December 20, 1755: “A proclamation was issued for prolonging the term, during which gunpowder shall not be exported, for six months.  Also another proclamation for continuing the bounty to seamen and land men till the first of February.”

December 27, 1755: “Brest, Dec. 27. By a late survey of the naval stores, and the representations of the several boards of works throughout the kingdom, it is found that a sufficient quantity of materials are already imported and deposited in his majesty’s magazines, for the equipment of 150 sail of the line. Orders have since been sent hither for the construction of ten new ships, to Rochefort for eight, and to Toulon for the construction of five, all upwards of 50 guns.”