# United States Statutes at Large/Volume 2/7th Congress/2nd Session/Chapter 20

Chap. XX.—An Act, more effectually to provide for the organization of the Militia of the District of Columbia.
Militia of Columbia may be organized by the President of the United States.Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That it shall and may be lawful for the President of the United States, whenever an increase of the militia of the territory, or other circumstance, shall in his opinion make it necessary, to lay off the said militia into additional companies, battalions, regiments, or legions and brigades, and shall appoint and commission, during pleasure, the proper officers for the same.
May appoint officers to cavalry, artillery, &c.Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the President of the United States shall, when he may deem it necessary, appoint the proper officers, to compose at least one troop of cavalry, one company or artillery, one company of light infantry, and one company of grenadiers or riflemen, to each legion, which officers shall proceed by voluntary enlistment, within their legion, to complete their company or companies with the least possible delay, and every person belonging to the said companies shall wear, while on duty, such caps, or hats, and uniforms, to be purchased at their own expense, as the commanding officer of the brigade, to which they belong, shall determine on and direct;Uniform how to be provided. and the said companies shall perform the same routine of duty, and be subject to the same rules, regulations, penalties, and orders, as the rest of the militia; the President may, nevertheless, order them, or any of them, out on duty, as occasion, in his opinion, may require, by entire companies:Conditions of enrolment. that no person belonging to any battalion company, shall, under colour of enlisting into any company, to be made up by voluntary enrolment, be excused from doing duty in the infantry, and in the company in which he had been enrolled, or might be enrolled, until he shall have equipped himself for service, in such volunteer company, according to law, and shall have produced a certificate thereof, from the commanding officer of such company, to the commanding officer of the battalion company, to which he did or might properly belong;Whence he cannot withdraw, under a penalty of ten dollars. and no person having enlisted in any volunteer company, shall be permitted to withdraw himself from the same, under the penalty of ten dollars, unless in case of removal from his legionary district, to be recovered as other fines imposed by this act, upon the evidence of the commanding officer of the company, from which he shall so withdraw; which commanding officer shall return all ​such case to the first battalion court of inquiry, that shall sit thereafter. And the commanders of the respective legionsLegionary commanders―their duty. shall direct by order, to the different commanders of battalions, to what battalions the different volunteer companies shall be attached, and shall parade with on battalion duty; and shall direct how they shall be posted on legionary parades, unless differently ordered by the brigadier-general.
Alterations in battalion and company districts, in what cases to be made. Militia districts—how designated.Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That where any battalion or company districts, or alteration in districts actually laid off, may hereafter be found necessary, the commanding officers of legions shall assemble the commanding officers of battalions and companies at some fit and convenient place, and may proceed to lay off or alter any such battalion or company districts, which districts shall in all cases be designated by certain lines and bounds, and recorded by the clerks of the respective courts of inquiry.
Commanding officers of companies shall regulate duty, and how.Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the commanding officers of the companies to proceed forthwith to divide their companies into divisions by ballot, from one to ten, for the purpose of a regular routine of duty when called into actual service, and to return a roster of each division, and its number or rotation, within fifteen days thereafter, to the commanding officer of his battalion, who shall forthwith transmit the same to the commanding officer of the regiment or legion, who shall direct the same to be recorded by the clerk of the court of inquiry. The same regulations shall be observed by every commanding officer of a company, battalion, and legion or regiment, on the subsequent enrolment of any person therein, unless such person shall produce a certificate of his having been before drawn for the above purpose, in which case he shall be enrolled accordingly; and any militia man removing out of the boundsRemoval of militia men how to be notified. Certificates of service provided. of one company into another, shall apply to the commanding officer of the company to which he did belong, who shall give him a discharge, certifying the class wherein he was arranged, and whether he had performed his tour of duty or not, and also the time and date of such service, which certificate the said militia man shall produce to the captain or commanding officer of the company into whose bounds he shall so have removed, within ten days after his settlement, and such officer is hereby required to enrol him in the numerical class specified therein, and every militia man so removing, and failing to produce such certificate, shall be arranged and enrolled in the class destined to perform the next tour of duty; and if any captain or commanding officer of a companyPenalty on refusal or certificate. shall refuse to grant such certificate upon application to him made for that purpose, he shall for such refusal, incur a penalty of thirty dollars, to be assessed and applied as other fines imposed by this act.
