The Naval–Military Balance, January 1744

During the winter of 1743/4, while the political battles still raged in Parliament, arrangements for the coming campaign were proceeding. Open war with France was now expected. France was a far more dangerous enemy than Spain and there was already evidence that the French were fostering a Jacobite rebellion. So far the Royal Navy had not achieved what was expected of it in the offensive war against Spain, but it was still seen as the principal and reliable safeguard against invasion. Anxiety about invasion and rebellion was rising, but with faith in the navy still intact, the offensive against France could be undertaken in Europe. Six new foot regiments were to be raised and the army in Flanders was being reinforced to 20 British battalions and 29 squadrons. Recruits for the regiments already in Flanders were on their way to Ostend by early February. The senior commander of the Pragmatic Army had still to be decided. Although Stair continued to advise on military matters, it was no longer possible for him to work with the Austrian and Hanoverian general officers. The King's second son, William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, had been considered. He was only 23-years-old and a major general, but he had proved his bravery at Dettingen where he had been wounded in the leg. Promoted to lieutenant general after the action, it was thought that he might command the army if he were advised by other senior allied generals. In the end, the matter remained unresolved.

Success now depended on a number factors. First and foremost was money. The fiscal system continued to prove extremely robust. Expenditure had risen steadily during 1743 and, despite an increase of almost £2.5 million in the national debt, there appears to have been no pressure on credit. The 3 per cent interest rate on government bonds held as the small number of largescale investors in public debt remained confident. Pelham estimated that a further £1.8 million would have to be borrowed during 1744. The credit was not a problem, but it took longer than anticipated to agree the tax revenues to be assigned to it.