CHAP. II.

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:

ANNE R.

"Our pleasure is, that this establishment of six regiments of Marines, and six other regiments, for sea service, do commence and take place from the respective times of raising. And our farther pleasure is, That the order given by our dearest Brother the late King deceased, and such orders as are or shall be given by us touching the pay or entertainment of our said forces, or any of them, or any charges thereunto belonging, shall be duly complied with, and that no new charge be added to this establishment, without being communicated to our High Treasurer, or Commissioners of our Treasury for the time being.

"Given at our Court at St. James's, first day of June in the first year of our reign.

"By her Majesty's command,

"Godolphin."

I annex, also, the expences incurred by one regiment of this description, which will be a guide to the total charge for the whole of them.

One Company,per day.per year.

Field and Staff Officers.

Colonel as Colonel£0120£21900

Lieut. Col. as Lieut. Col.070127150

Major as Major0509150

Chaplain068121134

Adjutant0407300

Quartermaster0407300

Chirurgeon0407300

One Mate to ditto02645126

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£252£824510

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One Company,per day.per year.

Captain£080£14600

First Lieutenant0407330

Second Lieutenant03054150

2 Serjeants, each 1s 6d03054150

3 Corporals, each 1s03054150

2 Drummers, each 1s02036100

59 Privates, each 8d1194717168

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£324£1,137118

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Pay of 10 Comp. more of the like number and same rates313411,375168

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3458£12,51384

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One Company of Grenadiers to complete this Regiment, as follows:

1 Captain£080£14600

1 First Lieutenant0407300

1 Second Lieutenant0407300

3 Serjeants, each 1s 6d0468226

3 Corporals, each 1s03054150

59 Grenadiers, each 8d1194717168

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Total this Regiment39158£14,520184

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Pay 5 Regiments more, at the same rates, &c.19818472,604118

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Total for Marines£238140£87,125100

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The six regiments of Foot for sea service were exactly the same numbers and same denominations, excepting as to officers, who among these corps, were detailed as Ensigns instead of Second Lieutenants. Classed under one general head, the twelve regiments cost the public £238 14 0 per day, and £174,251 0 0 per year.

The idea of this class of men being raised with a view of becoming a nursery for the Navy, seems to have been now relinquished, and the following articles for their government and conduct were framed, and adopted, by her Majesty in council, upon the 1st of July, 1702.

1st. They were to be employed on board her Majesty's ships as there should be occasion, and quartered at, or as near as might be to the dock-yards, when on shore, to guard them from embezzlements, or any attempts of an enemy.

2d. In all matters relating to their subsistence and clearings, when on board and on shore, they were to be paid in like manner as the land forces, and the same deductions to be made from them for clothing, and one day's pay, once a year, from each officer and soldier for the hospital.

3d. They were to be allowed an equal proportion of provisions with the seamen, without any deductions from their pay for the same.

4th. And to have the same allowance for short provisions (when circumstances render the issue of full allowance imprudent) as the seamen, to be paid to themselves, or their assigns.

5th. Such regiments, or parts of them as should be on shore, were to be mustered by a commissary or commissaries in the same manner as the land forces, excepting in this case, that they, the said commissaries, were obliged to allow at each muster on his or their rolls, all such officers and soldiers as should appear to him or them by authentic vouchers, or certificates, to be put on board any of her Majesty's ships or vessels, and that such part of the aforesaid regiments as should be at sea, might be paid while they were so, it was directed, That the commanding Marine Officer with them should, every two months, return to the Commissary General of the Musters a perfect list of all the officers and soldiers on board each ship, signed by himself, and all the Marine Officers, expressing the times of entry, death, and discharge of each man, that so the Commissary might compare the said lists with the monthly books sent to the Navy Office, and allow such of the officers and soldiers as should appear to him fit to be so allowed.

6th. To prevent confusion, not less than fifteen Marine Soldiers, and with them an Officer, were to be put on board a ship, at any one time, unless in cases of necessity.

7th. And for the ease of the whole a particular Pay-master was appointed, with power to solicit the arrears of the regiments, and to receive all sums of money from the Treasurer of the Navy; and immediately upon the receipt thereof, to issue the same to the respective Colonels, or their Agents; he was also required, diligently and carefully to adjust all accounts relating to the regiments, according to such muster rolls as should be delivered to him by the Commissary, or Commissaries; and those muster rolls were to be allowed of, as sufficient vouchers for the charges in the accounts, and for making out debentures and warrants.

8th. To enable the aforesaid Pay-master to keep an Office, and to defray the charge thereof, and of Clerks and other contingencies, he was allowed sixpence in the pound, pursuant to the subscription of the respective Colonels, which he had power to deduct out of all monies issued to him, in the same manner as the poundage was deducted from the land forces.

9th. For rendering such parts of the regiments as should be on shore the more useful, her Majesty declared it should be left to herself, or the High Admiral, to dispose of them at such places nearest to the several dock yards, as might be judged most convenient: And since there might be occasion for Labourers to dispatch necessary works, her Majesty empowered her High Admiral, or the Commissioners for executing that office, to cause to be employed in the aforesaid dock yards, so many of the Marine Soldiers as might be judged fitting, and to make them such daily allowance for the same, besides their ordinary pay, as to him or them should seem reasonable.

Thus placed under the controul of the Lord High Admiral, he was pleased to nominate Brigadier General Seymour to superintend the whole; whose peculiar duties were to observe, that the men were comfortably quartered, that the officers were attentive in their respective departments, and that the Marine Soldiers, when embarked on board of ship, were supplied with proper sea clothes, and other suitable necessaries.

During this reign also, a number of independent companies of Marines was raised for the express purpose of defending our different West India possessions, to which quarter they were sent, were embodied into three regiments, and where they remained many years.