Officers shall be sworn into office.Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, That each and every officer appointed, or who may hereafter be appointed, and commissioned, in manner aforesaid, shall, previous to entering on the execution of his office, take the following oath, (to be administered by a justice of the peace, or the court of the county in which such officer resides) to wit:Oath. “I do swear that I will support the constitution of the United States, and faithfully discharge the duties of in the of the militia of the district of Columbia, to the best of my skill and judgment; so help me God.” If the said oath be administered by a justice of the peace,Oath how certified. it shall be his duty to certify the same to the court of his respective county, there to be entered of record by the clerk.
Who shall be enrolled in the militia.Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, That the commanding officers of companies shall enrol every able-bodied white male, between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years, (except such as are exempt from military duty by the laws of the United States) resident within his district; and that in all cases of doubt, respecting the age of any person enrolled ​or intended to be enrolled in any company, the party questioned shall prove his age to the satisfaction of the legionary court of inquiry, within whose bounds he may reside; and it shall at all times hereafter be the duty of every such captain or commanding officer of a company, to enrol every such white male, as aforesaid, and all those who shall, from time to time, arrive at the age of eighteen years, or being of the age of eighteen years, and under the age of forty-five years, (except as before excepted,) shall come to reside within his bounds, and shall, without delay, notify such person of the said enrolment, by a proper non-commissioned officer, by whom such notice may be proved.
Mode of proceeding against delinquents. General courts martial, how constituted for superior officers.Sec. 7. And be it further enacted, That the President of the United States, upon complaint for misconduct, lodged with the department of war, in writing, by any one or more commissioned officers, may at his discretion cause to be arrested, any major-general or brigadier-general, and order a court martial to be composed of all the other general officers, field officers, and captains, or so many of them (having regard to seniority) as shall amount to thirteen, in the militia of the territory; which court martial shall proceed in the same way, and under the same restrictions, as is hereafter provided for the trial of field officers.Field officers and staff. And any major-general or brigadier-general, for misconduct within their own knowledge, or upon complaint lodged in writing, by any commissioned officer, shall have power to arrest any lieutenant-colonel commandant, aid-de-camp, brigade inspector, and major, or any other inferior officer; and the commanding officer of the division or brigade, shall order a court martial, for the trial of such lieutenant-colonel commandant, aid-de-camp, brigade inspector, to be composed of one brigadier-general, and as many lieutenant-colonel commandants, majors, and captains, as shall make up a number not less than thirteen;Their powers. and such courts martial shall proceed to hear and determine on all offences under this act, and may censure or cashier such officer; which sentence shall be final, when approved by the President of the United States. And any brigadier-general,Captains and subalterns. lieutenant-colonel commandant, or major, for misconduct in any captain or subaltern, within his own knowledge, or upon complaint lodged in writing, by any commissioned officer, may arrest such captain or subaltern; and the brigadier or commanding officer of the brigade,Brigade court martial. shall order a brigade court martial, for the trial of such captain or subaltern, to be composed of one or more field officers, and a sufficient number of captains and subalterns, to make up a number not less than thirteen; and such courts martial shall proceed to hear and determine on all offences under this act, and may censure or cashier any officer so tried; which sentence shall be final, when approved by the President of the United States.Evidence, how to be obtained. And for obtaining the necessary evidences for the trials aforesaid, the President of the United States, or the presiding officer for the court martial, (as the case may be) shall issue his summonses; and every person so summoned, failing to attend and to give evidence, shall be subject to, and may be tried by a court martial;Penalties. and if an officer, may at the discretion of a court martial, be cashiered, or fined, not exceeding six months pay, as by law allowed; and if a non-commissioned officer, or soldier, or a person not enrolled, to be reported to the court of inquiry of the regiment, or legion, to which he shall belong, or within whose bounds he shall reside, and be then subject to such fines and penalties as they may think proper to inflict, not exceeding forty dollars.
