The partisans of France found none to oppose them.

A committee of thirty took upon them the government of Bastia, and sequestrated all the British property; armed Corsicans mounted guard at every place, and a plan was laid for seizing the viceroy.

Nelson, who was appointed to superintend the evacuation, frustrated these projects.

At a time when every one else despaired of saving stores, cannon, provisions, or property of any kind, and a privateer was moored across the mole-head to prevent all boats from passing, he sent word to the committee, that if the slightest opposition were made to the embarkment and removal of British property, he would batter the town down.

The privateer pointed her guns at the officer who carried this message, and muskets were levelled against his boats from the mole-head.