The loss was immense, as well as the disgrace.

France at last decided upon declaring war, which had already been commenced in fact for more than two years.
It was regretfully, and as if compelled by a remnant of national honor, that Louis XV.

had just adopted the resolution of defending his colonies; he had, and the nation had as well, the feeling that the French were hopelessly weak at sea.

"What use to us will be hosts of troops and plenty of money," wrote the advocate Barbier, "if we have only to fight the English at sea?
They will take all our ships one after another, they will seize all our settlements in America, and will get all the trade.
We must hope for some division amongst the English nation itself, for the king personally does not desire war." The English nation was not divided.

The ministers and the Parliament, as well as the American colonies, were for war.