Still, however, the situation of the world rendered it prudent for Louis to direct his thoughts to the not impro bable renewal of hostilities. Great Britain was at this time involved in serious disputes with her colonies. France, however disposed to remain at peace, on account of the state of her finances, was too interested in the humiliation of Britain, not to regard with satisfaction the progress of a dispute, which might afford her a fair opportunity of weakening her ancient rival. This would be best effected by being able to meet that rival on her own element. The navy of France was therefore an object of great interest ; and the appointment of Monsieur Sartine to the superin tendance of the marine, did honour to the penetration of Louis. He was fruitful in his resources, and unwearied in his application ; and in a short time, the losses of the last war were nearly supplied.
But the finances were not so easily managed. Turgot, not possessing the public confidence, had resigned, and Neckar was soon afterwards placed at their head. In order that he might carry into full and uncontrolled effect all his plans, the entire management of the funds and revenue of France was submitted to him, with the title of director general of the finances.
The interests of science next engaged the attention of Louis and his ministers. Several vessels were fitted out on astronomical discoveries. The Chevalier de Banda was instructed to ascertain the exact position of the Canary Islands and the Cape de Verd. and the different degrees of the coast of Africa, from Cape Spartel to the island of Goree. The Chevalier Grenier, who had traversed the Indian ocean, for the purpose of improving the charts, and correcting the errors which had misled former navigators, was liberally rewarded.
In proportion as the success of the Americans increased the probability that they would ultimately establish their independence, the French cabinet, as well as the French nobility, were desirous of uniting with them, and thus con tributing to the humiliation of Britain. But the former concealed their wishes and their resolutions, and even restrained the ardour of the latter, till a proper opportunity offered itself of openly taking part with the Americans. As soon as the measures of Great Britain had roused the people of her colonies to the daring resolution of rising against their mother country, Silas Deane and Dr Franklin were sent to Paris. Here they exerted secretly their in fluence with the leading men in the French cabinet ; and though, in a public capacity, they were not admitted to an audience, yet they received sufficient encouragement to hope, that, before long, their country would be assisted by the arms of France. In the mean time, the American privateers were allowed to refit in the French ports, and even to bring their prizes into them. Warlike stores were sold or given to the colonists ; French officers and engineers, with the connivance of government, entered into their service ; and the Marquis de la Fayette, a young nobleman of affluent fortune and high birth, sailed for America, ?Vhere he was received with open arms, and ap pointed to a principal command. These circumstances naturally excited the suspicions of the British court ; but, as nothing was done openly, they had no sufficient ground for remonstrating, till warlike preparations were carried on in such an undisguised manner, and to such an extent, as could leave no doubt that France was on the eve of hostilities with some power. Upon this, the English am
bassador at Paris closely questioned the French minister, who replied, that when the seas were covered with English and American ships of war, and when large armies were sent to the New World, it became prudent for France to arm for the defence of her colonies, and the protection of her commerce. The outward forms and the language of neutrality, were, however, preserved, till the capture of General Burgoyne and his army, when they were at once dismissed from the French cabinet, and the independence of the United States of America was openly acknowledged. Silas Deane and Dr Franklin were received as public am bassadors, and a treaty of amity and commerce was signed in the month of February 1773. The recal of the English ambassador from Paris was the signal for the commence ment of hostilities. The details of this war between Britain and France having been already given in our article BRITAIN, we shall confine ourselves to the domestic transactions of France.
Monsieur Neckar still continued at the head of the finances, and endeavoured to render the pressure of the war as light as possible, by plans of economy and re trenchment ; a variety of unnecessary offices in the house hold of the King and Queen were abolished, and other im portant regulations adopted for the benefit of the kingdom. At the same time, the diplomatic skill, experience, and intrigues, of the different French ambassadors at the courts of Europe, were successfully exercised in rousing them, either directly or indirectly, to take advantage of the pre sent circumstances, and crush, or at least weaken, the naval power of Britain. As a long and intimate connec tion had subsisted between the courts of Petersburgh and London, the French ambassador at the former was instruc ted to conciliate the inclinations of the Empress ; and he conducted himself with so much adroitness, as to be very instrumental in persuading her to place herself at the head of the Northern Confederacy. In answer to the declaration which she addressed to the courts of Madrid, Paris, and London, on the subject of neutral rights, the King of France declared, that what her Imperial Majesty claimed from the belligerent powers exactly corresponded with the rules prescribed to the French navy ; and as he was con vinced solid advantages would undoubtedly result, not only to her subjects, but also to all nations, she might depend that he would adhere to his usual practice, and comply with her wishes. Towards the close of the year 1730, Monsieur Sartine was removed from the marine depart ment, which he had superintended for five years. Ills great and leading object had been, during the whole of this time, to place the French navy upon the most exten sive and efficient footing ; and he had succeeded in raising her naval power to an unprecedented height ; but his measures for this purpose necessarily required the expen diture of very large sums of money, at a time when the state of the finances loudly called for economy and re trenchment. Hence his measures and wishes were at variance with those of the of the and his removal was the consequence. fie was succeeded by the Marquis de Castries.