PURCHASE. The sale and purchase of commissions is countenanced by government, and the prices of those commissions are regulated by authority, yet there are various ways through which young men of fortune and connexions get over the heads of veteran officers in the British army. In 1809, the detection of a system of purchase from the concubines of the British commander in chief excited astonishment.
Purchase and sale are terms unknown in the British navy.
PURSE, (with the grand signor,) a gift, or gratification of 500 crowns.
Purse of money, (in the Levant) about 112l. sterling. It is so called, because all the grand signor’s money is kept in leather purses or bags of this value in the seraglio.
PURSEVANT, from the French poursuivant, a sort of serjeant at arms, who is ready to go upon any special occasion, or to carry any special message. His general office is to apprehend a person who has been guilty of an offence.
PURSUIT, the act of following with hostile intention.
PURVEYOR of Public Supplies, a civil officer whose duty it is to purchase what is required for public service, as military clothing, medicine, equipments; the troops of the United States have for a few years became worse clad than formerly, owing to the scandalous abuse of economy in the purveyor; and overlooked in the military department; a few years since no troops in the world were better provided for.
Purveyor, a person employed in the quarter-master or commissary general’s department in the British service. Likewise one belonging to a military hospital, whose duty it is to provide food and necessaries for the sick.
To PUSH, to make a thrust.
To PUSH back, to force an enemy to retreat.