The powers of the constable as a field officer, were extremely ample and dignified. The constable was subordinate only to the king in the command of the army; and even when the king was actually in the field, the efficient command of the troops seems to have been in this officer, and all the general orders were issued jointly in the sovereign’s name and in the constable’s.
CONSUL. The person invested with the powers of the consulate.
| Consul chief, or | - | |
| premier Consul, Fr. |
The first or chief magistrate of three persons, each bearing the title of consul, according to the constitution of France, in 1799, the chief consul commanded, directed, and superintended all the military establishments of the country, and whenever it was judged expedient led the armies into battle. Bonaparte, was appointed chief consul; but soon after emperor.
CONSULAR, relating, or appertaining to the consul.
CONSULATE, a civil and military power which was originally instituted by the Romans, on the extinction of their kings in Tarquin the Proud. It has been revived in France, and was the principal feature of the last constitution.
CONSULSHIP. The office of consul.
CONTACT, a touching, or the point or points where one body touches another.
CONTINGENT, something casual or uncertain, that may or may not happen.
The Contingent bill of a regiment, is an account of extra charges, which depend on the accidental situation or circumstances, which may attend any regiment in its due course of service. See [Recruiting].