Paoli favoured the claims of Bastia, thereby annoying the champions of Ajaccio, among whom the Buonapartes were prominent.

The schism was widened by the dictatorial tone of Paoli, a demeanour which ill became the chief of a civic force.

In fact, it soon became apparent that Corsica was too small a sphere for natures so able and masterful as those of Paoli and Napoleon Buonaparte.
The first meeting of these two men must have been a scene of deep interest.

It was on the fatal field of Ponte Nuovo.

Napoleon doubtless came there in the spirit of true hero-worship.