When a powerful monarch adopts measures of unprincipled aggression, and pursues schemes of aggrandizement without regard to the stipulations of treaties, to the rights of nations, or to the privileges of individuals, peace is not of long duration; but princes of a pacific disposition, and people devoted to the interests of industry and commerce, are forced to assume the profession of arms, and to fight in defence of their just rights and privileges. Such was repeatedly the case during the reign of Louis XIV., who terminated the repose granted to Europe by the treaty of Ryswick, by procuring the elevation of his grandson, the Duke of Anjou, to the throne of Spain;--by taking possession of the Spanish Netherlands,--making prisoners the Dutch garrisons in the barrier towns, and other acts of aggression. The interests of every state in Europe being affected by the change in the dynasty of Spain, the preparations for war were universal, and King William sent thirteen British battalions to Holland, to act as auxiliaries. [Sidenote: 1701] The THIRTEENTH regiment was selected to proceed on foreign service: it was augmented to eight hundred and thirty officers and soldiers; and sailing from Cork in the middle of June, 1701, arrived at Helvoetsluys, in South Holland, on the 8th of July. The British troops were afterwards sent up the Maese to Breda, and other fortified towns; and on the 21st of September they were reviewed on Breda heath by King William III. [Sidenote: 1702] After passing the winter in garrison in Holland, the regiment quitted its quarters on the 10th of March, 1702, and proceeded to Rosendael, where the British infantry encamped under Brigadier-General Ingoldsby, then Colonel of the 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Colonel Sir John Jacob, Baronet, being desirous of retiring from the active duties of commanding officer of the regiment, which were performed by all colonels not having higher rank, procured permission to dispose of the colonelcy of the regiment for fourteen hundred guineas, to his brother-in-law, JAMES EARL of BARRYMORE, whose appointment was dated the 15th of March, 1702, being seven days after the death of King William III., and the accession of Queen Anne. In the middle of April, the Imperialists besieged the strong fortress of _Kayserswerth_ on the Lower Rhine, and the THIRTEENTH regiment was one of the corps which traversed the country to the duchy of Cleves, and joined the covering army, under the Earl of Athlone, encamped at Cranenburg.