He died in 1786; and shortly afterwards the Revolution drew the two nations together, into relations which were at first friendly, and finally enthusiastic; so that, in the year 1789, Corsica, by her own desire, was incorporated in the new constitution of the French republic.
Clemens Paoli had remained in Italy; but, for twenty years, Pasquale had now eaten the bread of exile in London, when he was invited by his own people and by the French National Assembly to return to Corsica.
Made much of on his way through Paris by Robespierre and the leaders of the people, at Marseilles Paoli was welcomed by a Corsican deputation headed by young Napoleon Buonaparte and his brother Joseph.
Reaching his own island, he became President of the Assembly and General of the National Guard, but soon roused French suspicion in these capacities.
Paoli was no bonnet-rouge or regicide, and sympathizing, as he did, with the French republican constitution, he hated the crimes and extravagances of the French communists. This was soon discovered, and a report being promulgated that Paoli intended to alienate his country from France, he was summoned before a court of inquiry.
The result was party strife in every direction. The main body of Corsicans refused to consider their countryman guilty of high treason, whilst a few sided with France, and fighting soon broke out.
Paoli requested the assistance of the English, offering to place the island under their protection.
Admirals Hood and Nelson proceeded to Corsica, where they succeeded in completely routing the republicans, and in making themselves masters of the island.
After a good deal of misunderstanding, and some juggling on the part of the English, the Corsicans consented to be governed by a vice-royalty under Great Britain.
The whole island expected Paoli would be viceroy; instead of which, he was recalled in his old age from the country for which he had spent his whole life, and a stranger sent out in his place to govern his native land.