394 LETTER PROM A FRENCH OFFICER 



as fo much goes out of the ifl'and for neceflaries of all 

 kinds. . 



The duties are fifteen per cent on foreign, and feven 

 and a half per cent on french imports. Doubtlefs the 

 crown had the wifeft reafons for this regulation ; it 

 wanted the Corficans to difpenfe with foreign affiftance, 

 by caufing them to pay fomewhat dearer for it. But 

 perhaps a general liberty of trade would have made it 

 . flourim more in the corflcan ports, whereas too much 

 interference of government always fcares it away. A. 

 fimple charge for anchorage, would perhaps have 

 brought in as much as the duty : the neighbouring na- 

 tions would have been accuftomed to vilit Corhca, and 

 jt is more than probable that this ifland would by this 

 time have been one of the feats of commerce of the 

 mediterranean fea, and the fore molt ftaple of the Le- 

 vant ; and perhaps I may be miflaken. 



The only tax in Corlica is the affeffment. It relates 

 principally to landed eftates. The crown thought to 

 give a fpur to the inactivity of the Corlicans by laying 

 on this tax : and it would have fucceeded with any 

 other people ; but this forms an exception to the rule ; 

 the affefTment feems to have quite overpowered them ; 

 accordingly, it has been thought fit to alter the plan. 



I am perfuaded that we mould have a thorough 

 knowledge of the phylical part of a country and the 

 genius of its inhabitants, before we proceed to new 

 imporTtions, efpecially in a nation that has but lately 

 been fubjugated, and has been accuftomed to anarchy 

 and civil duTentions. 



The Corfican cannot do without a mafber, but he 

 that becomes fo is fare of" his hatred. His lazinefs is a 



fault 



