1721--_Whalebone_, John Scroggs, master, sailed from Gravesend, 31st May; wintered at Prince of Wales' Fort. 1722--Sailed from thence 21st June. Returned July 25th following. 1737--_The Churchill_, James Napper, master, sailed from Prince of Wales' Fort, July 7th. Died 8th August; and the vessel returned the 18th. _The Musquash_, Robert Crow, master, sailed from Prince of Wales' Fort, July 7th. Returned 22nd August. [59] "On looking through the correspondence at the Admiralty, it is impossible not to be struck with the straightforward manliness, candour and honesty of purpose exemplified by Captain Middleton throughout this trying business. It was a cruel attack."--Sir John Barrow. CHAPTER XXII. 1744-1748. War again with France -- Company takes Measures to Defend its Forts and Property -- "Keep your guns loaded" -- Prince "Charlie" -- His Stock in the Company Confiscated -- Further Instructions to the Chief Factors -- Another Expedition to Search for a North-West Passage -- Parliament Offers Twenty Thousand Pounds Reward -- Cavalier Treatment from Governor Norton -- Expedition Returns -- Dobbs' Enmity -- Privy Council Refuse to Grant his Petition -- Press-gang Outrages -- Voyage of the _Seahorse_. [Sidenote: War with France.] In the year 1740 the state of affairs in Europe seemed to point to war between England and France. England had declared war against Spain, and although for a time Lewis XV. and his ministers sympathized with the latter country, they endeavoured to avoid being drawn into a conflict with her powerful neighbour and hereditary enemy across the Channel. Yet such a conflict seemed inevitable, when by degrees Spanish commerce became shattered under the blows of King George's navy. Apprehensive that England would wrest from Spain her colonies, France resolved to take sides with Spain. In 1744 war was declared, and hostilities, which had been in abeyance for thirty-one years, at once recommenced in the transatlantic possessions of both crowns. It was therefore decided at a general court of the Adventurers, at which no fewer than seventy were present, to take measures to avoid a repetition of the disasters of fifty years previously. They felt that their enemies were now many, who would be glad to see them driven from the Bay, and that less assistance might be expected from the Government than at any of the crises which had previously overtaken them. We have seen to what this was due. It now behooved the Company to gird up its loins, and if the foe came, to strike, and strike with force. It was the Hudson's Bay Company against France and Spain. The incident of Louisburg alone saved the Company from destruction.