COMMISSAIRE _provincial en l’Arsenal de Paris, au départment de l’Isle de France_. Provincial commissary belonging to the arsenal in Paris. This officer received his commission from the grand master, in whose gift the situation lay, and had the exclusive privilege of being rendered privy to every alteration or movement that was made in the arsenal. COMMISSAIRE _général des poudres et salpêtres_, _Fr._ Commissary general of gun-powder and saltpetre. COMMISSAIRE _général des fontes_, _Fr._ Commissary general of the Founderies. COMMISSAIRES _des guerres_, _Fr._ Commissaries of the war departments or muster masters general. COMMISSAIRES _ordinaires des guerres_, _Fr._ Commissaries in ordinary, or deputy muster masters. These were subordinate to the former, and were entrusted with the superintendance of hospitals, to see that proper provisions were procured for, and distributed among the sick. They likewise gave proper vouchers to account for the absence of soldiers, and regulated what number of extraordinary waggons should be furnished to the troops on marches. COMMISSAIRES _provinciaux et ordinaires des guerres_, _Fr._ Provincial or ordinary commissaries of war. Specific duties were attached to their appointments, the discharge of which was principally confined to the different provinces. COMMISSAIRES _des guerres entretenus dans l’hotel des invalides_, _Fr._ Commissaries of war, specifically attached to, and resident in the hotel des invalides. It was their duty to keep a regular roll, containing all the names of the different officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers who might be detached on garrison duty, &c. which return was made monthly by them to the secretary at war. Each commissary at every review or inspection of the corps of invalids, had particular directions to mark out those men who appeared capable of serving; and a regular return to that effect was made to the secretary at war. COMMISSAIRE _des vivres_, _Fr._ Commissary of stores. The commissary of stores had several deputies, who acted immediately under, and were in every respect accountable to him for the management of their trust. COMMISSAIRE _general des fortifications_, _Fr._ Commissary general of Fortifications. This was a very important situation during war, as it was the duty of the commissary general to trace the lines of circumvallation, &c. at the siege; to determine upon the mode of attack and defence, and to see, that the necessary repairs were made. COMMISSARY, in military affairs, is of various denominations, though generally a civil officer appointed to inspect the musters, stores, and provisions for the army. In war-time their number is proportioned to the service required.