an amnesty, and even to place themselves once more under the dominion of Genoa, expressly ftipulating however,

1. That the more odious imposts should be abolished;

2. That the Corficans fhould have a right to fill all dignities and honours, whether ecclefiaftical or civil, in the fame manner as the other fubjects of the republic;

3. That the command of the ports of Baftia and Ajaccio fhould be conferred on natives;

4. That the Corfican nobles fhould be treated at Genoa in the fame manner as thofe of the other dominions of the republic, and that there fhould be a Corfican refident there, empowered to present to the fenate the complaints and petitions of all those who might fuffer from oppreffion.

After the proclamation of thefe preliminaries, to the due obfervance of which both Corficans and Genoefe fwore in the most folemn manner, the Imperial troops evacuated the island. But the government of Genoa did not long obferve the agree ment into which it had entered, for it now began, as heretofore, to display all the rigour of its dominion; while the islanders, its fubjects, obeyed, as of old, with a most unconquerable reluctance. In fhort, the former treated the Corficans like a conquered people, and even arrefted the very deputies with whom. they had fo lately entered into a negociation. Three of these were put to death; the reft were fent first to Bastia, afterwards to Genoa, and laftly to the fortrefs of Savona.

This infamous proceeding, in direct violation of every idea of public juftice, occafioned confiderable noife, and the natives were irritated to fuch a degree, that they betook themselves once more to arms, in order to avenge fuch an atrocious injury. His Imperial majefty also, under whofe express mediation the late pacification had been concluded, deemed his honour hurt

manque bien souvent eft plus odieufe et plus a charge, que les impôts memes; qu'elle apprenne, que la crainte eft un mauvais garant, qu'on haît tous ceux que l'on craint, et qu'on fouhaite de voir périr tous ceux que l'on haît: mais que l'humanité, la droiture la bonne foi, et un vigilance attentive au bonheur des peuples, font la fureté, et le plus ferme appuï de l'autorité du fouverain; car lors qu'on fait violence à la taifon, le courage ne manque jamais de bras pour fa propre défence.'

upon this occafion, and determined to interfere in their behalf, It was in confequence of the events thus briefly recapitulated, that the history of Baron de Newhoff becomes connected with that of these celebrated iflanders.

The Baron, better known afterwards under the name of Theodore, was now, as we have already obferved, in the service of the emperor, and feems to have acted in a diplomatic capacity under that monarch. It was in his Imperial majesty's name that he releafed fuch of the deputies as had not yet been murdered from prifon; it was alfo in his name, and under his fanction, that he reproached the Genoefe for their rapacity, perfidy, and injuftice. Such was the zeal and ardour difplayed by him upon this occafion, that his merits foon became familiar to, and refpected by, the oppreffed natives. They were highly gratified at finding a generous defender in the perfon of the Imperial minifter; and after having profited in the first instance by his intervention, began to look forward to him as a future deliverer. At length some of the principal nobles repaired fecretly to Florence, in order to teftify their gratitude, found his inclinations, and folicit his advice. The deputies foon difcovered, that to an ardent mind, Theodore joined a romantic spirit of enterprize, and evinced a genius capable of embracing great objects.

He remarked to them, at the first interview, that the late pacification was fallacious on the part of Genoa, and that the latter had injured the Corficans too much ever to forgive them. He recapitulated the history of that state, celebrated, as he said, only on account of its crimes; its glory and greatness, according to him, had originated, and were fupported, by robbery, treachery, and affaffination. He concluded by obferving, that having hitherto become the prey of all the furrounding nations, their only refource was in a total change of condition and fituation; that they ought therefore to form a plan of government in conformity to their inclinations and interests, and either proclaim a republic, or elect a king: this was the fole refource he was capable of fuggefting, in order to enfure a durable and folid tranquillity.

Το

To this difcourfe the deputies replied with many fighs, that they were but too well acquainted with the juftice of his excellency's remarks, and that the ftate of their affairs was truly fad and deplorable, their lives and fortunes being entirely at the mercy of their tyrants, whofe yoke was intolerable. They added, that being unable any longer to fupport fuch a series of oppreffions, they had determined to burst their fetters; but that it was neceffary they should have at their head a man calculated from his birth to enfure refpect, and capable to guide their cfforts by means of his talents, all their former revolutions having proved abortive in confequence of this neglect. They then concluded by faying, "that they had caft their eyes towards him, and therefore fupplicated his excellency to undertake fo glorious an enterprize, which would excite the applause and gratitude, not only of the prefent age, but alfo of pofterity "Become then our deliverer! (exclaimed they) and receive a crown by way of recompenfe."