Courts of inquiry.Sec. 8. And be it further enacted, That there shall be battalion courts of inquiry, to be appointed by the commanding officer of the battalion, for the assessment of fines incurred under this act, in such battalion; and such courts of inquiry shall be held in the months of May, August, and November, in each year,When and how held. at some convenient place within the county, to consist of the commanding officer of the battalion, and the ​commanding officers of companies, which shall belong, or to be attached to such battalion, or a majority of them, who shall take the following oath, to be administered by the presiding officer, and afterwards by any other officer of the court, to him.Oath of members. “I will truly and faithfully inquire into all delinquencies which appear on the returns, to be laid before me, and will assess the fines thereon, as shall seem just, without favour, partiality, or affection, so help me God.” The presiding officer shall then lay before the said court, all the delinquencies, as directed by law, whereupon, they shall proceed to hear and determine. And there shall, moreover,Legionary courts of inuiry. be legionary courts of inquiry, for the assessment of fines incurred by the officers of the legion, and for other duties, required by this act, such courts of inquiry shall be held by the appointment of the commanding officer of the legion, in not less than ten, and not more than twenty days, after the battalion courts of inquiry, in every year; and moreover, one legionary court extraordinary,Extraordinary inquiry court. shall be, in like manner appointed, and held, during the month of March, in the present year, for the purpose of appointing the company musters of the year, and for appointing a clerk, provost marshal, and collector, as herein after directed, and for other duties, by this act prescribed; the said legionary courts of inquiry to consist of the commanding officers of the legion, battalions, and companies, or a majority of them, who shall take an oath, in manner and form, as prescribed above; the commanding officer of the legion shall then lay before the said court, all delinquencies, directed by law, whereupon they shall proceed to hear and determine.Duties of courts of inquiry. It shall be the duty of the presiding officer, of every such court of inquiry, to return to the next legionary court of inquiry, all delinquent officers, failing to attend the preceding court, the be proceeded against according to law. The legionary court of inquiry may,May remit fines and exempt from duty. for good cause shown, remit any fine imposed by the battalion court last preceding; the said court may also exempt any militia man from duty, on account of bodily infirmity, and may again direct such person to be enrolled, when able to do duty.
Clerks and provost marshal, shall be appointed by ballot.Sec. 9. And be it further enacted, That the respective legionary courts of inquiry, shall annually appoint by ballot, a clerk, and provost marshal, who shall attend the courts herein before directed to be held; the clerk shall keep a fair record of the proceedings of such courts, as also of the roster returned by the several captains or commanding officers of companies, for regular routine of duty, and shall make out for the collector, a fair listList of fines to be kept, and by whom. of all the fines assessed by the legionary and battalion courts, and one other list which shall be retained by the clerk, on which list the collector’s receipts shall be taken: the said lists shall be made out and delivered to the collector in fifteen days after each legionary court of inquiry, and shall perform all other duties required by this act, and together with the provost marshal, shall receive such allowance, to be paid out of the fines, as the legionary court shall think reasonable.
Fines incurred heretofore, how disposed of.Sec. 10. And be it further enacted, That all fines incurred under the act of Congress, passed at their last session, empowering the President to organize the militia of the district of Columbia, and not then returned to the officers thereby authorized to collect the same, shall be returned to the first legionary court of inquiry which shall be held in the respective counties, to be by them proceeded with as in the case of fines by this act assessed.
