Mr. Alexander Purdie: Publisher, The Virginia Gazette
Mr. Alexander Purdie: Publisher, The Virginia Gazette
PATRIOT WRITINGS
VIRGINIA IN REVOLUTION
VIRGINIA AT WAR
MILITIA MUSTER ROLLS/REGIMENTAL
HISTORIES
POST REVOLUTIONARY DOCUMENTS
POST REVOLUTIONARY
PROBLEMS
Patrick Henry
The Voice of the Revolution in Virginia
Patrick Henry - Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death; March 23, 1775
Patrick Henry and the Hanover Independent Company
Patrick Henry Acts on Behalf of the Committee of Safety, November 20, 1775
Patrick Henry's Advertisement for Purchasing Guns, January 26, 1776
Patrick Henry is Appointed Colonel of First Battalion of Virginia Forces, Feb 13, 1776
Patrick Henry's Message as Newly Elected Governor, June 29, 1776.
The Letters of Governor Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry on Bearing Arms, Militia &c.
George Mason
The Commission of George Mason as Colonel : August 17, 1756
The Fairfax Independent Company of Volunteers, The Militia and the Committee of Safety
George Mason on The Militia and the Constitution &c.
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson's Printed Commission as the County Lieutenant of the Albemarle County, Virginia Militia - June 10, 1770/(Thumbnail)
Thomas Jefferson's Printed Commission by the Committee of Safety to the Albemarle County, Virginia Militia - Sept, 26, 1775 / (Thumbnail)
Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms : July 6, 1775
A summary View of the RIGHTS OF BRITISH AMERICA
"A very dangerous practice having been introduced by the enemy of laying under paroles the whole country, through which they are at any time able to march, and thereby attempting to disarm its future opposition, has rendered it necessary for government to take up and reprobate the idea, that any citizen may thus cancel his duties to his country. I inclose you a number of proclamations on this subject, and desire that you will put one into the hands of every Captain in your county, with orders to read it at the head of his company at every private muster during the present year.
Such is the present aspect of the enemy towards this country, that no foresight can predict the moment at which your militia will be called into active duty. Let me exhort you therefore, and through you, your officers and men, to consider that moment as if now come, that every man, who has or can procure a gun, have it instantly put into the best order, a bayonet fitted to it, a bayonet belt, cartouch box,or instead canteen with its strap, tomahawk, blanket, and knapsack. Some of these articles are necessary for his own safety, and some for his health and comfort. The constant exhausture of the publick stock of these articles, by calls from all quarters, renders it vain for the militia to expect to be supplied from thence, when they come into the field, and nothing is so easy as for every man to have them prepared while quiet and at home. The cartouch box with a leathern siap, a wooden canteen with its strap, and a knapsack of thick linen (the better if painted) are what may be made in almost any mans family, and there are few neighbourhoods which do not afford artificers equal to the repair of a firelock, and furnishing it with a bayonet. Let me then again entreat you Sir, not only to give out in general orders to your Captains, that these preparations be instantly made, but to see yourself as far as possible that your orders be carried into execution...These are circumstances always necessary, and as in the first hurry of an invasion, when it is necessary to write an infinity of letters and give a multiplicity of orders, it is not practicable then to enter into these details, I wish now to lay them down to you as standing rules, which may save the necessity of repeating them in future on every special occasion. Request for militia returns and that the men be self-armed and at all times be ready. (1781)."
Virginia Militia, May 27, 1780, Tabulated Report on Troops in Hugh Crockett's Battalion; Armed Naval Vessels, The Thomas Jefferson Papers Series 1. General Correspondence. 1651-1827: Page 1: Return of the Regiment of Artillery/The Illinois Regiment under Colo. Clarke/Four Eastern troops of Cavalry now raising/ A State of the Armed Vessels of Virginia Page 2:
Letter To Peter Carr- 1785 : "Let your Gun Be your Constant Companion"
"None but an armed nation can dispense with a standing army. To keep ours armed and disciplined is therefore at all times important." --Thomas Jefferson to -----, 1803. ME 10:365
"Our citizens have been always free to make, vend, and export arms." Thomas Jefferson to George Hammond, May 15, 1793
"Tho I do not know that it will ever be of the least importance to me, yet one loves to possess arms, tho they hope never to have occasion for them." Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, June 19, 1796.
