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Good article by historian Robert Churchill
It's here.
Among other things, he uncovers evidence of Revolutionary era "impressment" of arms -- the same term used for, well, kidnapping sailors to force them into the royal navy. During the Revolution, some governments impressed arms for official use, and the practice was bitterly resented. As Joyce Malcolm found in 17th century England, many hid their arms to preserve them, or refused to bring them to militia musters.
[Hat tip to Don Kates]
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We continue to exercise the essential powers of free men. was it Frederick Douglass who said we only have the freedoms we are willing to fight for? Now its the likes of Diahnne Feinstein, Michael Bloomberg, George Soros and the Bush bunch that think we will quietly submit.
A good article but not exactly correct on the Virginia militia. Firstly, the Virginia Militia was a duplicate of the militia system in England. “In 1634. The country divided into 8 shires, which are to governed as the shires in England…. "And Lieuten'ts. to be appointed the same as in England, and in a more especial manner to take care of the warr against Indians. " These lieutenants became County lieutenants instead of Shire lieutenants. Secondly, Private arms (Not Militia Act protected arms) could be impressed for public service long before 1777 in times of insurrection or invasions but to do so they had to have two people appraise the value of the firearm and then offer the firearm back after service or the monetary equivalent of the appraised value of the firearms. 3 Hening’s Statutes at Large, 1705, pp. 335-342. (1809).
“It appears to us, from the Information of Major Lewis, that there were not Arms enough provided by the Public for the People that went on the Expedition; That Mr. Overton carried two Guns, that he borrowed, one of which, of the Value of five Pistoles, was lost by a Canoe's oversetting in crossing a River, and the other, of the Value of two Pistoles and an Half, was, by the Direction of Major Lewis, given to an Indian Warrior. And it further appeared to us, that Mr. Overton left his Horse, Saddle and Bridle, with a sick Man, who hath not been heard of since, and the Horse was then tired… Resolved, That the said Samuel Overton ought to be allowed the Sum of 8£. If. 3d. for his two Guns, and the Sum of £.13 for his Horse, Saddle and Bridle…. It appears to us, that the said John Allen, by the Governor's Direction, accompanied Capt. Paris to the Cherokee Nation; That he bought a Horse here, and brought him to Fort Frederick, where he left him, when he went on the Expedition against the Shawnese, and could not find him on his Return; That at the Time the Canoe overset, in which he was with Capt. Overton, be left a Pair of Pistols….Resolved, That the said John Allen ought not to be paid for the said Horse…Resolved, That he ought to be paid forty Shillings for the said Pistols.” Journal of the House of Burgesses, April 22, 1756.
Thirdly, They never totally disarmed anyone and only took surplus arms someone may have had. The right to self-defence was even accorded to the enemies of Virginia. “And for the better securing the lives and properties of his majesty’s faithful subjects. Be it further enacted and declared, That no Papist, or reputed Papist so refusing, or making default as aforesaid, shall, or may have, or keep in his house or elsewhere, or in the possession of any other person to his use, or at his disposition, any arms, weapons, gunpowder or ammunition, (other than such necessary weapons as shall be allowed to him, by order of the justices of the peace at their court, for the defence of his house or person)” An Act for disarming Papists, and reputed Papists, refusing to take the oaths to the government. March 1756.