6-5-1840: U.S. Secretary of War J.R. Poinsett, “but its constant policy has been, that every freeman in America should be armed and equipped in order that he may at all times be prepared to defend his country and his liberty.”

U.S. Secretary of War J.R. Poinsett, “but its constant policy has been, that every freeman in America should be armed and equipped in order that he may at all times be prepared to defend his country and his liberty.”, June 5, 1840