Musters, and at what periods.Sec. 11. And be it further enacted, That there shall be a muster of each troop of cavalry and company of militia, comprehending the companies made up by voluntary enrolment, once in every month, except the months of January, February, March, May, October, and December, in each year, to be appointed by the respective legionary courts of inquiry, at such places as may be deemed most convenient within the county, and that the time and place for the musters aforesaid, shall be ​fixed by the first legionary court of inquiry, which is held next after the passing of this act, subject to such changes as future legionary courts of inquiry may think proper; and there shall be a muster for exercise and inspection of each battalion,Muster of inspection in May. in the month of May, in every year, to be appointed by the commanding officer of the brigade, to which such battalions respectively belong, at such places as he may think proper within the county. There shall also be a muster of each legion in the month of October,Legionary muster in October. in each year, to be appointed by the commanding officer of the brigade, to which such legion belongs, at such place as he may think most convenient within the legionary district;Muster to continue one day only. which said company, battalion, and legionary musters, shall continue one day, and no longer; the time and place of such legionary, company, and battalion musters, shall be notified to the commanding officers of legions, thirty days previous thereto; the commanding officers of legions shall give notice to the commanding officers of battalions,Notice how given, and when. of such brigade, legionary, companies, and battalion musters, at least twenty days; the commanding officers of battalions, to the commanding officers of companies, at least fifteen days; and the commanding officers of companies to their sergeants, at least ten days; and the sergeants to each person in his company, at least three days before such musters, respectively; the notices to be given by the commanding officersNotices in writing to commanding officers. of brigades, legions, battalions, and companies shall be in writing, delivered to each person to be notified, or left at his usual place of abode, and every sergeant failing to give notice, agreeably to the orders of the commanding officer of his company, to each person therein,Penalty on omitting to give notice. shall forfeit and pay for each and every offence, five dollars, to be assessed and recovered as other fines imposed by this act, nevertheless all notices publicly given by the commanding officers of companies, at their respective musters of any subsequent muster, shall be held and deemed as legal notice, as to all persons present at such musters.Appearance at muster. Every officer and soldier shall appear at his respective muster field, on the day appointed, by ten o’clock in the forenoon, armed and equipped. At every muster, the commanding officer of the company shall cause his roll to be called, and shall examine every person belonging thereto, and note down all delinquencies accruing therein, and shall personally inspect the arms, ammunition, and accoutrements, of all under his command, and make accurate return of the whole thereof, to the commanding officer of his battalion, in five days thereafter;Forms to be observed in returns. and moreover, it shall be the duty of the commanding officers of companies, to have their companies respectively prepared, at the battalion musters, for inspection, by means of returns, the forms of which, to be furnished them by the brigade inspector, through the commanding officers of the legion and battalion, to which they respectively belong, which returns shall be filed, ready to be delivered to the inspector, as shall commence the inspection of each company. And the commanding officers of legions and battalions shall, at their respective legionary and battalion musters, (as the case may be) take notice of all delinquent officers, and shall lay the same, together with returns of delinquencies, from the commanding officers of companies, before the courts of inquiry, appointed under this act to take cognizance of, and determine on them: and to each of the said returns, shall be annexed the following certificate, to wit:Returns to be certified. “I do certify, that the returns hereunto annexed, contain all the delinquencies which have occurred since my last return, having duly examined the same.”
Returns of companies, how and when made.Sec. 12. And be it further enacted, That every commanding officer of a company shall, within five days after every battalion and legionary muster, make up and report to the commanding officer of his battalion, a return of his company, in such manner and form as shall be furnished by the adjutant, from time to time; it shall be the duty of commanding officers of battalions, to make like returns to the commanding officers ​Returns of legions.of legions, within five days thereafter, who shall cause the adjutant of his legion to make legionary returns to the brigade inspector, within ten days thereafter.
Non-commissioned officers, appointment of.Sec. 13. And be it further enacted, That each captain or commanding officer of a company, shall appoint to his company, four sergeants, four corporals, a drummer, and fifer, to be approved of by the commanding officer of his battalion: the appointment of such non-commissioned officers to be evidenced by warrant under the hand of the commanding officer of the battalion; and if any person so appointed and approved of, and having accepted, shall refuse or neglect to take uponNeglect of duty, penalty on. him the duties of his appointment, or shall neglect or refuse to obey the orders of his superior officer, he shall for each offence forfeit and pay a sum, at the discretion of the court of inquiry, not exceeding ten dollars, to be assessed and applied as other fines imposed by this act; and the commanding officers of battalions shall have power to reduce to the ranks any non-commissioned officer, whom, on complaint made, and due notice given, he shall find guilty of misconduct, or neglect of duty.
Officers to meet for training once a year.Sec. 14. And be it further enacted, That the commissioned officers of the several legions, shall meet once in every year, within their respective legionary districts, for the purpose of being trained and instructed by the brigade inspector; the days and places of meeting to be fixed on by the commanding officer of the brigade to which the legions belong; the officers thus assembled,Training three days, eldest officer shall call the roll. shall each continue three days, and no longer; every time they are so called out, the eldest officer present shall call the roll on each day, and report the delinquencies to the succeeding legionary court of inquiry, and every officer failing to attend such meeting, on being summoned, not having a reasonable excuse, to be adjudged of by the court of inquiry,Penalty on non-attendance. shall forfeit and pay, for each day he shall fail so to attend, ten dollars, to be appropriated as other fines are by this act.
