Three Letters on Corsica (1768)
In May of 1768, in the Public Advertiser, Oglethorpe published three letters on Corsica. That same year James Boswell reprinted them in his British Essays in Favour of the Brave Corsicans, identifying them, in his own copy, as Oglethorpe’s.1
To most Englishmen in 1768, Corsica was a romantic island where the virtues of the simple life of Nature held sway—and especially the love of liberty. It suddenly became an object of national concern because of James Boswell. From October 12 to November 20, 1765, Boswell made apparently the first visit of the century by an Englishman to the mountainous interior. There he came to know and admire Pascal Paoli and to appreciate the independent spirit of the Corsicans, who wished to free themselves from both Genoa and France. Boswell hoped to persuade, or force, the British Ministry to disclaim a proclamation of 1763 that condemned the Corsicans as rebels and threatened with the charge of treason any Briton who gave them assistance. Utilizing the newspapers to arouse initial interest in Corsica, he published, early in 1768, his Account of Corsica, The Journal of a Tour to that Island; and Memoirs of Pascal Paoli. Boswell’s book made the island an object of national concern, and Paoli a hero.
It also brought Boswell and Corsica to the attention of James Oglethorpe. As soon as he learned that the author was in London, Oglethorpe, in Boswell’s words, “did me the honour to call on me, and approaching me with a frank courteous air, said, ‘My name, Sir, is Oglethorpe, and I wish to be acquainted with you.’”2 In late April and May Boswell continued to call, apparently to discuss with Oglethorpe the letters that the general was writing for the Public Advertiser.3 For a while Oglethorpe became for Boswell almost a surrogate father. Their collaboration led to the most satisfying aspect of Oglethorpe’s later life: his friendship, through Boswell, with the most eminent and interesting literary men of London, such as Goldsmith and Johnson.4 It was perhaps Boswell’s encouragement also that led to Oglethorpe’s subsequent series of letters to the press: the Adams letters, the Faber letters, those supporting Lord North, and perhaps others yet unidentified.
In his three letters on Corsica Oglethorpe attempted to demonstrate the invalidity of British isolation of Corsica in the face of French oppression, and he concentrated upon the three issues that Joseph Foladare has named the most effective arguments for British intervention: “the commercial advantages of trade with Corsica, the threat to the balance of power in Europe resulting from French occupation of Corsica, and the consequent danger to all British commerce in the Mediterranean.”5
Oglethorpe’s praise of his first letter in his second, submitted under a different pseudonym, was merely indulging in the conventional practice of “puffing,” in which he had already engaged in the preface to A New and Accurate Account.
I reprint the Corsican letters as they appear in the Public Advertiser, with Boswell’s introductory paragraph.
To the Printer of the Public Advertiser.
SIR,
AS Corsica is now become an Object of serious Concern to this Nation, it is surely a Subject which should employ a Part of the Attention of your Political Correspondents, and well deserves a distinguished Place in every one of the public Papers of this great, free Country. I send you a Letter from Bristol, which you will see is the Production of no ordinary Writer. It contains strong Facts and solid Reasonings, with such Inferences as I apprehend ought somewhat to alarm such among us as look a little farther than the transient Riots of Home Faction. While we are occupied with intestine Cabals, France is steadily pursuing her enlarged Schemes of Tyranny. I should have made Copies of the enclosed for several of our News-papers; but I hope such of them as are animated with the Spirit of Liberty, will not scruple to transcribe from the Public Advertiser any masterly Essay of such a Tendency as this.
I am, SIR,
A Constant Reader.6
SIR.
Bristol, April 1768.
