if he wanted to make any impression on the valiant islanders, so long accustomed to scenes of blood; and since his sovereign had committed to him the charge of conquering this people, he resolved to do it effectually.
Every thing therefore, was provided for the enterprise. He had 16 battalions of the best troops of France, besides some arquebusiers, and Bearnois, expert in climbing the mountains.
Having formed two great corps, and several small parties, all compleatly furnished with ammunition, and whatever else was necessary, or convenient; he pierced into the innermost parts of the country, while his grenadiers carried heavy cannon across the rudest passes. He cut down the standing corn, the vines, the olives, set fire to the villages, and spread terrour and desolation in every quarter. He hanged numbers of monks, and others, who were keenest in the revolt, and at the fame time, published, wherever he went, his terms of capitulation, which had the best chance to be accepted, amidst so general a destruction. Notwithstanding the ungenerous cause, in which they were displayed, one cannot but admire the martial abilities of M. de Maillebois.
