest brother of Major-General Sir Herbert Taylor, the present Military Secretary to H.R.H. the Duke of York.