Misconduct of officers, how treated.Sec. 15. And be it further enacted, That any officer who shall be guilty of disobedience, or other misbehaviour, when on duty, or shall at any time be guilty of any conduct, unbecoming the character of an officer, shall be put under arrest by his commanding officer, and tried as by this act directed.
Non-commissioned officers, how treated for misconduct.Sec. 16. And be it further enacted, That if any non-commissioned officer or soldier, shall behave himself disobediently, or mutinously, when on duty, or before any court or board, directed by this act to be held, or shall leave the ranks without permission of his officer, on any occasion of parading the company to which he belongs, or appear drunk, or use any reproachful or abusive language to his officers, or any of them, or shall quarrel himself, or promote any quarrel among his fellow soldiers, the court or board may confine him for the day, or he shall be disarmed and put under guard, by order of the commanding officer present, until the company is dismissed, as the case may be. And he shall moreover, be fined at the discretion of the court of inquiry,Penalty. in any sum not exceeding ten dollars, nor less than one dollar, to be appropriated as other fines imposed by this act.
Spectators or bystanders interrupting or insulting, liable to punishment. Parade limits.Sec. 17. And be it further enacted, That if any bystander shall interrupt, molest, or insult any officer or soldier, while on duty at any muster, or shall be guilty of like conduct before any court or board, the commanding officer, or such court or board, may cause him to be confined for the day. And that the commanding officer of each brigade, legion, battalion, or company, shall have power to fix certain limits to their respective parades, within which no spectator or bystander shall enter, without permission from the commanding officer, and if any person shall intrude or offend, he shall be liable to be confined during the day, in such manner as the commanding officer shall direct.
Sec. 18. And be it further enacted, That all commissioned officers ​Officers on duty shall be in uniform. Penalty.are required to appear in full uniform when on duty, and on failure, shall forfeit and pay five dollars for each offence, to be assessed and appropriated as other fines imposed by this act.
Brigade inspector.Sec. 19. And be it further enacted, That a brigade inspector, to act as brigade major, and be commissioned with the rank of major, shall be appointed by the President of the United States; and the lieutenant-colonel commandants are hereby authorized to appoint a legionary staff,Legionary staff. to consist of one adjutant, one quartermaster, one paymaster, to be taken from the officers of the line, and one surgeon, one surgeon’s mate, and also, one sergeant major, one quartermaster’s sergeant, one drum major, and one fife major, which appointments shall be evidenced by warrants under the hand of the lieutenant-colonel commandant, and it shall be the duty of the brigade inspector,Duties of brigade inspector. to attend the brigadier-general when required to receive and execute all orders necessary to carry into effect the provisions of this law, and to attend the annual training of the officers, and at the several legionary and battalion musters, and he shall inspect the several battalions belonging to his brigade, to their respective musters, and he shall take an accurate account, from personal inspection, of the quality of the arms and accoutrements, and whether the same are fit or unfit for service, and shall ascertain with precision the bores of muskets; and shall make annual returns in the month of June, of each year, of the state of the militia of the brigade to which he belongs, to the commanding officer of the brigade, to be by him reported to the President of the United States, and upon refusal or neglect, he shall be subject to a fine of thirty dollars,Penalty on neglect of duty. Adjutant, his duty. unless he can make a reasonable excuse to the commanding officer of the brigade. And it shall be the duty of the adjutant to attend and execute the orders of the commanding officer of his legion, necessary to carry into effect the provisions of this law, and to attend the legionary and battalion musters, as also the meeting of the officers within his legion, and upon refusal or neglect, he shall be subject to a fine not exceeding fifteen dollars,Penalty on neglect. nor less than five dollars, at the discretion of the legionary court of inquiry, unless he can make a reasonable excuse to the commanding officer of his legion; and it shall further be the duty of the adjutant to assist generally in the necessary training of the militia, and he, together with the brigade inspector, shall be allowed such compensation as the legionary courts of inquiry may, from time to time, think reasonable, to be paid out o the fund arising from fines.
