Constitution of corps—Master artificers—Officers—Rank and post of the corps—Captains of companies, stations—Allowance to Captains, Adjutants—Recruiting—Labourers—“Richmond’s whims”—Progress of recruiting—Articles of Agreement—Corps not to do garrison duty—Sergeant-majors—John Drew—Alexander Spence—Uniform dress—Working dress—Hearts o’pipe-clay—“The Queen’s bounty”—Arms, &c.—Distinction of ranks—Jews' wish. The King’s authority “for establishing a corps of royal military artificers,” alluded to in the preceding chapter, was conveyed in a warrant, dated 10th October, 1787, to Charles Duke of Richmond. It was to consist of six companies of 100 men each. The constitution of each company, and the pay of its different ranks were fixed as follows:— s. d. 1 Sergeant-major 2 3 a-day } 3 Sergeants each 1 9 ” } 4 Corporals each 1 7 ” } 2 Drummers } } _Privates_— { } Working-pay, in addition, 12 Carpenters { } not exceeding 9_d._ a-day 10 Masons { } to each non-commissioned 10 Bricklayers { } officer and man for the 5 Smiths { each 0 9 ” } days actually employed on 5 Wheelers { } the works. 4 Sawyers { } 8 Miners { } 2 Painters { } 2 Coopers { } 2 Collar-makers. { } 30 Labourers each 0 6 ” } The sergeants consisted of a carpenter, a mason, and a smith, who were styled masters; and the corporals were a master bricklayer and a master wheeler, one foreman of miners and a foreman of labourers.[74] The civil master artificers had the offer of enlisting and being appointed to these ranks. Those who refused were discharged as soon as the military establishment was complete. ----- Footnote 74: Thus the higher branches of promotion were reserved to the three first classes of tradesmen, and none but men of the latter trades were promoted to the rank of corporals. This rule, though enforced as much as practicable, was necessarily deviated from in the lapse of a few years for the benefit of the service. ----- Officers of the royal engineers were appointed to command the corps. All serving at the particular stations at which the companies were forming were attached to do duty with them. When required to parade with other regiments, the corps was directed to take post next on the left of the royal artillery. The officers were to fall in with the corps.[75] ----- Footnote 75: