"The transfer of Isle Royale and its dependencies to France had been made without difficulty. Charles des Herbiers, Sieur de la Ralière, a naval captain of distinction, was chosen as French Commissoner and Governor, and furnished with voluminous instructions, which included drafts of the letters he was to write. He left France with the men-of-war Tigre and Intrépide, which convoyed transports, carrying about five hundred troops from Isle de Rhé and civilian inhabitants of Isle Royale. The frigate Anémone was dispatched after him to make more imposing his important mission.
On the 29th of June 1749 the Tigre was a league off Louisbourg. Des Herbiers transcribed his model letter to Hopson, its Governor, and sent it into the town by two officers. He chose as his envoys Des Gannes and Loppinot, both of whom had been officers in its former garrison. At noon the next day the flotilla entered the harbour and exchanged salutes with the shore batteries. That afternoon Des Herbiers and his staff were received with all the honours, by Hopson and his officers. There were difficulties about the transport of the British troops and people and other minor matters. In the end they were satisfactorily settled. The opportune arrival of Cornwallis at Halifax set free British transports which came to Louisbourg. They were supplemented by French ships, and so effectively were the arrangements made and carried out, that on the 23rd of July Des Herbiers marched into the town, and received its keys from Hopson. The French flag replaced that of England over the citadel and batteries. Hopson received a certificate that the transfer was complete and satisfactory, and the English forces and people withdrew to Halifax.
The English ships did not begin to sail, however, till the 30th, and the Te Deum for the return of peace was deferred, out of consideration for them, until August 3."
J. S. McLennan. Louisbourg, from its Foundation to
Its Fall, 1713 - 1758. 3rd Edition 1969, Fortress Press.
View the Photo Gallery of Grand Encampment 1995.
The Compagnies franches de la marine in Louisbourg in 1745.