The Baron, who was a man of an ardent temperament, and fighed after an opportunity of diftinguishing himself, at length beheld the happy period arrive. He, however, at first refused his affent, but was at length prevailed upon to accede to their repeated entreaties, on condition that they should return home, and obtain the confent of the nation.

In the mean time, the Baron de Newhoff hearing that the number of his partifans increafed daily, began to found the neighbouring courts, with his ufual adroitnefs, relative to the deplorable state of Corfica. He foon difcovered, that the emperor, France, Spain, and the princes of Italy, were not difpofed to countenance any innovations relative to that island. He was not, however, difcouraged by obstacles which to other men would have appeared infurmountable; on the contrary, his courage and ambition, inftead of being repreffed, feemed to receive fresh animation from the difficulties that interpofed. With him, as with many others, a crown appeared to be the fummit of human felicity. There was nothing which he was not ready to facrifice for it; and of the multitude who have afpired to the fupreme command, and been elevated from the ob

3

fcurity

fcurity of private life to the splendour of a throne, few perhaps were better qualified, either by genius or attainments. Indeed, the first measure adopted by him during his new career demonstrated that he poffeffed confiderable diplomatic talents; and in this effential article at least he was admirably fitted for the fituation which fortune had fo unexpectedly thrown in his way.

A lucky conjunction of circumstances at length proved favourable to his defigns; and he had the good fenfe to perceive and avail himself of it. The emperor, in whofe fervice he still was, and whose subject he might yet be accounted, although averfe to the recent conduct of the Genoese respecting Corfica, was indifpofed, as we have already hinted, to behold quietly, far lefs to countenance, any fudden change in the government of that ifland. The recent rupture, however, between the Turks and Ruffia, with the latter of which his Imperial majefty had formed an alliance, and in whofe favour he had determined to declare, rendered his neutrality on this occafion a neceffary event; while the new afpect of affairs encouraged the hopes of fuccour in another quarter.

In fhort, the Ottoman Porte, partly out of hatred to the Genoese, partly from a jealoufy of the emperor, and partly in confequence of feparate defigns of its own, had long viewed the ftruggles of the brave Corficans with a friendly eye. Indeed, upon a former occafion, it had taken an active part in their behalf, and not only affifted the gallant Sampiero, one of the first of its chiefs that afpired to throw off the hated yoke of the Genoese, with a sum of money, but even enjoined the bey of Tunis to fupply him with arms and ammunition. The affaffination of that gallant leader by a hired ruffian, had for a time difcompofed its plans, but a more favourable opportunity was only wanting to bring them to maturity. This now presented itself.

The Baron, after weighing every thing maturely, embarked for Rodlofto, in Romagna, to confult the famous Rakoczy relative to his plans, and by his means to obtain the protection of the Porte. Rakoczy had been formerly prince of Transylva

nia, but he was defpoiled of his power by the emperor, against whom he had conceived the moft implacable hatred, and, after a variety of adventures, at last beheld himself reduced to the neceffity of retiring into Turkey, where he obtained an afylum, and even acquired a confiderable degree of credit. Newhoff, with his ufual adroitness, made ufe of the ruling paffion of his heart, to gain him over to his purpose. Well acquainted with his antipathy to the house of Auftria, he laid before him a plan calculated to annihilate its power. By this fcheme, which appears infinitely more vifionary at this period, than it was then, when the luftre of the crefcent remained undiminished, the Turk was to become master of Italy, and Corfica was to be converted into a rendezvous for the Moors of Tunis and Al

giers, whence they could difembark eafily, and without any risk, on the coafts of Genoa and Tufcany, while thofe of Tripoli were to land on the fhore of Calabria, and the muffulmen in the marche of Ancona*.

In short, while a road was opened into Germany on this fide, another route presented itself by Frioul into Stiria, and after traverfing Hungary, a junction was to be formed at the gates of Vienna, and the Ottoman ftandard once more planted there, with better prospects of fuccess than during the memorable incurfion of the vifir Kara Mustapha.

Rakoczy, enchanted with a plan which dazzled with its grandeur, and by prefenting an opportunity of vengeance, fed the mafter-paffion of his foul, addreffed himself inftantly to Of man Bacha, better known by the name of Count de Bonneval, who at that period enjoyed the confidence of the Grand Signior. This famous adventurer, who poffeffed a mind admirably calculated for lofty enterprises, recommended it to the divan, and it was determined, that the first step being to secure Corfica, the. Baron was to receive immediate affiftance, on condition of holding that island under the protection of the Porte. Accordingly, having repaired to Conftantinople, he was there furnished with

See Memoires de Corfe.

a large