TREPAN, Fr. An instrument which is used to find out the quality of any ground into which beams or sticks are to be driven. Also an instrument used in surgery.
TREPIGNER, Fr.. To clatter. In horsemanship it is used to describe the action of a horse who beats the dust with his fore-feet in managing, without embracing the vault; who makes his motions and time short and near the ground, without being put upon his haunches. This defect is usually occasioned by a weakness in the shoulders.
TRESOR, Fr. The military chest.
TRESORIER, Fr. Paymaster. There were formerly on the French military establishment two classes of paymasters, viz. Trésoriers de l’ordinaire, et trésoriers de l’extraordinaire, paymasters or treasurers for the ordinary expences of the service, and ditto for the extraordinary. The latter were accountable to government for a just distribution of stores and provisions, and gave in their estimates and vouchers to the comptroller general’s office in Paris. These were formerly called Clercs du trésor ou payeurs, clerks attached to the military chest or paymasters. They were partly the same as our paymasters and commissaries-general on service.
During the monarchy in France there were several treasurers or paymasters-general in ordinary belonging to the army, who had their several departments, viz.
Tresoriers de la gendarmerie et des troupes de la maison du roi, Fr. Treasurers or paymasters attached to the gens d’armes and the king’s household.
Tresoriers de l’extraordinaire des guerres, Fr. Treasurers or paymasters of the extraordinaries of the army.
Tresoriers des Maréchaussées de France, Fr. Treasurers or paymasters of the marshalsey or armed police of France.
Tresoriers payeurs des troupes, Fr. Treasurers or paymasters-general of the forces.
Tresoriers des gratifications, Fr. Treasurers or paymasters of compensations, gratuities, &c.