THE Paragraph in some of the News, that it is reported the French will send an Army to support the Genoese in subduing the Corsicans, hath struck the Trading Part of this City with Terror. We already feel the Loss of Trade by the French Encroachments since the Peace. If under Pretence of helping the Genoese, they should render themselves Masters of Corsica, we must be then totally cut out of the Mediterranean Trade: That Island commands the Coast of Italy and Straits of Bonifaccio, and with the Ports of Sicily, now in the Hands of the Family Contract,7 totally locks up the Passage to Turkey, and the East of Sicily. The Corsicans are excellent Corsairs; from them the very Name is derived: They would furnish Sailors, which the French Navy want in Time of War, and in Time of Peace. Corsica would give a great Vent to many of their Commodities, and their little Vessels be of great Use in conveying the French Manufactures to the Coast of Barbary, Italy, and the Levant. The Corsicans have Timber, and other Materials cheap, and therefore cheap Freight. The Inconvenience of letting that Island fall to the French is great; but it may be said, how can we hinder them from helping their Allies the Genoese? We answer, that by the Treaty of Peace the French are not to augment their Dominions,8 and by taking this Island they do so.
But the Frenchified Pensioner will say, they do not intend to take it, but only reduce the Rebel-Subjects of the Genoese to due Subjection to their Sovereign, the State of Genoa.—This is mere quibbling; Genoa itself is in Subjection to France. Do not the Kings of France, even from antient Times, claim Genoa? Did not Genoa in the late War take a Garrison from them? Let even the Frenchified Pensioner himself lay his Hand on his Heart, and ask himself the Question, if he thinks, on a new War’s happening, the Genoese would not again favour the Family Contract? He must own, he can’t deny that they would. Nay, indeed, they dare not refuse a French Garrison; but so far from refusing, they would beg one, as they did in the former War. It is therefore highly necessary to interfere in Time; but your Bourbonite Pensioner will cry aloud, that it is criminal to support Rebels. In Answer I say, I have not proposed to support Rebels, but only to hinder the French from augmenting their too formidable Monarchy with the Island of Corsica, which would in it’s Consequences enable France to drive our Squadrons out of the Mediterranean Seas.
But if I did propose the succouring the valiant Corsicans, I can justify that Proposition. No Englishman can deny that Sovereigns, as well as their Subjects, are bound by the Laws.
On that Maxim Queen Elizabeth acted when she assisted the Flemings and the Hollanders; and on the same the Kings and Parliaments of England acted when they, by continual Support for near a Century, at last enabled them to constitute the free State of the United Provinces;9 which State helped us to support the Balance of Europe, and maintain our own Liberties from French Slavery.
Did not Queen Elizabeth aid the City of La Rochele, and the Princes against the King of France?10
Did not Gustavus of Sweden help the People of Dantzick against the then King of Poland? and Dantzick is under the Polish Monarchy, but hath Privileges. Gustavus, on the Application of the Dantzickers, succoured them.11
Did not our late King, and the House of Brandenburg, interfere in protecting the People of Thorn against their Sovereign the King, and Republic of Poland?12
Did not the House of Austria support Saint ta Remo against these very Genoese, when they broke in upon their Privileges?13
The French cannot deny, that it is the Usage of every Sovereign Power in Europe to interfere in Support of the Privileges of their neighbouring People. It is according to the Law of Nature and Nations. If a neighbouring Prince turns a limited into a despotic Government, it affects all his Neighbours; for a limited Monarch cannot, by his Ambition, do so much Mischief to his Neighbours as when rendered despotic. The Privileges, and Power of his People, will hinder his entering into offensive Wars; but despotic Tyrants can use the whole Force of their People, to the Destruction of their Neighbours.
With what Face can the French object to our assisting the Corsicans against the Genoese, who have broke through all their Privileges, and all the Laws of Humanity; when the French Kings assisted the Catallans against Philip and the People of Messina; and the People of Naples against their undoubted Sovereigns the Kings of Spain? The French also assisted the Duke of Braganza to become King of Portugal. And have they not lately interfered and assisted the Magistrates (whose Term was expired) against the People of Geneva, who are the Sovereigns?14
I am, SIR,
Your humble Servant,
An ENGLISH MERCHANT.
To the Printer of the Public Advertiser.
