The sincerity of these overtures may well be called in question, though Buonaparte still used the language of affection to his former idol.

However this may be, all hope of compromise is dashed by the zealots who are in power at Paris.
On April 2nd they order the French commissioners to secure Paoli's person, by whatever means, and bring him to the French capital.

At once a cry of indignation goes up from all parts of Corsica; and Buonaparte draws up a declaration, vindicating Paoli's conduct and begging the French Convention to revoke its decree.[19] Again, one cannot but suspect that this declaration was intended mainly, if not solely, for local consumption.

In any case, it failed to cool the resentment of the populace; and the partisans of France soon came to blows with the Paolists.
Salicetti and Buonaparte now plan by various artifices to gain the citadel of Ajaccio from the Paolists, but guile is three times foiled by guile equally astute.

Failing here, the young captain seeks to communicate with the French commissioners at Bastia.