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372 in every part of His Majesty's dominions every principle of division.

"In this situation it is His Majesty's pleasure that your Excellency should use your utmost endeavours to learn the true motives of the Court of France taking a step in regard to Corsica, which for forty years past they have never ventured upon, though as far as regards Genoa it has been equally in their power; as well as to know the real object the Duke of Choiseul has in view: whether this has been upon a settled plan of the Court of France, or is a measure of the Duke of Choiseul's own, relying upon the reports he may have heard of party divisions, or the opinion he may have conceived of the unconnected state of England.

"In the meantime I am to acquaint your Excellency that nothing could surprise His Majesty more than the idea mentioned by your Excellency, 'que nous étions un peu adoucis sur cette affaire,' His Majesty's opinion having been always the same upon it."

Choiseul, on being informed of the tenour of the despatch, exclaimed, "Nous voilà à la guerre," but finding that this theatrical exhibition produced no effect he adopted a more serious tone. He told Rochfort that the king his master, as well as himself, was mortified beyond measure to find England had a mind to make Corsica a pretext for beginning a war, but that if England was really determined upon it, France could not possibly decline the challenge, for she could not retract what she had done in Corsica. He then endeavoured to defend himself against the accusation Shelburne had made against him of his conduct being contrary to his professions, as well as to the pacific principles supposed to be dear to his Court. To the first charge he answered, that when Rochfort first mentioned the affair of Corsica to him in March, the resolution to invade the island was indeed already taken, but