Here's a nice discovery

N.Y. Gov. Seward, “but I do find in all the Bills of Rights that the people have a natural right to retain arms, to protect themselves when the Government betrays its trust.”, April 1, 1846

Here's one that provides a very good idea as to what went wrong with our rights

Legislature of New-York, “which declares the right of the people to keep and bear arms . . . and if one legislature exercised such power, another might do the same, and the result might be, that the constitution might be declared to mean any thing and every thing that the legislature chose.”, Sept. 14, 1827

It just doesn't get much better than this

Mr. Varnum* (Speaker) said as the bill now stood he thought it violated a correct principle–that the people should hold the arms in such a manner that neither the general or state governments should take them from them. He was perfectly disposed to go as far as any gentleman to extend the manufacture of arms in our own country, provided those arms should be placed in such a situation that every individual citizen might purchase them at his own expense.–Mr. Varnum, Monday, April 18, 1808.

(* Joseph Bradley Varnum, (Jan. 29, 1751 – Sept. 21, 1821), was a Democratic-Republican Party member from Massachusetts. He served as a U.S. Representative and United States Senator, and held leadership positions in both bodies.)

[The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser. [volume], August 24, 1808. Pg. 1]

It would have been real nice to have discovered this earlier...

[Pg. 1]

A Bill

For establishing the government of the Territory of Columbia.

[Now before the House of Representatives.]

BE it enacted, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That the government of the territory of Columbia, (with a reservation of the constitutional authority of Congress over the same,) Shall be exercised in manner following. . . .

[Pg. 2]

   Sec. 13. And be it further enacted, That no law shall be made respecting any establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, otherwise than by a liability to private action for falshood in point of fact; or abridging the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition for a redress of grievances; nor shall the right of the people to keep and bear arms be infringed, nor shall a soldier, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrant shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons to be seized.

[The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser. Washington City, Friday, February 5th, 1802. Vol. II. No. CXCV. Pg. 1 & 2]

The new website has been greatly expanded

Check out: Shall Not Be Infringed. There are quite a few new articles concerning the history of our right on the blog.

This formerly unseen quote from U.S. District Court Judge St. George Tucker is worthy of taking note of:

For The National Intelligencer

William & Mary, Jan. 30, 1802. . . .

. . . Judge [St. George] Tucker’s Lectures on the Judiciary of the United States, as delivered by him as Professor of Law at this University [William & Mary] . . .

 . . . And here we cannot but observe, that the judiciary power cannot of itself oppress the citizen: The executive must lend its aid in every case where oppression can ensue from its decisions: but its decisions in favor of the citizen are carried into instantaneous effect by delivering him from the coercion of the executive officer the moment that judgment of acquittal is pronounced; and herein consists the excellence of our constitution, that no individual can be oppressed, whilst this branch of the government remains uncorrupted: it being a necessary check upon the encroachments of power by either of the other. Thus, if the legislature should pass a law dangerous to the liberties of the people, the judiciary are to pronounce, not only whether the party accused be guilty of a violation thereof, but whether such law be permitted by the constitution. If, for example, a law were passed prohibiting the free exercise of religion; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people to assemble peaceably, or to keep and bear arms, it would be the province of the judiciary to decide that the power of the legislature did not extend to the making of such law, and consequently to acquit the prisoner from any penalty which might be annexed to the breach of such an unconstitutional law. . . .

[The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser. Washington City, Vol. II. No. CCI. Friday, February 19th, 1802, Pg. 2]

Interesting, isn't it?

Couldn't resist posting this here

Even though it's already posted on the blog of the new website:

. . . Here no haughty aristocracy, claiming to be hereditary legislators, mock, by the splendor of their equipage, and the loftiness of their demeanor, the humble state of the farmer, the merchant and the mechanic.

Our senate is composed of citizens chosen by ourselves: and whose is the fault if they are not as distinguished for every attainment, as they are by the high elevation to which our sufferages have exalted them.

Nor are our laws made by men, chosen from rotten boroughs, or, who are indebted for their places, to the overbearing influence of some lordly patron. Our representatives are elected by ourselves, and if good men are not chosen, the blame rests not on the government, but upon the people.

Our elections are free.

Our judiciary is independent.

The Habeas Corpus, and religious toleration, are guarded by constitutional provisions.

The right of trial by Jury is secured.

The Press is free.

Every citizen has a right to bear arms in self defence.

Indeed, every right which our intelligent and patriotick fathers deemed worth preserving, is secured to us in the strongest manner that human wisdom could devise.

With such securities that our laws shall be wise, what more can forms and constitutions provide?

What more is necessary, fellow citizens, to complete our happiness, and to perpetuate these benefits to posterity?–A wise and frugal Administration, which shall guard guard with vigour and good faith, the rights committed to their protection.

Were men perfect, government would be useless. Were rulers perfect, constitutional checks would e unnecessary, and that vigilant watchfulness of their conduct, now so necessary, would cease to be a virtue. But power corrupts the human heart. Men, long invested with authority, are prone to forget the people–to think only of their own interest, and of securing
their own power. All the lessons of history and experience warn us to guard our rulers with a jealous eye. The people must be vigilant to protect their own rights, or they will not long have rights worthy protection.

Unfortunately for us our affairs are now confided to those who possess neither the qualities of greatness to excite our admiration, nor goodness to inspire esteem.

Blessed with the best government in the world, all our rights are jeopardized by the misconduct of a weak administration. It is wise to look back upon our past conduct; to review the road we have traveled, and from the errors we have committed to learn wisdom for the future.

When our excellent constitution was formed, it is notorious that a great portion of the Democratic party then denominated Anti-Federalists, were the zealous–bitter–persevering enemies to that instrument. It was confidently predicted that the nation would be ruined by its adoption; and it is a fact that it was publickly burnt by the party, though they now affect to revere it.

Their opposition was unavailing–The Federalists succeeded.–The Constitution was adopted–WASHINGTON was elected President– Hamilton and Pickering were called to his councils; and for the sake of harmony, Jefferson, the enemy of the Constitution was appointed secretary of state.

Young men can hardly believe it. The anti-federalists taking the name of democrats, opposed to their utmost, every important measure of the administration of Washington. His sacred character was assailed by the malignity of party spirit. Jefferson countenanced and supported a printer who was the most violent opposer of Washington and his administration.–Verifying the fable of the viper he stung the bosom that had warmed him to political existence.

The Revolution in France broke out. Washington issued his proclamation of neutrality. The Federalists supported the true interests of the country by pursuing peace. The democratic party inflaming the public mind with a most unholy zeal, endeavoured to drive the country into war on the side of France. It was then insinuated that Washington was devoted to Britain. That the Federal party was under the influence of British gold. That the liberties of the nation were to be sacrificed, and all–because we would not madly abandon the peace of the nation and throw ourselves into the vortex of French revolutionary politics. . . .

–William Markham, Excerpted from speech published in article: Oak Hill Celebration of Independence [From the Wilkesbarre [Penn.] Gleaner.]

[Alexandria Gazette, Commercial And Political. Vol. XV. 4384, Friday, August 25, 1815, Pg. 2]

The new website....

Has been greatly expanded:

Shall Not Be Infringed

The Commencement and Conclusion

   The latest PDF copy of The Commencement and Conclusion, (formerly The Alpha and Omega Version), can now be downloaded by going here.