PURCHASE SYSTEM, a system of ap pointment and promotion for officers, prevailing in the English army from the time of Queen Anne until 1871, when it was abolished by royal warrant. About half of the officers of the army received their appointments under it. It was possible to purchase an ensigncy or cornetcy for £450, a price fixed by government regulation, and subsequent promotion could be purchase'}, as vacancies occurred, up to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. The prices fixed by regulations were as follows: Lientaaantmcalanal 64,500 Major 3.200 Captain .11 Lieutenant 3.
Cornet or Erni= 450 imaimaaamaia Vacancies in certain popular regiments, par ticularly the Guards, commanded fancy prices, but no position could be purchased unless the officer holding it chose to sell. No rank above lieutenant-colonel could be purchased. Death vacancies, vacancies occurring through aug menting a regiment and those resulting from the promotion of colonels to be major-generals were filled without purchase either by seniority or special merit. The purchase system did not
exist in the artillery, engineers, marines, 19th to 21st regiments of cavalry and 101st to 109th regiments of foot.
In the United States army and navy dii Charge by purchase may be secured in peace times by enlisted men in the second year or first six months of the third year of enlistment upon presentation and verification of satis factory reasons. The price of purchase in the first month of the second year is $120, and is $5 less each succeeding month during the period in which discharge may be secured by purchase. The favor will not be granted a second time.