Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

years, and was only terminated by an insidious peace, and the final banishment of the whole race to the African shores.

The present commerce of Malaga is very flourishing. The peace with England has opened a vent for its commodities, which has been improved with great assiduity. The exports of wines and fruits during the last year, amounted nearly to three times as much as in any preceding year; and as the commercial laws of Spain are less strictly obeyed here than at Cadiz, where the attention of the Junta is more immediately called to them, they have had their commerce less restricted.

[ocr errors]

In all periods the trade to America from Malaga was much less extensive than from Cadiz, but, in proportion to its extent, of far more benefit to the country; because, eleven parts in twelve of its exports consist of native productions; whereas at Cadiz, the goods imported from foreign countries constitute rather more than three-fifths of its exports. Malaga may, in point of commercial consequence, be considered as the third port in Spain; Cadiz has been very far before every other at all periods; Barcelona follows; and then this city. But one singular difference exists between them: the exports in this place exceed the imports, because there is much to part with, and few wants to be supplied. But at Cadiz, Barcelona, Coruña, St. Andero, and even Alicant, the imports from America have every year exceeded the exports.

I have already mentioned those articles which constitute the principal foundations of the commerce of this place, and may be properly called raw materials; but there are several manufactured articles exported hence, which are made in this city and in Granada.

The flax and hemp grown here are remarkably good, and a considerable quantity of linen and sail-cloth is sent to the colonies. The silk in this part of the country is manufactured into sattins, velvets, taffetas, ribbons, and silk stockings, (principally at Granada indeed,) for home consumption, and some part is exported. There are also manufactories of paper, leather, soap, hats, tapes, and woollen cloths, but all on a small scale.

The port of Malaga is very good for shipping; and within the last thirty years an additional mole has been constructed, which incloses on three sides one of the best artificial harbours in the world : it is not large, but there is sufficient depth of water for a ship of the line, which may lie close to the pier. The fishermen are very skilful in the management of their boats; they form a numerous body; and if the French take the place, they, as well as the other mariners, will be made subservient to the aggrandizement of the naval power of Buonaparte.

There are no regular troops in this town, but the duty of the garrison is performed by volunteers, who are well armed and disciplined; and, whatever may be the disposition of their leaders, as resolutely disposed to resist the invader as any portion of the Spanish people.

General Blake, who has so much distinguished himself, is a native of this city, though of Irish extraction, and his amiable lady and family are now here, while he is arranging an army in Catalonia. He is highly respected by all the inhabitants, and his family, as they deserve to be, beloved by every one. They have lately returned from England, where they were highly gratified by their

H H

reception. This name recalls to my mind an anecdote of the celebrated Admiral Blake, who commanded the fleet of England during the usurpation of Cromwell.

peace,

The Admiral lay before Malaga, and, it being time of permitted some of his sailors to go on shore. They met the procession of the host, and, instead of falling on their knees, laughed at it, which irritated one of the priests, who instigated the people to punish them severely. They complained to their Admiral, who instantly sent on shore and demanded of the Governor that the priest should be sent to him. The Governor replied, that he had no authority over the Clergy. Upon which the English Admiral informed the Governor, that he was unacquainted with the limits of his authority; but, that if the priest were not sent on board in three hours he would destroy the town. The priest was, in consequence of this menace, put into the power of Blake, who reprimanded him for his conduct; which he justified on the ground of the provocation his Religion had received. Blake admitted the force of the apology, and said," had you applied to me I would have punished the offenders; but I will have all the world know, that none but an Englishman shall punish an Englishman." He then sent the priest on shore, satisfied with having asserted the dignity of his country.

During the few days we have spent in Malaga we have received the most flattering attentions, and the warmest hospitality, and we shall leave it with very considerable regret; a regret that is increased by the expectation, that the late disastrous events will soon overwhelm with ruin these worthy people. The more intelligent

anticipate this calamity; and one person told me privately, that he feared we were the last Englishmen who would visit Malaga. The timidity of the higher orders will instigate them to surrender; but the vengeful feelings of the more numerous classes will lead to every disorder as the French approach; and, after the loss of many lives, they will probably retire to the mountains, and watch for opportunities to avenge themselves and their country.

[merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small]

MANUFACTURE OF SUGAR · GROWTH OF THE SUGAR CANE · ITS CULTIVATION OF VERY ANTIENT DATE.

VELEZ, JAN. 1810.

THE inhabitants of Malaga before the year 1804 amounted to about 75,000, but in that fatal year the population of all the places on the coast of the Mediterranean suffered severely by an epidemic fever, which swept away the people by thousands. And the towns through which I have passed from Gibraltar to this place lost from one-third to one-quarter of their inhabitants. I was favoured with a list of those persons who died at Malaga in consequence of this fever; but it is singular, that, in the convent of Capuchins, the friars of which were employed in attending the sick, the only persons who died were one clerical and two lay brothers, though the numbers in that convent amounted to between ninety and one hundred. I wished to ascertain the cause of this fact, but, as it was regarded as a miracle, all enquiries upon the subject proved fruitless.

« AnteriorContinuar »