Recruiting Act 1779

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The Recruiting Act 1779 is an Act of Parliament passed by the Parliament of Great Britain. It was a press act for the recruiting of his Majesty's Land Forces. After the losses in the American Revolutionary War and the apprehended hostilities with France, the existing voluntary enlistment measures were judged to be insufficient. It served as a revision of the Recruiting Act 1778.

It raised the bounty £3, 3s. After the expiration of their service, volunteers were exempt form the performance of statue (highway) duty, for service as parish officers, and from service in the army, navy, or militia. They were allowed to set up and exercise any trade in any place in Great Britain.

It enlarged those subject to impressment beyond smugglers and "all able-bodied and disorderly persons" to include those "convicted of running away from and leaving their families chargeable upon the parish". The chief advantage of this act was in the number of volunteers brought in under the apprehension of impressment.

The act received royal assent on February 9, 1779. On May 26, 1780 it was repealed with the exception of the parts relating to volunteers.

[edit] References

• Curtis, Edward, The Organization of the British Army in the American Revolution. 1972, ISBN 0854099069