Delinquencies, forfeitures and penalties on. Commanders of corps.Sec. 20. And be it further enacted, That the following forfeitures and penalties shall be incurred for delinquencies, viz. By a lieutenant-colonel commandant, or commanding officer of a legion, for failing to take an oath to summon any court or board, or failing to give notice of a brigade, legionary or battalion muster; to report delinquencies, to make returns of his legion, shall for each and every such offence or neglect, forfeit and pay a sum not exceeding seventy dollars; for failing to send into service any militia legally called for, three hundred dollars. By a major,Major’s neglect. for failing to take an oath, to attend any court or board, to give notice of any brigade, legionary, or battalion muster, to examine his battalion, to report delinquencies, or to make any return, he shall forfeit and pay for each offence and neglect, a sum not exceeding thirty dollars; and pay for each offence and neglect, a sum not exceeding thirty dollars; for failing to call forth his battalion with due despatch, any detachment of men or officers as shall be required from time to time by the commanding officer of his legion, or any call from the President of the United States, one hundred and fifty dollars.Captain’s neglect. By a captain failing to take an oath, to attend any court, to enrol his men, to give notice of a brigade, legionary, or battalion muster, to attend any muster armed to cause his roll to be called, examine his company and report delinquencies, or to allot his company into divisions, from one to ten, for a regular routine of duty, or to make any return as directed by this act, he ​shall forfeit and pay for each and every offence and neglect, a sum not exceeding twenty dollars; failing to call forth such officers and men, as shall from time to time be legally called from his company, upon any call from the President of the United States, or failing on such occasions to repair to the place of rendezvous, he shall forfeit and pay seventy-five dollars.Subaltern’s neglect. By a subaltern officer, for failing to take an oath, to attend any court or muster, armed as directed, for each and every such offence he shall forfeit and pay a sum, at the discretion of the court of inquiry, not exceeding ten dollars; failing to repair to the place of rendezvous, armed as required, when ordered upon any call from the President, he shall forfeit and pay fifty dollars, to be adjudged of and determined by the respective legionary courts of inquiry.Non-commissioned officer’s neglect. By a non-commissioned officer or soldier, for failing to repair to his rendezvous when ordered upon any call from the President, he shall forfeit and pay a sum not exceeding fifty dollars, to be adjudged of and determined by the respective battalion courts of inquiry, and moreover shall be enrolled in the class destined to perform the next tour of duty: all officers failing as before mentioned,Penalties. shall be subject to be arrested, tried, censured, or cashiered, at the discretion of the battalion courts of inquiry. Any non-commissioned officer or soldier failing to attend at his brigade, legionary, battalion, or company muster, armed and equipped as the law directs, shall forfeit and pay a sum not less than seventy-five cents, nor more than five dollars, at the discretion of the battalion courts of inquiry. If any non-commissioned officer or private shall be returned as a delinquent in not appearing, armed and accoutred as the law directs, the court of inquiry before whom the same shall be tried, may, if it appear reasonable, remit the fine incurred by him, provided every such delinquent shall make it appear that he was unable to procure the legal equipment. Any private at or near the muster ground at any legionary, battalion, or company muster, who shall refuse or neglect to go into the ranks when required, shall forfeit and pay ten dollars.
Fines of persons under age, how paid.Sec. 21. And be it further enacted, That the fines and penalties incurred by infants and apprentices, for the breach or neglect of their duty, in any particular service, by law required of them, shall be paid by the parent, guardian or master.
