“Whereas We have thought it necessary for the good of Our Service to put under your immediate and entire command all our Marine regiments now raised, or hereafter to be raised; Our Will and Pleasure therefore is, that you do lake upon you the immediate and entire command of the said Marine forces accordingly; and for the better government of our said Marine regiments, we have thought fit to empower and authorise you to prepare and publish such rules and ordinances as are fit to be observed by our said Marine forces under your command, hereby strictly charging and requiring the several colonels and other officers, who shall from time to time be employed in the said regiments, to take notice thereof, and in all respects to conform themselves to such directions accordingly, and to cause exact musters to be taken of them, as well at sea as on shore, and that the same be transmitted to our Commissary-General of Marines, in order to the more speedy clearing of the accounts of our said Marine regiments. And whereas, by the establishment, provision is made for such contingent charges as may arise in this service, and to the use of our said forces, you are hereby further authorized to direct the payment of the said money, in such proportions as you shall, in your discretion, think necessary, for the purpose aforesaid. “And for executing the several powers and authorities herein expressed this shall be your warrant. And so we bid you heartily farewell. “Given at our Court at St. James’s, this 28th February, 1746-7, in the 20th year of our reign. “By His Majesty’s Command. (Signed) “CHESTERFIELD.” Notwithstanding the disasters which had attended the expeditions of the French in North America in the preceding year (1746), when Louis XV. had equipped an extensive armament, under the command of the Duke d’Anville for the recapture of Cape Breton, which was rendered ineffectual by storms and other casualties, and by the death of its commander, the French Monarch was not discouraged by these disasters; but was resolved to renew his efforts against the British colonies in North America, and also the settlements in the East Indies. For these purposes two squadrons were prepared at Brest, one commanded by Commodore de la Jonquière, and the other, destined for India, by Monsieur de St. George.