Masse

Fr. A species of stock-purse, which during the French monarchy was lodged in the hands of the regimental treasurer or paymaster, for every serjeant, corporal anspe ade, drummer, and soldier. The sum retained for each serjeant was vingt deniers per day; and ten deniers for each of the other ranks, according to the establishment, not the effective number of each battalion. Out of these stoppages a settled and regular ma e, or stock-purse, was made up, and at the end of every month it was paid into the hands of the major or officer entrusted with the interior management of the corps, and was then appropriated to defray the expence of clothing the different regiments, and lodged in the hands of the directors or inspector-general of clothing. That part of the ma e , or stock-purse, which remained in the major’s hands, and which was destined for the dre of the recruits, as well as for repairs of the regimental clothing, . could never be disposed of, or appropriated, without the knowlege and concurrence of the colonels commandant of regiments, the lieutenant-colonels, and other superior officers of the corps. To this end it was customary for the major to call the commanding officers and oldest captains of the regiments together, in order to lay before them the actual state of the corps, to select some officer who should superintend the repairing of whatever was found nece ary, and defray the lodging-money, . After this statement has been examined, the major must deliver in a faithful account of all the regimental debts that have been incurred; he must further explain how the last amount of the ma e , or stock-purse, has been laid out, and specify the actual sum in hand, that a proper arrangement may be made, and that the repairs in the clothing, and the expences attending quarters, . may be duly ascertained. The major was, on these occasions, directed to give his advice, with due respect and deference to his superior officers, and to suggest the best and cheapest method of fitting out and embellishing the regiment, carefully adhering to that system of œconomy which prevents it from running into debt. The statement of the several articles, with their appropriate expenditure, was specifically drawn out, and counter-signed by the colonel-commandant, and two or three of the oldest captains of companies. Their signatures served as vouchers for the major. By these means all internal cavils and disputes were obviated; the interior œconomy of the corps was well conducted, and a seasonable check was kept upon those officers who had the management of the regiment. Every thing, besides, came in a regular form before the inspector-general, under whose eyes all the accounts were ultimately laid; whether they regarded the recruiting service, or the clothing and distribution of nece aries.