Legionary court of inquiry to appoint a collector, and when.Sec. 22. And be it further enacted, That the legionary court of inquiry shall, at their first meeting in each year, appoint by ballot, a collector, who shall proceed to collect all fines assessed by virtue of this act, as also, all fines incurred, under the act of Congress, at their last session, empowering the President to organize the militia of the district of Columbia, not previously sent out for collection, upon a list thereof, certified by the clerk of the court of inquiry, and delivered to him in sixteen days after each legionary court of inquiry,Allowance of six per cent. who shall give his receipt therefor, and having deducted a commission of six per centum, shall account for, and pay the residue into the hands of the paymaster, in three months thereafter, and in case of default, to be recovered against the collector, by motion,Collector a defaulter, to be sued, and how. in any court of record within said district, ten days notice of such motion being given to the collector, at the first legionary or regimental court of inquiry, after the time before limited, for accounting and paying to the paymaster as aforesaid, the fines collected by the collector, he shall make return, and report to said court of inquiry, of such fines as cannot be collected, by reason of the insolvency or want of effects of the delinquent or delinquents; and if the said collector shall fail to account for, and pay into the hands of the paymaster as aforesaid, in the time limited as aforesaid, all the residue of the fines by him collected as aforesaid, the whole amount of such fines, including his commission, shall be recovered against him, by motion, in any court of record within this district, ten days previous notice of such motion being given to said collector, and if such collector shall ​fail to make return and report as aforesaid, of such fines as he shall be unable to collect by reason of the causes aforesaid, or shall make a false return and report of the same, the whole amount of the same shall be recovered of said collector, in like manner as if he had actually collected the same.Fines not paid, how recoverable. And should any person so charged with fines, fail to make payment when called on, the collector is hereby authorized to make distress and sale therefor.Collector to give bond and security. The collector shall immediately after his appointment, and before he shall proceed to his collection, give bond and security for the faithful performance of his duty, in such penalty as the court of inquiry may think proper.
Fines to be a fund for salaries of officers, musicians, &c. also for furnishing the necessary equipage, &c.Sec. 23. And be it further enacted, That the fines thus paid into the hands of the paymaster by virtue of this act, shall be held as a fund for defraying the salaries of the officers and other persons herein mentioned, and the maintenance and instruction, and pay of musicians, and of equipping and furnishing the militia with standards and musical instruments, and uniforms in certain cases, with every other thing necessary; to be adjudged and determined by the legionary courts of inquiry, and all accounts passed by the said court, and certified by the lieutenant-colonel commandant, shall be sufficient to authorize the paymaster to pay the same;Paymaster of the legion shall settle his accounts once in three months. Shall give bond and security. Two and an half per centum allowed on disbursements. the paymaster shall keep a regular account of all monies received and disbursed by him on account of the legion, and shall once in every three months, render his accounts, and settle with the court of inquiry. The paymaster shall give bond and security, to be approved of by the court of inquiry, for the faithful performance of his duty, and shall be subject to the same mode of recovery for delinquency as is herein prescribed in the case of a delinquent collector, and shall be allowed a commission of two and an half per centum on the several sums by him disbursed.
President authorized to call forth the militia on an invasion, &c.Sec. 24. And be it further enacted, That the President of the United States be authorized and empowered, on an invasion, or insurrection, or probable prospect thereof, to call forth such a number of militia, and from such county, and in such manner, whether by routine of duty or otherwise, as he may deem proper; and for the accommodation, equipment and support of the militia, so at any time to be called forth, the President of the United StatesAnd to appoint certain officers with pay. may appoint such quartermasters, commissaries, and other staff, as to him shall seem proper, and to fix their pay and allowances, and shall also take such measures for procuring, transporting and issuing all orders which may be necessary. Orders for the militia to be called forth as aforesaid, shall be sent to the commanding officer of the district of Columbia, with a notification of the place or places of rendezvous, who shall immediately take measures for detaching the same, with the necessary number and ranks of officers, by detail and rotation of duty or otherwise, as he may be ordered. Whenever any militia shall be called forth into actual serviceMilitia when called forth, how governed. Courts martial. as aforesaid, they shall be governed by the articles of war, which govern the troops of the United States. And courts martial shall be held as therein are directed, to be composed of militia officers only, for the trial of any person, in the militia, but to the cashiering of any officer, or capital punishment of any person, the approbation of the President of the United States shall be necessary;Pay and rations of the militia. and when any militia shall be in actual service, they shall be allowed the same pay and rations as are allowed by law to the militia of the United States.Power of the commanding officer of the district, in case of invasion or insurrection. If a sudden invasion shall be made into either county in this district, or in case of an insurrection in either county, the commanding officer of the militia of the district, or of such county, is hereby authorized and required to order out the whole or such part of the militia, as he may think necessary, and in such manner as he may think best, for repelling or suppressing such invasion or insurrection; and shall call on the commanding officers of the adjacent counties for such aid as he may think necessary, who shall forthwith and in like ​manner furnish the same; and in the even of any militia ordered out by the commanding officer of a county, or if the district as herein authorized, such officer shall immediately notify the same, and the cause thereof, to the commanding officer of the district, or to the President of the United States, as the case may require.
