MAY 1781 -- 5th of COMMONWEALTH

Chap. XX.

An act for enlisting soldiers to serve in the continental army.

BE it enacted. That the governor, with the advice of council, immediately upon the passing of this act, shall proceed to appoint some discreet officer or officers in the respective counties within the state, to recruit by voluntary enlistments, any number of soldiers not exceeding the number of three thousand, for the term of two years or during the war; each soldier to be five feet four inches high, not being a deserter nor subject to fits, of able body and sound mind, fit for immediate service.   The recruiting officers shall be allowed all reasonable expences incurred whilst in discharge of duty, to be examined and settled by the auditors of public accounts, and a warrant shall issue to the treasurer for the payment of any sum so expended as to them shall seem just and reasonable. For every soldier enlisted as above described the recruiting officer shall be entitled to the sum of twenty shillings in specie, or the value thereof in paper money. The governor, with the advice of council, shall have power to advance any sum of money necessary for the full execution of this act, either to the officers aforesaid or to some other proper person in each respective county where the recruiting business shall be, first taking bond and good security if necessary for the faithful application of the same. The men when enlisted shall be entitled to subsistence from the day of their enlistment.

And be it enacted. That every soldier who shall enlist to serve in the continental army for the term of two years or during the war, shall be allowed the sum of ten thousand dollars, to be paid down as soon as he is sworn for that purpose, and shall also be entitled to all other immunities that other continental soldiers are. The governor, with advice of council, shall appoint the place of rendezvous and also a proper officer to take a review of all the troops that are enlisted, and shall order the same to be marched on to join the army with all possible expedition. If upon a review any soldier shall be deemed unfit for service, the officer so recruiting him shall be responsible for the bounty money or find another in his room. The time of service shall begin from the date of the review, and not sooner.