To the want of co-operation and unanimity must be ascribed the many chequered events, and reverses, that marked his royal efforts during this contest. Unsupported by his family, or his nation, whose immediate interests it must have been to place him effectively on that throne, he was exposed to many fatal disappointments when he could not remedy them, and was thus often obliged to adopt the measures of necessitous expediency, when he should have been enabled to prosecute the objects of an arranged system. Early in 1709, the town of Alicant became hard pressed, having sustained a long and obstinate siege against a very powerful force of the combined enemy. The garrison, composed in a great proportion of Marines, exhibited the most heroic perseverance in maintaining the place. Unable to reduce it, the besiegers attempted to undermine the rock upon which the Castle stood, of which they apprized its defenders; but this had no effect upon their resolution. A partial shock, which buried above twenty in its effects, did not intimidate them, and they bravely continued to defend themselves till the fleet, under Sir George Byng, appeared (I believe) on the 4th of April. General Stanhope, with the troops on board, were to have attempted its relief, under cover of a squadron that was at the same time to have attacked the enemy's lines along the sea shore; but a heavy gale coming on, and many of the ships being in shallow water, it was judged proper to stand farther out into the road. The weather continuing severe, and being unable to gain any intelligence as to the state of the garrison, the Commanders in Chief dreading the worst, and in pity to their sufferings, by a flag of truce, proposed terms of surrender, which being agreed to, the brave remnants were embarked on board of the fleet, which now proceeded to Tarragona, Port Mahon, and afterwards to Barcelona. During the remainder of this year, nothing farther was attempted by our squadrons, which, in their attached duties, were employed to harass the commerce of our foes, and to protect the convoys of provisions destined wherever necessary. Upon the 13th of March, 1710, Sir John Norris arrived at Port Mahon, as Commander in Chief of the Naval Forces. After having arranged every thing, transporting troops to the different quarters, where required, and some inferior attacks upon the enemy, he reached Barcelona upon the 18th of June, in order to concert future operations with his Majesty. An expedition was meditated against Cette, in the province of Languedoc, where the Troops and Marines were landed upon the 13th of July. The place made but a feeble resistance; and the fort, upon which eighteen pieces of cannon were mounted, surrendered the same day. Major General Seissau, then advancing against Adge with the regiment of Stanhope, and three hundred Marines, that town was delivered up without resistance.