*795] CASES OF SALIETTE AND CAFFOBI 145

and was taken in Bastia as an officer when it surrendered. Agreeably to the capitulation he was sent with the other prisoners to France, and now, happening in the course of service to be in the Qa Ira, he is again taken prisoner. It is difficult to see why this gentleman should be treated so harshly. The French would be justified, in my opinion, if they were immediately to put Admiral Bligh, General O'Hara, and every English officer they have into close confinement. If the Viceroy thinks it dangerous to allow Mr. Saliette his liberty in Corsica, he should send him back on board ship. I am certain Admiral Hotham would be mucK displeased if he knew that any officer he took was treated in the manner this gentleman is. The fact is, that the Viceroy, led by Pozzo di Borgo, allows himself to be actuated by the little, mean, illiberal, revengeful passions of that fellow and his adherents. I can hear of no action of the Viceroy that is not subject to criticism. There is, too frequently, a degree of harshness and want of feeling in what he does, such as one would not expect if one had only a superficial acquaintance with him.

A Mr. Caffori, belonging to one of the principal families of this country, was at the Revolution a Royalist; he was an officer, and had been bred in the French service. He and his family, consisting of a wife and a great many children, passed into Italy, and his property was confiscated by a decree of the National Assembly. This gentleman, with some others under similar circumstances, was recalled by the present Government, and arrived in Corsica a short time before the departure of General Stuart. Mr. Caffori's property has not yet been returned to him. He cannot therefore trim his vines—of course they will produce nothing next year; his land in corn will be pretty much in the same situation, and as to his house at Corte, the Viceroy had pitched upon it for himself, made some alterations in it in Mr. Caffori's absence, and is now in possession of the keys. This gentleman and his family are in the greatest want; the little ready money he had was spent during his banishment. He lost his military appointments at the

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