SIR,
I SAW a letter from Bristol in your Paper of the 3d inst. which, with great Propriety and Spirit, demonstrates the Damage England would sustain from Corsica’s falling into the Hands, or under the Influence of France. That Letter has only showed the Damage to England; but this is far from being the greatest Evil which must follow such an Acquisition to France; it would justly alarm Mankind, for it must affect the Independency of every Sovereign in Europe, and facilitate the universal Monarchy which the House of Bourbon has so long pursued.
Your Bristol Correspondent hath demonstrated, that the Acquisition of Corsica will make France Mistress of the Mediterranean; now from thence follows that France, being safe on that Side, will be able to double her Efforts against Germany and Holland.
The Diversions caused by our Fleets aiding in the Attacks on Thoulon, have more than once distracted the Arms of France, and made abortive her ambitious Projects; but the Acquisition of Corsica will for ever make her safe in that most tender Part.
The Strength for Defence of the Coasts of Provence and Languedoc, and the Squadron at Thoulon, is always computed in the State of France at 60,000 Men; but after this Event 7,000 would be more than sufficient for that Service; so they might have 53,000 Men more to assist in destroying Germany.
Europe felt too fatally in the late War the cruel Impressions the French Forces made in the Empire; and had 53,000 Men been added to their Army, the Consequence would probably have been very dreadful.
Not only Germany, but Holland would soon feel the Effect attending the Encrease of French Power; for if the Mediterranean were theirs, the Dutch must hold their Trade to Turkey, Italy, and the Levant, at the precarious Will of a French Minister, and not only their Foreign Trade, but their Liberty and Independency would be in the greatest Danger.
Should France once feel that she hath an absolute Superiority in Germany (which we have above shown, Success in this Measure will give her) she would then no Doubt display her Moderation.
Denmark also, whose Commerce by her Monarch’s Attention to it is greatly encreased, will be affected in Point of her Trade; so will Sweden, Hamborough much more. Venice will be rendered entirely dependent on the French, when they have a decided Superiority in the Mediterranean, and have all to fear from the Interest their antient Rivals, the Genoese, will have with the French Ministry. As for the King of Sardinia, he will be most immediately affected; Fleets in the Ports of Provence and Corsica entirely cut off all Communication from Villa Franca and Nice, his only Ports, and renders the Assistance of English Squadrons most dangerous and precarious; so that not only Sardinia must be lost on the first Efforts of a War, but Piedmont will be open on the Side of Genoa, as Savoy is on the Side of France, and the Benefit of the Barrier, which the Alps makes, will be useless. From Corsica or France every Wind will carry Forces to Lerichy, or the Riviera de Genoa; and Armies can from thence march to Turin without passing the Alps.
France makes use of every Acquisition to encrease her Fleets and Armies. When the Father of Corruption was Minister, and slept over the Helm of State, Britain perceived not that France had acquired Loraine.15
When Patriots complained of Sir Robert for suffering it, his venal Tribe cried, “Lord, what a Trifle is that! It has no Sea-port, no Trade; what signifies Loraine?” But France put it under such Regulations as that it furnishes and supports Recruits of 30,000 Men, that is to say, it adds 30,000 Men to her Armies. —If she should acquire Corsica, we may easily conceive what Advantages she would gain by considering what Strength that Island now has. The Free Corsicans are about 200,000 Souls, of which 40,000 are able to bear Arms, and are enrolled; besides which, in the Territories under the Genoese there are 25,000 Souls, about 5,000 fit to bear Arms, besides their regular Troops. —16 You see by this what a Number of fighting Men this Island would add to France, and as they are Islanders, and mostly employed in fishing, and other Sea-Services, they would contribute to the augmenting their Number of Sailors; an Article they must aspire to, and want greatly.
MONITOR.
To the Printer of the Public Advertiser.
SIR,
Bristol, May 5, 1768.
