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Chapter LXXXVI.- An act making further provision for the Army of the United States. May 16, 1812

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President of the United States be, and he hereby is authorized and empowered to appoint so many district paymasters as, in his judgment, the service may require; and if such paymasters are taken from the line of the army, they shall respectively receive thirty dollars per month, in addition to their pay in the line: Provided, the same shall in no case exceed the pay and emoluments of a major; and if not taken from the line, they shall receive the same pay and emoluments as a major of infantry.

SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That the President of the United States be, and he hereby is authorized and empowered to appoint a paymaster to each regiment on the peace establishment, who shall receive the same pay and emoluments as a captain of the regiment to which he belongs: Provided, that all district and regimental paymasters shall be subject to the rules and articles of war, and give such bonds to the United States as the Secretary for the department of War may direct, for the faithful performance of their duties. And it shall be the duty of the commanding officer, when requested by the paymaster, to furnish a capable non-commissioned officer or soldier to aid him in the discharge of his duty, who, while so employed, shall receive double pay.

SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That the President of the United States be, and he hereby is authorized to appoint, from the captains and subalterns of the line of the army, so many sub-inspectors as the service may require, not exceeding one to each brigade; and such sub-inspectors shall each receive twenty-four dollars per month in addition to his pay in the line.

SEC. 4. And be it further enacted, That each brigade major, provided by law, shall be allowed twenty-four dollars per month, in addition to his pay in the line.

SEC. 5. And be it further enacted, That the general, commanding the army of the United States, shall be allowed a secretary, to be taken from the line of the army, who shall receive twenty-four dollars per month in addition to his pay in the line, and shall be allowed forage for two horses.

SEC. 6. And be it further enacted, That in addition to the non- commissioned officers and privates allowed to the regiment of light artillery, each company shall be entitled to twelve drivers of artillery, who shall be enlisted for five years, unless sooner discharged, and receive the same pay, rations and clothing, as the privates of the army: Provided, such drivers of artillery shall, at all times, be liable to do duty in the ranks when the company shall not be mounted.

SEC. 7. And be it further enacted, That so much of the "act for establishing rules and articles for the government of the armies of the United States," as authorizes the infliction of corporeal punishment, by  stripes or lashes, be, and the same hereby is repealed.

APPROVED, May 16, 1812.

By James Madison

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Source of Information

Library of Congress