Marine - A general name for the navy of a kingdom or state; as also the whole economy of naval affairs; or whatever respects the building, rigging, arming, equipping, navigating, and fighting ships. It comprehends also the government of naval armaments, and the state of all persons employed therein, whether civil or military. .
Marine, or Marine-Forces, a body of troops employed in the sea-service employed in the sea service, under the direction of the lords of the Admiralty.
Falconer's Marine Dictionary.
On November 10, 1775, the Continental Congress passed a number of resolutions, many dealing with Nova Scotia. Earlier in November, the Congress received a petition from the people of Passamaquoddy, Nova Scotia informing Congress that they had formed a Committee of Safety and expressed an interest in joining in association with America. Of the revolutions passed that day, five of the resolutions dealt specifically with the possibility of seizing whatever stores of warlike materiel were available. The first resolution essentially authorized a reconnaissance party of two to evaluate what was in Nova Scotia and what was the temperament of the local people. The fourth resolution is what was different. What made this resolution different was the nature of its mandate:.
Resolved. That two battalions of Marines be raised consisting of one colonel, two lieutenant colonels, two majors, and other officers, as usual in other regiments; that they consist of an equal number of privates with other battalions; that particular care be taken that no persons be appointed to offices or enlisted into such battalions but such are good seamen or so acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve with advantage by sea when required; that they be enlisted wan commissioned to serve for and during the present war between Great Britain and the colonies unless dismissed by order o f Congress; that they be distinguished by the names of the First and Second Battalions of American Marines.
