After a century of almost constant conflict, France and England maintained a relatively long period of peace following the signing of the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713. This peace was shattered by a formal declaration of war in 1744. As with all important ordinances and proclamations which affected French subjects overseas, copies of this declaration were sent to Louisbourg to notify its citizens of the state of war which existed. Effective immediately upon receipt of the news, all discharges and leaves among the troops were suspended. The population prepared for shortages in supplies since all French ships, upon which Louisbourg was totally dependent, would be fair game for enemy vessels. Security procedures were tightened since Louisbourg, because of its strategic location and the threat it posed to New England commerce, had reason to expect that it would become directly involved in the war. This is an original copy of the 1744 declaration which was to affect so greatly the history of Louisbourg.
Courtesy: Parks Canada, National Film Board of Canada
