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General Orders.

THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF, is highly pleased with the martial Spirit which pervades the greater part of the Officers and other patriotic Citizens, composing the Militia of this Commonwealth, and he hopes they will not relax in their laudable efforts to become the effective Guardians of the safety and welfare of their Country--he expects that every Officer will exert himself to organize, and completely array, the Corps to which he respectively belongs, before the exercises of the season come on; so that the whole may be in a condition to perform the several Duties required of them by Law.

To promote this valuable purpose, by preventing untimely Resignations of Officers, and to avoid the disorders frequently occasioned by the Elections of Officers at improper times of the Year:--

THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF, recommends - That all Officers inclining to resign their Commissions, be permitted to do it before the Month of April [italics], annually; and not in the seasons of exercise, except in extraordinary cases;- and that all vacant offices be filled up if possible, before the time proper for Military duties, commences.

ALL Resignations will be made to the Major-Generals, who will transmit such as are approved, to the Office of the Adjutant General, that they may be laid before the Commander in Chief, for his acceptance and discharge; and no Officer will be discharged, but by his Order.-- But in cases of vacancy by removal, trial [crossed out], or disability, the Major-generals will cause them to be filled up without delay.

THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF, being apprehensive that the Orders affecting the Militia at large, have not in some instances been sufficiently diffused in all the Divisions, thinks proper to direct:-- That such Orders as are of a general nature, be hereafter distributed to all Officers commanding Corps, even Captains of Companies, and that all other Orders be distributed, at least so far, as that all who are concerned, may follow them ["govern themselves" crossed out] in a regular manner, and in sufficient season.

Boston 28 Jan. 1791- By Order of the Commander in Chief Wm. Donnison, Adj. Gen.