La Combe St.Michel, the commissioner from the national convention, who was in the city, replied in these terms to the summons of the British admiral--"I have hot shot for your ships, and bayonets for your troops.

When two-thirds of our men are killed, I will then trust to the generosity of the English." The siege, however, was not sustained with the firmness which such a reply seemed to augur.

On the 19th of May a treaty of capitulation was begun; that same evening the troops from St.Fiorenzo made their appearance on the hills; and, on the following morning, General d'Aubant arrived with the whole army to take possession of Bastia.
The event of the siege had justified the confidence of the sailors; but they themselves excused the opinion of the generals when they saw what they had done.

"I am all astonishment," said Nelson, "when I reflect on what we have achieved; 1000 regulars, 1500 national guards, and a large party of Corsican troops, 4000 in all, laying down their arms to 1200 soldiers, marines, and seamen! I always was of opinion, have ever acted up to it, and never had any reason to repent it, that one Englishman was equal to three Frenchmen.

Had this been an English town, I am sure it would not have been taken by them." When it had been resolved to attack the place, the enemy were supposed to be far inferior in number; and it was not till the whole had been arranged, and the siege publicly undertaken, that Nelson received certain information of the great superiority of the garrison.