Upon the death of King William III. whose royal memory must long
be dear to Englishmen, Queen Anne ascended the British throne.
Previous to this event, the seeds of a new war had been forming,
which was proclaimed against France and Spain, upon the 4th day of
May, 1702.
The French King having advanced his grandson, the Duke of Anjou to
the vacant Spanish monarchy, her Majesty espoused the interests
and claims of the Archduke of Austria upon that sovereignty, and
resolved upon sending a strong fleet into the Mediterranean, which
was to become the theatre of their hostile efforts.
One of the first acts of her reign was a revival of the corps of
Marines, but they were placed upon a different footing from these
that existed under her royal predecessor. Destined for the mingled
and active services of co-operation with the well-trained forces
of our allies, along with a new establishment, a new constitution
was also requisite. Their meritorious conduct, as soldiers, in
the subsequent duties that were allotted them, reflected honour
upon their discipline and their country, and they shared in the
royal thanks of Him whose cause they maintained, by their frequent
debarkations upon the sea-coasts of France, Spain, and Italy.
Her Majesty's order for levying this body of men was issued upon
the first day of June, 1702, and runs thus: