 Arnaud was a vigorous and involved figure back at the central government with regard to New France as is evidenced by the rich correspondence between him and the Governors and Intendant who followed Hocquart.Unfortunately, circumstances beyond the good intentions of those on the spot and La Porte in Versailles conspired to bring this initially rewarding endeavour in Canada to a disappointing end.Incompetent administration of the forge, three successive years of bad harvests and finally the declaration of war with England in 1744 leading to naval blockades which annihilated trade until 1748, brought an effective close to the Canadian boom.