Tranquillity was scarcely restored to the nation, when it had to lament the loss of its Sovereign, who closed an amiable and a virtuous life upon the 1st day of August, 1714.
The eyes and hearts of every Briton, who was capable of appreciating, and solicitous to maintain the blessings he enjoyed, naturally turned towards a successor, the recognized virtues of whose illustrious House, were the surest pledge of a continuance of their religious and civil liberties.
Accordingly, the Crown was tendered to, and accepted by King George the First, whose wise and mild reign, amidst subsequent convulsions, fully realized every hope which the nation had formed.
He had scarcely been seated on his throne, when a rival appeared, the unfortunate dupe of the hostile and ambitious designs of France, against his kingdoms.
But the loyalty of his subjects, and the courage of his troops, defeated an attempt that must have renewed the evils which urged on a recent and a glorious Revolution.
In the first year of his Majesty's Government, it was judged proper to grant a signal mark of royal favour, in consideration of the extensive and gallant services of the Marine Regiments. Accordingly, all the officers attached to those of Lieutenant General Holl, Major General Wills, and Brigadier Barr were restored to their rank and full pay, and were generally incorporated with the different corps of the line. Four invalid companies were also granted.
A spirit of public œconomy, as well as of public jealousy against the very idea of a standing army, that existed during the æra of which I treat, preclude any retrospective details from me within the periods of 1715 and 1739—During those days the very name of a Marine Soldier carried within it hostility to British liberty. It was a term which the most enlightened could not comprehend, and afforded a handle of discussion to the leaders of parliamentary debates, and of popular prejudices.
During the above interval, the nation encountered a short war, and was also placed in the attitude of preparation for a second—but the events of neither fall within my limited scope; as no force, except the nominal and unattached title of General of Marines existed, with four independent companies of invalids.
It was not until 1739, upon the repetition of Spanish cruelties and aggression towards the industrious and defenceless subjects of Britain, that the system of Marine Regiments was renewed. The sword was again drawn upon the 19th of October of that year, and an Order of Council of the 12th of December, determined upon the immediate levy of six of this description. The Colonels who were nominated to command them were as follow: