WAR OFFICE,
PALL MALL,
_May 12, 1859_.
Her Majesty’s Government having had under consideration the propriety
of permitting the formation of volunteer rifle corps, under the
provisions of the Act of 44 George III., cap. 54, as well as of
artillery corps and companies in maritime towns in which there may be
forts and batteries, I have the honour to inform you that I shall be
prepared to receive through you, and consider any proposal with that
object, which may emanate from the county under your charge.
The principal and most important provisions of the Act are:
That the corps be formed under officers bearing the commission of the
lieutenant of the county.
That its members must take the oath of allegiance before a
deputy-lieutenant or justice of the peace, or a commissioned officer of
the corps.
That it be liable to be called out in case of actual invasion, or
appearance of an enemy in force on the coast, or in case of rebellion
arising out of either of those emergencies.
That while thus under arms its members are subject to military law
and entitled to be billeted and to receive pay in like manner as the
regular army.
That all commissioned officers disabled in actual service are entitled
to half pay, and non-commissioned officers and privates to the benefit
of Chelsea Hospital, and widows of commissioned officers, killed in
service, to such pensions for life as are given to widows of officers
of Her Majesty’s regular forces.
That members cannot quit the corps when on actual service, but may do
at any other time by giving fourteen days’ notice.
That members who have attended eight days in each four months, or a
total of twenty-four days’ drill and exercise in the year, are entitled
to be returned as effectives.
That members so returned are exempt from militia ballot, or from being
called upon to serve in any other levy.
That all property of the corps is legally vested in the commanding
officer, and subscriptions and fines under the rules and regulations
are recoverable by him before a magistrate.
The conditions on which Her Majesty’s Government will recommend to Her
Majesty the acceptance of any proposal are:
That the formation of the corps be recommended by the lord-lieutenant
of the county.
That the corps be subject to the provisions of the Act already quoted.
That its members undertake to provide their own arms and equipments,
and to defray all expenses attending the corps, except in the event of
its being assembled for actual service.
That the rules and regulations which may be thought necessary be
submitted to me, in accordance with the fifty-sixth section of the Act.
The uniform and equipments of the corps may be settled by the members,
subject to your approval, but the arms, though provided at the expense
of the members, must be furnished under the superintendence and
according to the regulations of this department, in order to secure a
perfect uniformity of gauge.
The establishment of officers and non-commissioned officers will be
fixed by me, and recorded in the books of this office, and in order
that I may be enabled to determine the proportion, you will be pleased
to specify the precise number of private men which you will recommend,
and into how many companies you propose to divide them.
I have only to add that I shall look to you, as Her Majesty’s
lieutenant, for the nomination of proper persons to be appointed
officers, subject to the Queen’s approval.
I have the honour to be, etc.,
Your most obedient servant,
J. PEEL.
TO HER MAJESTY’S LIEUTENANT FOR
THE COUNTY OF ----.