"the arms of the citizens should be their fortresses"

   "Should we at any time, unfortunately, find ourselves involved in war with any power in Europe, we shall always have time enough to prepare for the event; and, as we should have to meet in battle, I believe it be of little consequence to the American people, how, or where. Our large cities, concentrating much wealth, and attracting the attention of an enemy, ought to be secured by strong and judicious fortifications; for the rest, the arms of the citizens should be their fortresses, as none can doubt, that, in all time to come, should an enterprising enemy come to our shore, and wish to land, he can do so, in despite of all the fortifications raised, or to be raised. Again, might it not be an objection to this vast system of fortifying our frontier, the favorite plan of some, that the fortress might fall into the hands of an enemy, and offer him a safe place to obtain water, and secure their ships, and repair all damage to the army and navy? This occurrence would be a most serious thing to us. He would then have to be beaten out by a much superior force, which would require an expense correspondingly large, nor could these vast fortresses be safely entrusted to a few men; the force ought to be at least sufficient to man the works, which, at one point in Virginia, I have understood, would require from seven to ten thousand men, this too, at a place, where, during the late war, we had not a man. I repeat it, that, in my opinion, the rifle, and a knowledge of its use, is the best defense for our country, with the exception of the commercial cities, which should be secured by strong forts. Sparta thought so, in days long past; and Napoleon has proved, in the late wars of Europe, how easy it is to march by those fortresses, and Conquer his enemy, which had cost so much time, labor, and expense, besides the loss of so many lives, in the fine armies commanded by Saxe, Marlborough, and others."--Mr. [John] Floyd, of Virginia, Dec. 20, 1824. U.S. House of Representatives, Occupation of the Mouth of the Oregon.

[REGISTER OF DEBATES IN CONGRESS, COMPRISING THE LEADING DEBATES AND INCIDENTS OF THE SECOND SESSION OF THE EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS: TOGETHER WITH AN APPENDIX, CONTAINING THE MOST Important State Papers and Public Documents TO WHICH THE SESSION HAS GIVEN BIRTH: TO WHICH ABE ÁDDED, The Laws enacted During the Session, WITH A COPIOUS INDEX TO THE WHOLE. VOLUME I. WАSНINGTON: PUBLISHED BY GALES & SEATON. 1825. Pgs. 14-15]