From the period of the commencement of hostilities against Spain in 1739, the conduct of the Court of Versailles had been equivocal, and in the beginning of the year 1743 the projects of Louis XV. were developed by the equipment of powerful naval armaments in the ports of France, and by the assembling of armies on the sea-coasts, the avowed aim of which was against the Crown and liberties of the British Empire. Being no longer able to restrain her views, France declared war on the 20th of March, 1743, which was answered by a proclamation on the part of Great Britain on the 31st of that month. [Sidenote: 1744] A force of 11,550 Marines was granted by Parliament as a part of the establishment for the year 1744, at which period fleets were detached to every quarter of the globe. A partial affair occurred in the Mediterranean in May of this year, in which a party of Marines disembarked from the Essex ship-of-war, and signalized themselves: that ship being on a cruise gained sight of twenty-six xebeques and settees, bound to Antibes, from whence they were to carry troops to Italy: the former were a convoy to the latter, which were laden with powder, cannon, ordnance stores, and provisions: thirteen having taken refuge in the Creek of Casse, the Marines were landed in order to co-operate with the boats, and to repel any enemy that might appear to retard their progress: they were attacked by a body of Spaniards, whom they beat back, and thus effected the object on which they were employed: eleven vessels were burnt and two captured. The most active measures were adopted, by order of the Secretary at War, for again completing the ten regiments of Marines, in order to render them effective as speedily as possible. [Sidenote: 1745] Attacks having been made during the last year by the French upon _Canso_ and _Anna-polis_ in _Nova Scotia_, the former of which they burnt, the Northern Colonies of British America became alarmed for their safety: an expedition was consequently commenced against _Louisburg_; considerable levies were raised in the American provinces, and a co-operating naval force, under Commodore Warren, then commanding on the West India station, was ordered to repair to Canso; the arrangements made for conducting this expedition were carried into effect with that confidence and secrecy which are always essential towards securing the success of a military enterprise, and the exertions of the Americans were fully equal to the important interests which they had at stake.