Page:An Account of Corsica (1769).djvu/142

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.
132
AN ACCOUNT

Corsicans, they would very willingly make him king.

Upon this he, without loss of time, set fail and landed at Tavagna in spring, 1736. He was a man of a very {lately appearance; and the Turkish dress which he wore, added to the dignity of his mien. He had a few attendants with him. His manners were so engaging, and his offers so plausible, that he was proclaimed king of Corsica, before count Rivarola's dispatches arrived to inform the chiefs of the terms upon which he had agreed. He brought with him about a thousand zechins of Tunis, besides some arms and ammunition, and made magnificent promises of foreign assistance; so that the Corsicans, who were glad of any support, willingly gave into his schemes; and it must be considered, that there could be no great harm in allowing a man the name of king, since they had always the power of restraining his authority.

Theodore assumed every mark of royal dignity. He had his guards, and his officers of state. He conferred titles of honour, and he struck money, both of silver and copper. The silver pieces were few in number, and can now hardly be met with. I have one of his copper coins, on one side of it is 'T. R. (Theodorus Rex) King Theo