IN my last I gave the Alarm on the Danger we are in from the French getting Corsica; I tolled the Bell that stronger Hands might come in and ring a Peal; and I find I was not mistaken by an Introduction, wrote with great Energy and Judgement, which was prefixed in your’s. I knew no other Way of Access to the Great but by your Paper. They read it, and I hope these Letters in your’s will give them Notice, their Wisdom will then cause them to enquire, and on finding the Evil, they will procure the Remedy.
Many of the most successful Measures taken by Government have arisen from Hints given in the Public Papers; and I hope you may be as successful in preserving Corsica, as Mr. Trenchard and the Craftsman were in saving Gibraltar after Lord Carteret had sent the famous Letter, giving Hopes of delivering it up to the Spaniards.17 That was a glorious Rescue of a most important Place; but that Place, and Minorca too, will be useless if Corsica should be under French Influence.
I endeavoured to shew in my last how injurious and dangerous such an Acquisition, made by France, would be to his Majesty the King of Great-Britain, his Power and Dignity.
I shall in this shew more at large what great Advantages may arise from cultivating the Trade to Corsica.
The chief Objection is, that the Corsicans are Outlaws and Rebels; the Genoese call them so; but Men must not always be believed in their own Cause.—Let us hear the Corsicans. They say, and swear too, that they are no Rebels nor Outlaws, but a free People; and that the Genoese are Tyrants that have robbed, murdered, and assassinated many of their Nation, and would be Usurpers if they would let them.
A trading Nation doth not, nor cannot enter into the Character of those they trade with. Mr. Wilkes was an Outlaw; but have the Taverns refused to draw Wine for him? or a Shoemaker or Draper to sell him Shoes or Cloth for his ready Money?18 The Pope is a very sad Fellow, and we burn him along with the Devil once a Year,19 yet we trade to Civita-Vecchia. Tunis and Algiers are Pirate States, yet we keep Consuls, and trade with those Pirates and Infidels. The King of Prussia was put under the Ban by the late Emperor, that is, was declared a Rebel and an Outlaw; yet that was so far from hindering our trading with him, that the Nation gave him 600,000 l. yearly to make up for the unjust Treatment he received from French Influence.
Meer Jaffier was a Rebel to the great Mogul, the tyrannical Usurper of India. Jaffier was a Traitor to the Tyrant in whose Service he was, and whom he forsook in Fight, and yet Clive was made a Lord for helping this double Rebel Jaffier.20
For my Part, I find no Scruple in trading to the free Corsicans; they have dealt very honourably with my Factors at Leghorn, and paid in Goods when Money was scarce, for they chiefly trade by Barter.
If French Troops should be in the Island, there is an End of our Trade, and the French will acquire the many Hundred Thousands of Pounds a Year, which we might acquire if that Trade was open.
Now these free Corsicans invite us to trade with them. The Island produces excellent Wine, famous even in the Roman Times. There are various Sorts; some is extremely luscious and strong. They have also Oil, Bees-Wax, and several other Articles, very beneficial. They give good Prices for Hard-Ware and Cloathing of all Kinds, Turnery, and almost every Commodity, as they have no Manufactures; and so much the better for the Vent of our Goods. They make nothing but a Kind of coarse Rugs, with which their Poor are cloathed, and some fine Guns and Gun-powder.
They have about 200,000 Inhabitants, who, if they only consume Two Pounds Value one with the other of our Manufactures, it would make a Vent of 400,000l. a Year; no small Object at a Time when all our Manufactures lie on our Hands for Want of Markets, and the poor Manufacturers starve, or run away for Want of Employment.
I myself know a good deal of Corsica; my Agents at Leghorn are still better acquainted with it;21 nor is that Island unknown to the learned World, as there is a modern Account of it, highly approved by them.
I do not doubt, Sir, but by your Means the governing Part of this Kingdom will be acquainted with the Interest of the Commercial Part, and that they will procure for us a free and open Trade to Corsica, and thereby acquire the Blessings of many Thousands, as well as the highest Reputation.
I am, SIR,
Your humble Servant,
AN ENGLISH MERCHANT.