LAWS OF MARYLAND.

145

true and faithful to the state of Maryland, and that I will diligently
and faithfully do and perform the several duties assigned to me as------
in the militia of the state of Maryland, and execute the several provi-
sions of this law according to the best of my skill and abilities, so
help me God," and a certificate of his having done so, shall be endors-
ed on the commission by the person who may have administered such
oaths, and all officers hereafter commissioned shall take the like
oaths, and have the like certificate thereof, endorsed on their commis-
sions, which they shall report in writing, if a major general to the
commander in chief, if a brigadier general to the commanding officer
of the division, if regimental field officers or brigade staff of-
ficers, to the commanding officers of their respective brigades, and if
company or regimental staff officers, to the commanding officers of their
respective regiments, previous to their entering on any of their res-
pective duties; and if any officer shall neglect or refuse to comply with
the provisions of this section as required of him, he shall be liable

Dec. Ses. 1823

to be cashiered or fined not exceeding one hundred dollars, in the dis-
cretion of such court martial as the case may require.

Penalty.

55. And be it enacted, That no commissioned officer charged
with any violation of this act, for which he might be cashiered, shall
be suffered to do duty in the division, brigade, regiment or company
to which he belongs, nor to resign his commission whilst under such
charge, until he has had his trial by a court martial; and every person
so charged filial be tried as soon as a court martial can conveniently
be assembled, and shall be furnished by his brigade inspector, adju-
tant of his regiment or other person as the case may require, with a
copy of the charges exhibited against him at least ten days before
his trial; and in case any delinquent being duly notified of the time
and place of any such court martial, shall refuse or neglect to attend,
the said court martial is authorised and empowered to proceed to the
trial of such delinquent, in the same manner as if he were personally
present; Provided nevertheless, that the said delinquent shall have pow-
er of making his excuse in writing or otherwise in cases where he is
prevented from attending said court by sickness or absence from said
city.

Officers
charged with
offenses.

56. And be it enacted, That the commanding officer of each regi-
ment shall notify in writing the brigade inspector of his brigade or
cause such notice to be left at his residence, of the place of his regi-
mental parade as established by this act, at least three days previous
thereto; and it shall be the duty of the said brigade inspector to at-
tend said meeting, and to inspect the said regiment, or if prevented
by sickness or some such sufficient excuse other than business he
shall appoint such officer of the said brigade as will execute said duty;

Notice to bri-
gade inspec-
tor.

His duty.

ana for the purpose of making the return hereinafter directed, the com-
manding officer of each regiment, shall within ten days after such
inspection make return to the said inspector, of all arms and accou-
trements the property of the state, designating such as are fit for
service, and also of all private arms and accoutrements, and the com-
panies and corps by which they are held; and the commanding officer
of each company shall make such reports as the commanding officer
aforesaid may require for said purpose; and the said brigade inspec-
tor shall on or before the first day of December thereafter, make a
consolidated return thereof to the commanding officer of the divi-

Returns.

sion, who shall within thirty days thereafter make a consolidated re-
turn of all arms and accoutrements as aforesaid to the adjutant ge-

Consolidated
returns.