During eight
years he had perseveringly maintained the conflict--during eight
years he had been the ruler of Corsica, but immovable in his
republican principles; he had rejected the title of king, which the
Corsican people, grateful for the services rendered to their
fatherland, had offered him. He had been satisfied to be the first
and most zealous servant of the island, which, through his efforts,
had been liberated from the tyrannical dominion of Genoa. But
Genoa's appeal for assistance had brought French troops to Corsica;
the Genoese, harassed and defeated everywhere by Paoli's brave
troops, had finally transferred the island to France. This was not
what Paoli wanted--this was not for what he had fought!
Corsica was to be a free and independent republic; she was to bow no
more to France than to Genoa; Corsica was to be free.
In vain did the French government make to General Paoli the most
brilliant offers; he rejected them; he called the Corsicans to the
most energetic resistance to the French occupation; and when he saw
that opposition was in vain, that Corsica had to submit, he at least
would not yield, and he went to England.
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