Letters by archpriest S. Cassar to his village commanders during the French occupation of Gozo

Abstract

The aim of this research, and its subsequent publication was to register as much as possible a complete list of letters written by Archpriest S. Cassar and his fellow village Gozo Commanders, that have come to light as of today. Letters to or by M. Hasciac/Or G. Grima LLD, Commanders of Zebbug, Dr F Pace LLD, Commander of Rabat, and Liberato Grech Commander of Caccia, feature prominently, but there must have been also letters to the other Commanders, which so far have not yet been traced. From these letters we are able to understand the great difficulties Archpriest S. Cassar and his Commanders had to face. They show him as an able Administrator, involved in the exercise of discipline, raising of money for the 'Cassa Commune', the buying of supplies and wheat from Sicily, the distribution of bread and wheat, combatting division in Gozo 'Francophiles', and his historic meeting with Nelson on board the Vanguard, discussing terms for the eventual capitulation of the French occupation forces. From all this Archpriests, Cassar emerges as a National Hero.