Treaty of Bastia (Borgo)

The Treaty of Bastia was signed on the 12th August 1769 at the Palazzo Genovese, Bastia, Corsica, by representatives of the Kingdom of France, the Kingdom of Great Britain, and the Republic of Corsica. Its effect was to confirm the French recognition of Corsican independence, and a joint British-French guarantee of Corsican neutrality in international affairs.

France had previously claimed the island for its own, having been sold it by the Republic of Genoa from which Corsica had broken away some fourteen years earlier. In 1768 therefore French troops invaded the island in an attempt to assert its claim and subdue Corsica to the crown. The expedition however ended in disaster, the French being heavily defeated at the Battle of Borgo in October, and after Great Britain threatened to intervene France abandoned its plans and began peace negotiations.

The treaty was eventually agreed by the following.

Arbitrating, and representing Great Britain, Admiral Richard Howe, 1st Earl Howe.

Representing France, Emmanuel-Armand de Vignerot du Plessis de Richelieu, duc d'Aiguillon.

Representing Corsica, President-General Pasquale Paoli