| Citation |
NECO.724.017
14-21 Sep 1724:11-2
Think what you list, yet he that trains
Is only taught at for his pains;
For th' honours small, the profit not much
To them that handle gun or Cartouch,. . .
[6 lines, followed by an editorial re. training day in the
Boston Commons. Lines relating the music are given below.]
. . . as I am credibly inform'd, have a respect shown them
suitable to their character: deeds and instruments are
hardly esteem'd authentick, unless their military tales are
express'd, they being counted as essential as the name of
the town and county where the parties dwell. Serjeant,
corporal or Drummers, sound big in a country town, and
command as much veneration from the people, as right
honourable, or right reverend, in our native life. But in
this town of Boston it is not so; for here the prophane
vulgar esteem that offices fit to be sustain'd only by such
as Jeroboam of old advance'd to the priesthood. . .
It is now time that I bring forth the words of the law, and
enquire as to what uses these moneys are appropriated
thereby. See an Act of this province made in the 5th year
of K. William and Q. Mary.
All fines, penalties and forfeitures arising by vertue of
that act, or any breach thereof (not otherwise disposed of
therein) shall be for the use of the regiment, company, or
troup respectively; that is to say for procuring and
repairing drums, trumpets, colours, banners, halberts,
paying of drummers and trumpeters or other charge of the
said company. . .
The next thing before me is, to make an estimate of the
charge which may probably arise in the several companies. .
. And here it may be proper to take notice, in order to
render the matter more clear, that the custom is, for the
officers of each company to have a dinner (when they warn
their companies to train, they have, some of them, a good
supper, with brandy punch, &c. tho' indeed others who
manifest a more laudable frugality, have only rum punch and
bread and cheese. For these charges, with the drummer's
pay, (which can't exceed 50s. in each company per annum)
because I would have them generous, I shall allow them 25 L.
which is 120 L. per annum in the eight companies, and 1200
L. in ten years. . .
I must now look out for drums, colours, and other badges of
honour and distinction; and supposing a new set of these
will last ten years at least, I shall allow them one whole
years revenue in ten to procure the same which after the
clerks pay is deducted, is 480 L. which subtracted from L.
4800 00 0, there remains due to ballance, 4320 00 0. . .
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