Plans for the Reorgani~ation of the Frontier
201
time, French and English interests clashed. Unfortunately for France she lacked an able leader. Under the indolent and dissolute Louis XV the patriotism and heroic efforts of the French were unavailing. Strange as it may seem, France attached little or no importance throughout the contest to the vast Province of Louisiana. Little wonder that instead of follow- ing up with energy and determination the brilliant victory of Captain D'Aubrey at Fort Duquesne, the only bright spot for the French in the entire war in America, Louis XV ordered shortly thereafter the withdrawal of thirty-six companies of French soldiers to reduce the unnecessary expense of the colony. 1 The same shortsighted policy was displayed on all fronts. By 176r France was ready to sue for peace in an effort to save from the wreckage what had not been already irretrievably lost. The English seemed well satisfied with the gains and felt there was little use in continuing the struggle. When Choiseul, the French Minister for Foreign Affairs. therefore, suggested negotiations, the British welcomed the pro- posal. But no sooner were conversations started than public opinion in England became divided not on the importance of acquiring Louisiana. but on the relative significance of Canada and the West Indies. At this time the larger part of Louisiana was still in French hands. but neither the French nor the English appear to have attached much importance to this vast territory along the most fertile river banks in America. 2 Contrary to general opinion, Great Britain showed as little concern with regard to the fate of Louisiana at this time as she did throughout the final negotiations for peace. The portion west of the Mississippi was eventually ceded to Spain, not to save it from falling into the hands of the English as popularly claimed, but to compensate Spain for the losses sustained as ally of France.• Spain had managed to observe neutral- ity in the struggle under Ferdinand VI, who was sympathetic towards the English. But his death on August 10, 1759, brought about a reversal of policy under his successor, the practical minded, liberal, and ~nergetic Charles III. This Bourbon prince who now ascended the Spanish throne, had successfully been King of Naples, but unlike Ferdinand VI, he had Mistaken ,policy of Charles Ill. 1 W. A. Goodspeed, TA, Pr01llne1 OM tA, Stat11 (Madison, 1904) I, 219-220. 1 C. W. Alvord, TA, Munsli,P,PI Valli)' ;,, BrituA Polities, Cleveland, 1917, I, 47-62. 1 E. Wilson Lyons, Lo11int111a ;,, Frn,cA Dl,Plo1fl4&'Y, 1750-1804 (Norman, Olcla.) 16-33.
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