Arms, &c. always exempt from execution, and persons from civil arrests while in service.Sec. 25. And be it further enacted, That all arms, ammunition, and equipments of militia, shall be exempted from executions and distress at all times, and their persons from arrests and process in civil cases, while going to, continuing at, or returning from musters, and while in actual service.
Brigadier-generals may employ couriers.Sec. 26. And be it further enacted, That the brigadier-generals are hereby empowered and authorized to employ some person within their respective districts, to convey all orders from them to the commanding officers of corps, respecting the militia of the district of Columbia, who shall be exempt from all other militia duty,Their compensation. and shall receive such compensation, as the legionary court of inquiry, in which district such orders may from time to time be delivered, shall think proper, on his producing to the court a certificate of his having discharged the said services.
Non-commissioned officers and privates of battalions shall on duty appear in uniforms,Sec. 27. And be it further enacted, That all non-commissioned officers and privates, belonging to battalion companies, shall appear while on duty, uniformly clothed, the colour and fashion of which uniforms to be determined on for the respective legions, by the first legionary courts of inquiry which shall be held, and to be approved of by the brigadier-general, provided the expense of the same, additional to that of usual, ordinary, and cheap clothing, does not exceed five dollars for each person; and every such non-commissioned officer, or drummer, or fifer, or private, appearing at any muster held after three months from the time that such uniforms shall have been determined on, and the order relative thereto shall have been published, in some newspaper within the legionary district, and not wearing the same,or be fined. shall be fined five dollars for each offence; unless he can make it appear to the satisfaction of the court of inquiry of the battalion to which he may belong, that he was unable to equip himself.
Courts of inquiry may bind young men and boys to learn military music.Sec. 28. And be it further enacted, That the respective courts of inquiry shall have power to cause to be bound for a term of years, to the several commandants of companies, battalions, and legions, and their successors in office, as the case may require, such number of boys and young men, with the consent of their parent or other person authorized, as they in their discretion may deem proper, for the purpose of being instructed in the different branches of military music, and of serving musicians when they may be competent thereto, to the several companies, battalions, and legions;Their fathers exempt from militia duties. and the father of any youth who may be so bound, otherwise subject to be enrolled, shall be exempt from all duty in the militia, so long as his son so bound may continue to serve in the corps to which he would otherwise belong, as well during his apprenticeship as thereafter;Courts of inquiry to provide for the musicians. and the several legionary courts of inquiry shall make provision from time to time for the clothing, maintenance, and the properly instructing all such youths, to be paid from the fund arising from the fines imposed by this act; and the commanding officers of legions, shall cause the drummers and fifers and other musicians of their respective legions, to meet at the same times and places that commissioned officers are required to meet, for the purpose of being trained by the brigade inspector, or other officer, there to be instructed in their respective branches of music, for which purpose the commanding officer of the legion may employ such person or persons as he may think proper and capable to instruct such drummers and fifers, and other musicians.Compensation. The person so to be employed by the commanding officer of the legion, to be allowed such compensation as the legionary court of inquiry may authorize, and each drummer and fifer, and other musician, unless ​an apprentice, shall be allowed during the time they are convened, one dollar per day, to be paid out of the funds arising from fines.
Each commissioned officer to be furnished with the articles of war and militia war.Sec. 29. And be it further enacted, That the Secretary of War shall cause a sufficient number of copies of this law, together with the act of Congress, more effectually to provide for the national defence, by establishing an uniform militia throughout the United States; and the act of Congress for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions; and the articles of war; to be printed and distributed throughout the territory of Columbia, so that every general and field officer therein, and every brigade inspector, and captain, be furnished with one copy each.
Approved, March 3, 1803.