The success of the French in Nova Scotia in 1744 was
due to their having the control of the sea in that district at
the outset and during most of the campaign, despite periodic
visits of Massachusetts vessels to the coast. The French
fleet, except late in the season for a period, was not con-
siderable, but the mosquito fleet of Massachusetts was not
a match for it. The non-appearance of a considerable
English squadron in continental North American waters was
the decisive factor, and in view of the unquestioned Eng-
lish preponderance upon the sea and the importance of the
American fishery and trade, was an anomaly.
The Jacobite demonstration against England at that time
might have been met as well as it actually was met with a
smaller naval force than was employed; since a direct in-
vasion of England from France was made impossible by a
considerable English squadron in the channel, and another
good-sized force retained in home waters was not effec-
tive in preventing the Pretender from reaching Scotland,

•Shirley to Board, July 23, 1744, Sh. Cor., vol. i, p. 137; Shirley to
Newcastle, Sept. 22, 1744, ibid., pp. 146-147.
24



WILLIAM SHIRLEY— A HISTORY



whence the disturbance ahiiost exclusively arose. The
French, meanwhile, having held the bulk of the British fleet
at and near home, despatched their East India fleet from the
African coast to Louisburg in entire safety,^ and thence, in
the colder weather, home. Hence despite the English naval
superiority the English-American campaign oi 1744 was a
defensive one, and but for Shirley's insight, promiptness
and persistence would have been a disastrous one.
