Ma ter

general of the ordnance. See Ordnance. Baggage - MASTER and inspector of roads , an appointment in the British service. Barrack - MASTER - general , an officer with the rank of a major general in the British army, vested with considerable powers. These powers were formerly exercised by the board of ordnance, but they were transferred to the barrack-master-general by the secretary at war on the 30th day of May, 1794. In 1795 the two warrants, whereby all matters relative to the government of barracks had been partially entrusted to the board of ordnance, and a barrack-master-general, were revoked, and the following rules, orders, powers, and directions were established in lieu thereof, in as much as regards the duties of the department entrusted to the barrack-master-general to the British forces. It is the duty of the barrack-master-general to erect and keep in repair all barracks that are not in fortified places; and all supplies of barrack furniture, utensils, and other stores for the troops, are to be furnished by him. The accommodation for royal artillery in barracks is under the direction of the barrack-master-general, excepting at Woolwich, or wherever there may be a separate barrack for the artillery, or a fixed station for that corps. The commanding officers in barracks are, in all matters relative to the accommodation, disposition, and supply of the troops stationed therein, to be under the direction of the barrack-master-general; and all applications and requisitions are to be made to him. Whenever any damage, except from fair wear and tear, has been done to barrack buildings, or any of the furniture or utensils have been injured, destroyed, or embezzled, a just estimate must be formed by the barrack-master; and if his demand be not immediately paid by the commanding officer, it shall be verified by affidavit of the barrack-master, submitted to the commanding officer, and if the answer be not satisfactory, the barrack-master-general is to certify the amount of the expence of making good the said injury to the secretary at war, in order that he may direct the same to be charged against the regiment, or detachment concerned. In order to prevent the inconveniencies and injury which might arise from officers making alterations in the barrack-rooms, . the barrack-master-general is directed to have the use, for which each room is intended, lettered on the door; and if any officer shall attempt to make any alteration in any room, or convert it to any purpose, other than is so specified, or remove any of the furniture belonging thereto, the barrack-master (who shall always be permitted to visit the rooms at seasonable hours, whenever he desires so to do,) shall represent the same to the commanding officer, and in case immediate attention is not paid thereto, the barrack-master is strictly commanded immediately to report it to the barrack-master-general. And when any room shall not be occupied, the same shall be locked up, and no part of the furniture be removed therefrom. No officer, or barrack-master, is, upon any account, to make any alteration or repairs at any barrack, or cause any expence to be incurred in providing any article relative thereto, without the direction of the barrack-master-general first obtained for that purpose. On the 25th of March, 24th of June, 23d of September, and 24th of December, in every year, regular returns are to be transmitted by the barrack-masters to the barrack-master-general, of the state of the barracks, and of the furniture and utensils, both in use and store, specifying the actual condition of each, and the manner in which the apartments of the barrack or barracks, under their care have been occupied for the three months preceding; which return shall be countersigned by the commanding officers, who are directed personally and diligently to inspect the same. The barrack-master-general is to take care, that a proper quantity of good and sufficient firing, candles, and other stores, be provided for each barrack every year. And the same is to be duly delivered out to the troops by the respective barrack-masters, at such times, and in such proportions, as are specified in the general regulations. The deliveries are to be vouched, not only by certificates of the actual amount, but also by accurate returns, stating the number in every troop, company or detachment, present at each weekly delivery. The said certificates and returns are to be given under the hand of the commanding officer in the barracks, and to be transmitted with the accounts. And a return thereof is without delay to be transmitted by the several barrack-masters, who from thenceforth are to remain accountable for the same to the barrack-master-general. Half-yearly accounts of expenditures, with general returns of the receipts and i ues, and the nece ary vouchers for the same, are to be made up to the 24th of June, and 24th of December, in each year, and to be transmitted, within fourteen days after the said periods, to the barrack-master-general, who is to examine and settle the same without delay. The i ue of forage to the cavalry, is to be made according to a prescribed regulation. The officer commanding in each of the cavalry barracks, where forage shall be i ued, is to transmit to the barrack-master-general a weekly return of the number of horses for which it has been delivered; and also the name and rank of each officer, with the number of horses for which he has received rations of forage. And at such periods as shall be required, by the barrack-master-general, the said commanding officer shall transmit to him, a general statement of the quantity of forage received and actually i ued to the troops, the said certificate to be according to such form as shall be prescribed by the barrack-master-general. Whenever small beer is to be i ued to troops in barrack, it can only be supplied by such persons as shall have been approved by the barrack-master-general; and the delivery is to be vouched by a weekly return from the commanding officer, stating the number to whom it has been i ued. And at such periods as shall be required by the barrack-master-general, the said commanding officer is to transmit to him a general statement of the quantity of small beer actually i ued to the troops; the said certificate to be according to such form, as shall be prescribed by the barrack-master-general. Every instance of neglect or misconduct which may occur in the management of barracks, must be reported to the barrack-master-general by the several officers commanding in barracks; and on the representation being judged sufficiently weighty, an inspector is to be sent down for the specific purpose of seeing every matter of complaint removed. The barrack-master-general is authorised to take cognizance of all matters relative to accommodation, disposition, and supply, of the troops stationed in barracks, reporting thereupon, whenever it may be requisite, to the secretary at war, for the king’s information. And all officers, and barrack-masters, are directed and enjoined to obey such orders and directions as the barrack-master-general shall find nece ary to be given thereon. The barrack-master-general is from time to time to receive imprests of money, for the current services of each year, upon estimates signed by him, and delivered into the office of the secretary at war. And at the end of each year, he shall make up and deliver into the said office, a general account of barrack expenditures for the preceding twelve months. The half-yearly accounts of the several barrack-masters, and the accounts of other persons to whom monies shall have been paid within the period on behalf of the barrack department (for the propriety, justne , and accuracy of which, as also for their strict conformity to the regulations, he shall be held responsible,) together with their acquittances, shall be the vouchers upon which the said general accounts shall be pa ed, and warrants shall be made out according to the royal sign manual. See pages 69 to 80, General Regulations. Quarter - MASTER of the victuals . The person who had the chief care and management of the provisions belonging to an army was formerly so called. See Purveyor . Scout - Master - general . A person, formerly so called, under whose direction all the scouts and army me engers were placed. The appointment does not exist at present.