Page:An Account of Corsica (1769).djvu/150

 the Corsicans to obedience; and it was contrived with such address, as to appear done at the earnest desire of Genoa; though in reality, the republick had too recently experienced the danger of calling in the aid of a great state, to wish for a repetition of the fame expedient.

In the month of March, 1738, the count de Boisseux was sent with a detachment of French troops to Corsica. This general was a good officer, but of no great enterprise. He was attended on this expedition, by M. de Contades, since, mareschal of France, who commanded the French army, at the battle of Minden. After several conferences with the chiefs of the Corsicans, Giafferi and Paoli, with whom we may also mention Luca di Ornano, a collateral branch of the great family, which Sampiero di Bastelica formerly represented, M. de Boisseux finding that the Corsicans would not submit to their old oppressours, began his hostilities.

The people of Corsica remonstrated to his most Christian Majesty in a very affecting memorial, in which they enumerated at great length their grievances, and as France had formerly afforded them protection, they hoped she would not now compel them to yield to the worst of tyranny. To the memorial were subjoined articles