The plan was devised by an American merchant Thomas Cumming who had previously visited West Africa, and extensively considered the possibilities for a British expedition.

Such expeditions were part of Southern Secretary William Pitt's strategy of destroying France's capacity to continue the war by draining her of funds.

The forces departed from Plymouth in early 1758, and after a brief stop for supplies at Tenerife, they reached the coast of West Africa in April.

He was also impressed by the large quantity of gum arabic brought back to Britain, as it provided a much cheaper source for silk-weavers.

[6] In the wake of the missions' success, two further expeditions were sent out that year, which captured the Island of Gorée and the French trading station on the Gambia.

[7] Pitt would have liked to have launched further expeditions but could not in the face of opposition from the Duke of Newcastle who feared that stripping the British Isles of troops would leave them vulnerable to invasion.

Ownership of the West African possessions became a major source of contention between Britain and France during the peace talks that led to the 1763 Treaty of Paris.

This was in fact Captain Joseph Brome who was Master Gunner of the British Army from 1760 and based in the newly completed (1756) Horse Guards building.

She was young; responded to an African name; and spoke no English, all of which are indicative of her recent arrival and left her vulnerable on the streets of London.