[Had the British won the war]: “Among the privileges of which we should have been bereft, that of freely possessing fire arms should be included. One of the first acts of the victors would have been to disarm the vanquished."

    “In the eloquent performance of our orator, among other topics, we have a review of what would have been the probable condition of this republic, had the British arms subdued our resistance: “Among the privileges of which we should have been bereft, that of freely possessing fire arms should be included. One of the first acts of the victors would have been to disarm the vanquished. Monarchs are too jealous of their subjects to intrust them with arms, except under the strictest inspection; and the rebellious conduct of the Americans would have brought upon them a severer chastisement than the utmost rigor of this rule of policy could inflict.”–Charles Pelham Curtis, July 4, 1823. For The City Authorities. [The Hundred Boston Orators Appointed by the Municipal Authorities and Other Public Bodies, From 1770 To 1852; Comprising Historical Gleanings, Illustrating The Principles And Progress Of Our Republican Institutions. By James Spear Loring. "I would have these orations collected and printed in volumes, and then write the history of the last forty-five years in commentaries upon them."--John Adams, in 1816. . . . Boston: John P. Jewett And Company. Cleveland, Ohio: Jewett, Proctor & Worthington. 1852. Pg. 400]