U.S. Congress, Bill for Establishing Naval Militia (1805)
"We have proposed no formal provision for the gymnastics of the school, although a proper object of attention for every institution of youth. These exercises with ancient nations, constituted the principal part of the education of their youth. Their arms and mode of warfare rendered them severe in the extreme; ours, on the same correct principle, should be adapted to our arms and warfare; and the manual exercise, military manoeuvres, and tactics generally, should be the frequent exercises of the students, in their hours of recreation. It is at that age of aptness, docility, and emulation of the practices of manhood, that such things are soonest learnt and longest remembered. The use of tools too in the manual arts is worthy of encouragement, by facilitating to such as choose it, an admission into the neighboring workshops. To these should be added the arts which embellish life, dancing, music, and drawing; the last more especially, as an important part of military education. These innocent arts furnish amusement and happiness to those who, having time on their hands, might less inoffensively employ it. Needing, at the same time, no regular incorporation with the institution, they may be left to accessory teachers, who will be paid by the individuals employing them, the University only providing proper apartments for their exercise." Report of the Commissioners for the University of Virginia, at 442 (1818).
Letter To John Cartwright: Constitutions, Always be Armed, The Dead Have no Rights , (1824) The Letters of Governor Thomas Jefferson The Writings of Thomas Jefferson 3) "I think it may be demonstrated that eight gallies on our part and six on that of Maryland, well-manned, fitted and commanded, carrying thirty-two and twenty-four pounders, and constructed as were the Congress gallies built at Philadelphia, would with ease baffle the attempts of such a force as came here last. This is a kind of movable battery which proceeding with the enemy would disappoint them, whilst forts on land will be avoided when the foe is weak and always fall when they are strong. And these forts, under the idea of strength delude men to make collections which they otherwise would not, and which tempt an enemy to come for plunder where they would not otherwise visit. " Richard Henry Lee, Letter to George Mason, June 9, 1779. The Letters of Richard Henry Lee Vol. I. 1762-1778 The Letters of Richard Henry Lee Vol. II. 1779-1794 The Journal of George Washington Commanding a Detachment of Virginia Troops (French and Indian War) George Washington to Virginia Militia Officers, August 2, 1755 George
Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, April 24, 1756
George
Washington to Robert Dinwiddie, August 4, 1756
Head Quarters, Morris Town, January
19, 1777.
"Gentn.: The readiness which the
Militia of Pennsylvania have shewn by engaging in the Service of their
Country, at an inclement Season of the year, when my Army was reduced to
an handful of Men, and our affairs in the most Critical Situation, does
great honor to them and to your State. But altho' they have contributed
greatly to the Success, which has lately attended our Arms, I must inform
you, that with pain I hear they have determined to return home. Most of
the City Militia have determined to stay some days longer; they must then
be discharged, as I am well informed they are generally in want of almost
every Necessary. I must depend chiefly this Winter on the Militia, to
enable me to act offensively, or even to make a Stand, and therefore sincerely
wish, they could have been prevailed upon to serve, 'till they could have
been relieved by the Troops now raising by the Continent. There now
is the fairest Opportunity of totally destroying the British Army, or at
least of delaying their Operations in the Spring, 'till we may be prepared
to oppose them by regular Forces. As it is a Matter of the highest Importance,
that your Militia should be put on such a footing, as willfully answer
the Exigency of our affairs at this time, I do most earnestly recommend,
That such Spirited and effectual Measures be adopted as will soonest accomplish
this great and Necessary Work. As there is not the least doubt at present,
that the principle Object of the Enemy is to get Possession of the City
of Philadelphia, it is absolutely necessary, that every Person able
to bear Arms (except such as are Conscientiously scrupulous against it
in every Case), should give their personal Service, and whenever a
part of the Militia is required only, either to join the Army or find a
Man in their place. In order to effect this, I beg you will order the whole
Militia of your State to be enrolled and compleatly equipp'd; that one
half at least may proceed to join the Army with all possible expedition.
Those who have done their tour of Duty already to be excused; But those
that have not should be obliged to come forth or hire a proper person in
their Place, and to remain till the first of April, unless sooner discharged,
by the Commander in Chief." - George
Washington to Pennsylvania Safety Council, January 19, 1777
Head Quarters, Morris Town, January
24, 1777.
