The Seven Years War is known as the French and Indian War in North America. Much of it was skirmishes between frontiersmen and native Indians. There were however a couple of exceptions, one of which is the taking of Fort Louisbourg. Massachusetts played an important part in this. It had suffered more than most in raids, particularly along its northern frontier. Organised by the Governor William Shirley and with huge support from the people William Pepperell, a merchant of Maine, was charged with taking it. He managed a magnificent victory taking the fortress of Louisbourg on Cape Breton Island in forty-nine days, in June 1745. It was a fortress so strong it was known as the Gibraltar of America.

This fascinating document lays out the chronology of the campaign from 25 January 1744 when Governor Shirley first proposed the attack. It lays out the economic costs to the French and its own expenses incurred. It details the economic impact to the colony and lays out the case for assistance from England. It claims the costs to May 1746 amount to 261,700 pounds sterling, a considerable sum. It then lays out nine reasons why recompense should be made. Parliament duly reimbursed the colony and Thomas Hutchinson, then speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, used it to enact Massachusetts currency reform which was adopted in 1749 and implemented in 1750. It called in and exchanged the colony’s paper money for silver, returning Massachusetts Bay to a silver standard. A fascinating document. Examples are cited at the Huntington; Boston Public Library; JCB; and British Library. John Carter Brown Library (1980–97). “European Americana: A Chronological Guide to Works Printed in Europe Relating to the Americas” 746/33; Sabin 45666 (dating it incorrectly 1744).