History

“U babbu di has patria”

Pascal Paoli is without any doubt “the” uncontested hero of the Corsica people. He was the creator of an independent Corsica state. Pascal Paoli was born on April 6,1725 meadows from Morosaglia (Corte), more precisely in Stretta. He is the second wire of Hyacinthe Paoli, hero of Corsica independence. He will know in 1739 a first exile with his father, outlaw after the conquest of the island by the marquis de Maillebois. After namebeing named ensign with the royal regiment of Farnèse in 1749, it is proclaimed chief of Corsica in 1755.

In 1769, in Ponte Novu, he knows a defeat vis-a-vis the French troops ordered by the Tale of Are worth. He withdraws himself then in England. He returns to Corsica during the revolution and becomes President of the Departmental Directory in 1790. Named by the Legislative one ordering the 23rd military division in Bastia, it conspires again for independence. In 1791, Bonaparte then with Auxonne, writing with Buttafuoco and publishes a letter of support for Paoli. In 1792, it is opposed to convention and its representatives. In the interest to support its projects of independence, it makes call in 1793 in England and proclaims the Union of Corsica in England. This will definitively scramble it with most enthusiastic of its partisans, Bonaparte.

Paoli is put out the law by convention. In 1795, it is invited to join George III in London, which will prevent it from re-entering to Corsica. He will die close to London on February 5,1807 by leaving these words in heritage “My whole life, I dare the statement, was an uninterrupted oath with freedom”. In April 1807 its bust is set up with the Abbey of Westminster; it is still visible there today. It is only into 1889 that its body will be repatriated in Corsica and will be buried in his native house with Morosaglia (Merusaglia).