An Act for Regulating of the Militia, §§ 1, 5–6, & 8, 1693 Mass. Acts 21, 21–22 (Bartholomew Green).

“AN ACT,
For Regulating of the Militia.

WHEREAS for the Honour and Service of Their Majesties, and for the Security of this Their Province against any Violence or Invasion whatever; It is necessary that due care be taken that the Inhabitants thereof be Armed, Trained, and in a suitable posture and readiness for the ends aforesaid; and that every Person may know his duty and be Obliged to perform the same,

    Be it therefore Enacted by His Excellency the Governour, Council, and Representatives in General Court Assembled, and it is Ordained and Enacted by the Authority of the same.

    1. That all Male Persons from Sixteen Years of Age to Sixty, (other than such as are herein after Excepted) shall bear Arms and duely attend, all Musters and Military Exercises of the Respective Troops and Companies where they are listed or belong, allowing Three Moneths time to every Son next after his coming to Sixteen years of Age; and every Servant, so long, after his time is out; to provide themselves with Arms and Ammunition...

    ...5. That every listed Souldier and other Householder (except Troopers) shall be always provided with a well fix’d Firelock Musket, or Musket or Bastard Musket bore; The Barrel not less than three feet and a half long, or other good Fire Arms to the Satisfaction of the Commission Officers of the Company, a Snapjack, a Coller  with Twelve Bandeleers or Cartouch box, one Pound of good Powder, Twenty Bullets fit for his Gun, and Twelve Flints, a good Sword  or Cutlace, a Worm and Priming wire fit for his Gun; on penalty of Six Shillings for want of such Arms as is hereby required, and Two Shillings for each other defect, and the like sum for every four weeks he shall remain unprovided; and the Fine to be paid by Parents for their Sons under Age and under their Command; and by Masters or heads of Familiies, for their Servants, other than Servants upon Wages.

    6. That every Troopers shall be always provided with a good serviceable Horse of Five Pounds Value, and not less than Fourteen hands high, (the same to be determined by the two Chief Commission Officers) Covered with a good Sadle, Bit, Bridle, Holsters, Pectoral and Crooper; and furnished with a Carbine, the Barrel not less than two Foot and half long, with a Belt and Swivel, a  case of good Pistols; with a Sword or Cutlace, a Flask or Cartouch-box; one Pound of good Powder, three Pounds of Sizeable Bullets, Twenty Flints, and a good Pair of Boots and Spurs; on penalty of Twelve Shillings for want of such Horse  as is hereby ordered, and three Shillings a Piece for every other defect, and the like Sum for every Six-weeks he shall remain unprovided: and that each Trooper list his Horse, and shall not dispose thereof without the consent of his Chief Officer on the Penalty of Five Pounds: And for non Appearance at the time and place appointed for exercise, every listed Trooper for each dayes neglect shall pay Ten Shillings Fine...

    ...8. That Regimental Musters shall be but once in three years, (Except in Boston) And every Captain or Chief Officer of any Company or Troop in any Regiment, shall be obliged on penalty of Five Pounds, to draw forth his Company or Troop or Cause them to be drawn forth Four dayes Annually, and no more to Exercise them in Motions, the use of Arms, and Shooting at Marks, or other Military Exercises, which every person libale to Train having been duely Warned, and not appearing, and attending the same, shall for each dayes neglect pay a Fine of Five Shillings.”