§ 1. Be it enacted &c. That each and every free, able-bodied white male citizen of this state, who is or shall be of the age of eighteen, and under the age of forty-five years, except as hereinafter excepted, shall severally and respectivley be enrolled in the militia, by the captain or commanding officer, within whose bounds such citizen shall reside, within twenty days next after such residence, and it shall, at all times hereafter, be the futy of such captain or commanding officer of such company, to enrol every such citizen as aforesaid, and also, those who may, from time to time, arrive at the age of eighteen years, or being of the age of eighteen yars and under the age of forty-five years, except as is hereinafter excepted, shall come tor eside within his bounds; and [he] shall without delay notify such citizen of the said enrolment, by a non-commisssioned officer of the company, by whom such notice may be proven, and every citizen so enrolled and notified, shall within twelve months thereafter, provide himself with a good musket or fusee, a sufficient bayonet and belt, a knapsack and two spare flints, a pouch with a box therein, to contain not less than twenty-four cartridge suited to the bore of his musket or fusee, each cartridge to contain aproper quantity of powder and ball; or a good rifle, knapsack, pouc and powder-horn, with twenty-four balls, suited to the bore of his rifle, and a quarter of a pound of powder; and every enrolled person shall so appear armed, accoutred and provided when called into actual service, except when called out to exercise only, he may appear without knapsack or ammunition; the field officer shall be armed with a sword or hanger, and platoon officers with a sword or hanger, or espontoon, and every citizen so enrolled, and providing himself with arms, ammunition and accoutrements required as aforesaid, shall hold the same exempt from all suits, distresses, executions or sale for debt, damages, or the payment of taxes.