under her obedience. But her political, and civil constitution among them, was bad. We remember that act of amnesty, which bears, that they should no more be condemned to afflictive pains, upon the informed conscience of the governour. We have often seen people asking privileges. Here, the sovereign is pleased to grant the common right of all nations.'
During this oppression, it was common to condemn multitudes to the galleys, for frivolous offences, that they might purchase their liberty at a high price; and it is hardly possible to conceive greater barbarity, than what these islanders now endured.
The Genoese sent to Corsica a commissary general, or governour over the whole island; whose office continued for two years. He was generally a nobleman of desperate fortune, who by shameful extortions, returned home in opulence; and by his interest in the senate, prevented any inquiry being made into his conduct. For although the unhappy Corsicans offered many complaints to the republick, they were instantly stifled; which was not difficult to do, as the Corsicans were considered to be so turbulent and mutinous, that no administration could please them; and as every senatour who was to give his vote, did not know, but
