Page:An Account of Corsica (1769).djvu/133

 The Genoese at first endeavoured to overcome the Corsicans by the sole force of the republick; but finding themselves altogether unable for it, while the Corsicans were every day growing stronger, cutting to pieces the poor reinforcements of Genoese troops, and thereby supplying themselves with more arms; the republick was under the necessity of seeking foreign assistance.

They applied to the emperour, Charles the sixth, who sent to Corsica, a body of auxiliaries, under the command of general Wachtendonck. These harrassed the island, without being powerful enough to overawe it. They had continual rencounters with the Corsicans, who, in one action, killed 1200 of them. The emperour then sent a strong army of Germans, with the prince of Wirtemberg at their head. The Corsicans were not in condition to resist such a force. They laid down their arms, upon condition that a treaty should be made between them and the Genoese, having for guarantee the emperour.

To this the republick having acceded, the Corsicans consented that their three chiefs, together with Signor Aiteili, a pievano of great influence, should go to Genoa as hostages.