The Mob of Port Santa Maria seized on Dupont's baggage, for the Generals and Juntas may make Conventions as they please, but the People is the only _real Power_ at the present moment, and they will observe as much of them as they like. On breaking open the Trunks they were found to be filled with plunder--Church Plate mostly--but everything that was gold or silver was acceptable. I went to see it yesterday at the Custom House, and an immense quantity of it there was--from a silver Toy to the Crown of Thorns which they had torn from the head of Jesus Christ. I heard at first that the mob had been raised against the French by the black servant of a Frenchman having part of the robe of a Bishop for his dress, but this was not the case. The black man had the Bishop's Cross hung with a chain of gold round his neck--it was of large amethysts and diamonds worth about 2000 pounds. Dupont was so very silly as to write to the Governor complaining of the people who had _robbed_ him, saying that he felt sensibly for the honour of Spain and desired that his "property" might be returned to him. He had nothing but those trunks of plundered silver! Collingwood's own reception by the Spanish people afforded a remarkable instance of the estimation in which he was held and the extraordinary recognition of his integrity even by a lawless, unreasoning mob. John Stanhope, some years afterwards, recorded:-- "When, at an earlier period of the war, our expedition under the command of General Spencer appeared off Cadiz, there prevailed so great a jealousy against the English Army that the authorities refused to allow them to land. "Such, however, was not the case with Lord Collingwood when he appeared with his fleet. "He was received by high and low with the greatest enthusiasm. A publick fête was given to him, and my brother William who accompanied him on shore described the scene as one of the most striking sights he ever witnessed. One only feeling seemed to pervade the immense crowd of all ranks assembled to receive the Admiral, the desire of showing their respect and admiration for his character. What a triumph for one who, in the hour of victory, had succeeded to the command of a fleet that had annihilated the Spanish Navy, and since that time had been constantly blockading their coasts! But what must have been Lord Collingwood's feelings _when the only pledge required before they permitted an English force to land in a place of so much importance, was his word of honour!_ They felt in him a confidence which they denied to our Government."