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accoutrements in the same manner as the men of the Battalions
are to be armed and provided, and their Colonels and they are
as aforesaid responsible.
That every able bodied effective Freeman within this Prov-
ince between Sixteen and fifty years of age, (Clergymen of all
denominations, practising physicians, the Household of His
Excellency the Governor, Minute and Artillery men, and such
persons who from their religious principles cannot bear arms
in any case, excepted) as soon as may be, and at farthest
before the fifteenth day of September next, shall enrol himself
in some Company of Militia, in the following Form to wit,
" We whose names are subscribed do hereby enrol ourselves
into a Company of Militia, agreeable to the Resolutions of the
Provincial Convention held at Annapolis the 26th day of July
1 775, and we do promise and engage, that we will respectively
march to ,such places within this Province, and at such times
as we shall be commanded by the Convention or the Council
of Safety of this Province, or by our Officers in pursuance of
the orders of the said Convention or Council; and there, with
our whole power fight against whomsoever we shall be com-
manded by such authority as aforesaid. Witness our Hands
this day of 1775.
That each Company of Militia consist of such Officers as are
recommended by former Resolutions of the Convention, and
of about 68 privates.
That each Company already formed, if it now is, or before
the fifteenth day of September next shall be made up to fifty
privates or upwards, and shall have subscribed the said form
of enrolment, shall confirm their Election of Officers already
made, or elect others in their stead, by Ballot, as they shall
think proper; and that officers be so chosen for all Companies
which shall be hereafter formed, as recommended by the said
former Resolves; after which confirmation and Elections, and
before the first day of October next, each Captain of Militia
shall transmit a Roll of his Company to the Committee of
Observation, which shall be appointed for his County, who shall
as soon as may be, transmit a memorandum or certificate of
the names of the Captain, Lieutenants and Ensign, and of the
numbers of non-commissioned Officers and privates, to the
Council of Safety, in order that commissions may issue in the
name of the Convention, to those Officers, which shall be done
by the same convention, or Council of Safety as aforesaid.
That no Company shall exceed the number of 74 Privates,
or consist of less than fifty, and if a greater number than 74
shall be enrolled in any one Company, then the Enrolment of
any, after the first 68 effective privates, shall be deemed void ;
and such shall enrol in some other Company; and if a number
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