Tench Coxe

“Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves.”

“The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops that can be, on any pretense, raised in the United States.”

“Whereas civil rulers, not having their duty to the people duly before them, may attempt to tyrannize... the people are confirmed by the article in their right to keep and bear their private arms.”

“The militia of these free commonwealths, entitled and accustomed to their arms, when contrasted with any possible army, must be tremendous and irresistible.”

“Congress have no power to disarm the people.”

“The powers of the sword are in the hands of the yeomanry of America from sixteen to sixty.”

“Manufactures are now as vital to our being as the air we breathe.”

“Agriculture has been the first in order, and now the first in importance.”