War was determined, and whilst active preparations were making for prosecuting it, King William III. received a fall from his horse, and his death took place on the 8th of March, 1702. His policy was adopted by his successor, Queen Anne, who entered into treaties of alliance with the Emperor of Germany, the States General of the United Provinces, and other princes and potentates, for preserving the liberty and balance of Europe, and for reducing the exorbitant power of France. Declaration of war was accordingly proclaimed against France and Spain on the 4th of May, 1702. The importance of rescuing Spain from foreign oppression, and of checking the ambitious views of France, was also acknowledged by the English Parliament, and liberal provision was made for increasing the means of prosecuting the war with activity and vigour, both by sea and land. The Earl of Marlborough was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the English troops in Holland, whither he had proceeded as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, immediately after her Majesty's accession to the throne. In the beginning of June, 1702, it was arranged that a naval force, consisting of fifty sail of the line, besides frigates, under Admiral Sir George Rooke, and a land force, consisting of nearly fourteen thousand men, under the command of the Duke of Ormond, should proceed to the coast of Spain. The following corps were employed on this service; namely,-- Corps. Present title. Officers and men. Lloyd's Dragoons 3rd Light Dragoons (Detachment) 275 *Foot Guards 1st and Coldstream 755 *Sir H. Bellasis' 2nd Foot 834 *Churchill's 3rd " 834 *Seymour's 4th " 834 *Columbine's 6th " 724 *Royal Fusileers 7th " (3 Companies) 313 Erle's 19th " 724 Gustavus Hamilton's 20th " 724 Villiers's (Marines) 31st Foot (5 Companies) 520 *Fox's (Marines) 32nd " 834 Donegal's 35th " 724 Charlemont's 36th " 724 *Shannon's (Marines) 834 ------ { Commanded by Baron } 9653 Dutch Regiments { Sparr and Brigadier} 3924 { Pallandt. } ------ 13,577 _The Regiments marked thus * landed at Vigo._