254] 
secure to the republic the most im- 
portant posts in the island, Bastia, 
its forts, and St. Fiorenzo, are al- 
ready guarded by their inhabitants, 
conjointly with the English, who 
cepart in three days. 
I hope we shall find artillery and 
magazines, 
(Signed) GENTILE, 
Gentili to the French Commizsizners. 
Leghorn, 24Vendemaire( O81 a 
THE plan long ago settied by our 
compatriots to deliver Corsica from 
the ‘tyranny of the English, the 
movements of the interior pre pared 
by the republicans, the dispositions 
taken here by the patriots for sup- 
porting them, the debarkation al- 
ready effeéted on the island, of a 
great many of our fellow citizens, 
and the numbers preparing here to’ 
follow them, have strack terror 
into the hearts of the English. 
They were sensil:le that they could 
not long maintain: themselves in a 
country conquered by treason: 
Elliot is therefore evacuating Cor- 
sica, and re-embarking all the 
English troops. 
At this moment, when we are 
about to put to sea, a numerous 
deputation of the communes of 
Bastia, and other places, have ar- 
rived, to give to us this happy 
news, which we are desirous of 
communicating to you. 
The town of Bastia, faithful to 
its vows and attachment to France, 
has formed a provisional committee, 
which has named a deputation to 
come and offer the oath of fidelity 
to the French republic. Bastia, 
and its ferts, as well as St. Fio- 
renzo, are guarded by the citizens. 
We are assured that in three days 
there will be no more English in 
the country, Hasten to give the 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 
1796. 
orders to go and “occupy it; and 
render it back to ‘the mother 
country ! 
(Signed ) GENTILI, 
Message of the Executive DiveGory 
to the Council of Five presenta 
Vendemaire 25 (Od. 16), Fi ob 
Year. 
Citizens Hosen 4 Oy 
THE British cabinet, for the 
purpose of inducing the parliament 
to grant the necessary supplies for 
the ensuing campaign, has adopted 
two measures: the one has for its 
object to open the way for an im. 
mediate and dire& negotiation with 
the republic; and the other, to re- 
store the course of exchange be- 
tween Holland -and London, and to 
authorize the exportation of Eng- 
lish merchandize to the ports of 
the United Provinces, and the coun. 
try which it still affetts to describe 
as Austrian Flanders. . 
The Batavian government, sen. 
sible of its real interests, has already 
seen the latter measure in its truc 
light. It has rejected the pre- 
tended favour, and by an energetic 
proclamation has taken the neces- 
sary precautions to prevent the in. | 
troduction of English merchandize, 
and to look upon those who shall 
purchase or use them as enemies to 
their country, a circumstance which 
has spread consternation over the 
English commerce and manufac. 
tories, 
The executive directory, on-its 
part, has published in the nine 
united departments, the 1, 2, 35 5» 
and 6th articles of the roth of - 
the 2d year, and has roused, by 
particular orders, the attention of 
the officers of the customs in every 
part of the republic, who have al- 
ready made many. y-scizures end con. 
fiscations. 
