The State Of Genoa Is Very Poor, And Their Bank Of
St. George Has Received Such Rude Shocks, First From
The revolt
of the Corsicans, and afterwards from the misfortunes of the
city, when it was taken by the Austrians
In the war of 1745, that
it still continues to languish without any near prospect of its
credit being restored. Nothing shews the weakness of their state,
more than their having recourse to the assistance of France to
put a stop to the progress of Paoli in Corsica; for after all
that has been said of the gallantry and courage of Paoli and his
islanders, I am very credibly informed that they might be very
easily suppressed, if the Genoese had either vigour in the council
or resolution in the field.
True it is, they made a noble effort in expelling the Austrians
who had taken possession of their city; but this effort was the
effect of oppression and despair, and if I may believe the
insinuations of some politicians in this part of the world, the
Genoese would not have succeeded in that attempt, if they had not
previously purchased with a large sum of money the connivance of
the only person who could defeat the enterprize. For my own part,
I can scarce entertain thoughts so prejudicial to the character
of human nature, as to suppose a man capable of sacrificing to
such a consideration, the duty he owed his prince, as well as all
regard to the lives of his soldiers, even those who lay sick in
hospitals, and who, being dragged forth, were miserably butchered
by the furious populace.
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