But the republic of Genoa was now long past her prime, and her energies were fading into senility; and, had it not been for the ever-increasing assistance of France, her intrepid foes would long ere this have got the better of her.
In May, 1768, a treaty was signed between Genoa and France, by which the republic ceded her now enfeebled claims on Corsica to her ally, and left her long-oppressed victim to fight the contest out with the French troops.
During this time, first Gaffori, then Pasquale Paoli, were the leaders of the people. Gaffori, a man of refinement, and a hero of skill and intrepidity, was murdered in a vendetta in 1753, and in 1755 Pasquale, youngest son of the old patriot Hyacinth Paoli, left his position as officer in the Neapolitan service, and landed, by the general desire of his own people, at Aleria, to undertake the command of the Corsican army.
Pasquale was quite a young man at this time, but was well known to be a highly educated student of no mean abilities, and a soldier who had served with distinction in foreign active service.
He did not confine his services to the military affairs of his country, but endeavoured to put a stop to that terrible internal scourge, the vendetta, which was ruining a noble people.
Notwithstanding that he was now and then harassed by opposition from one or two of the inland nobles, he continued his good work, and effected many domestic reforms, at the same time that he fitted out a Corsican fleet, and successfully resisted the French attacks.
From 1764 to 1768 a truce was concluded between the foes; and this time Paoli spent in preparations for future emergencies, and in a wise consolidation of the independent constitution of his country.
Militia were trained and banded, schools established, and crime punished; and law and order, under the wise administration of this great man, began everywhere to prevail.
In August, 1768, the truce was to expire; but, before the appointed day had arrived, an army of twenty thousand French suddenly swooped down upon the luckless island, and endeavoured by sheer force of numbers to crush out resistance at once and for ever.
It was a hopeless struggle for Corsica; but the heroism of the undaunted people moved all Europe to sympathy.