<P> In a final attempt to try to gain some advantage against the British, the French managed to slip an expedition through the British blockade and head towards Newfoundland, considered valuable because of its large fishery . The small British garrison was swiftly overwhelmed and the French believed they could use Newfoundland as a bargaining counter to extract the return of several of their own territories . General Amherst responded by despatching a force of men from New York under his younger brother William Amherst to recapture the island . They managed to defeat a French force at the Battle of Signal Hill on 15 September 1762, forcing the total capitulation of the French expedition three days later . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section is empty . You can help by adding to it . (January 2011) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section is empty . You can help by adding to it . (January 2011) </Td> </Tr> <P> By 1763 the British government had an extreme shortage of money, though not as severe as that facing the French government . The collapse of the alliance with the Prussians ended that costly involvement, and by late 1762 the war around the world was winding towards a close . In Britain the new Bute ministry had taken full control of government, following the departure of Newcastle in March 1762 after a power struggle . The government agreed to an armistice and began fresh negotiations with the French in Paris directed by the Duke of Bedford . </P>

What problems did the british government face after 1760