"Sir: The irregular and disjointed
State of the Militia of this Province, makes it necessary for me to inform
you, that, unless a Law is immediately passed by your Legislature, to reduce
them to some order, and oblige them to turn out, in a different Manner
from what they have hitherto done, we shall bring very few into the Field,
and even those few will render little or no Service. Their Officers are
generally of the lowest Class of People; and, instead of setting a good
Example to their Men, are leading them into every Kind of Mischief, one
Species of which is, Plundering the Inhabitants, under pretence of their
being Tories. A Law should, in my Opinion, be passed, to put a Stop to
this kind of lawless Rapine; for, unless there is something done to prevent
it, the People will throw themselves, of Choice, into the Hands of the
British Troops. But your first object should be a well regulated Militia
Law; the People, put under good Officers, would behave in quite another
Manner; and not only render real Service as Soldiers, but would protect,
instead of distressing, the Inhabitants. What I would wish to have particularly
insisted upon, in the New Law, should be, that every Man, capable of bearing
Arms, should be obliged to turn out, and not buy off his Service by a trifling
fine. We want Men, and not Money. I have the honor to be, etc." - George
Washington to William Livingston, January 24, 1777
The Virtues of a Militia
"Were it not totally unnecessary
and superfluous to adduce arguments to prove what is conceded on all hands
the Policy and expediency of resting the protection of the Country on a
respectable and well established Militia, we might not only shew the propriety
of the measure from our peculiar local situation, but we might have recourse
to the Histories of Greece and Rome in their most virtuous and Patriotic
ages to demonstrate the Utility of such Establishments. Then passing by
the Mercinary Armies, which have at one time or another subverted the liberties
of all most all the Countries they have been raised to defend, we might
see, with admiration, the Freedom and Independence of Switzerland supported
for Centuries, in the midst of powerful and jealous neighbours, by means
of a hardy and well organized Militia. We might also derive useful lessons
of a similar kind from other Nations of Europe, but I believe it will be
found, the People of this Continent are too well acquainted with
the Merits of the subject to require information or example. I shall therefore
proceed to point out some general outlines of their duty, and conclude
this head with a few particular observations on the regulations which I
conceive ought to be immediately adopted by the States at the instance
and recommendation of Congress.
It may be laid down as a primary
position, and the basis of our system, that every Citizen who enjoys the
protection of a free Government, owes not only a proportion of his property,
but even of his personal services to the defence of it, and consequently
that the Citizens of America (with a few legal and official exceptions)
from 18 to 50 Years of Age should be borne on the Militia Rolls, provided
with uniform Arms, and so far accustomed to the use of them, that the Total
strength of the Country might be called forth at a Short Notice on any
very interesting Emergency, for these purposes they ought to be duly organized
into Commands of the same formation; (it is not of very great importance,
whether the Regiments are Large or small, provided a sameness prevails
in the strength and composition of them and I do not know that a better
establishment, than that under which the Continental Troops now are, can
be adopted. They ought to be regularly Mustered and trained, and to have
their Arms and Accoutrements inspected at certain appointed times, not
less than once or twice in the course of every [year] but as it is obvious,
amongst such a Multitude of People (who may indeed be useful for temporary
service) there must be a great number, who from domestic Circumstances,
bodily defects, natural awkwardness or disinclination, can never acquire
the habits of Soldiers; but on the contrary will injure the appearance
of any body of Troops to which they are attached, and as there are a sufficient
proportion of able bodied young Men, between the Age of 18 and 25, who,
from a natural fondness for Military parade (which passion is almost ever
prevalent at that period of life) might easily be enlisted or drafted to
form a Corps in every State, capable of resisting any sudden impression
which might be attempted by a foreign Enemy, while the remainder of the
National forces would have time to Assemble and make preparations for the
Field. I would wish therefore, that the former, being considered as a
denier resort, reserved for some great occasion, a judicious system might
be adopted for forming and placing the latter on the best possible Establishment.
And that while the Men of this description shall be viewed as the Van and
flower of the American Forces, ever ready for Action and zealous to be
employed whenever it may become necessary in the service of their Country;
they should meet with such exemptions, privileges or distinctions, as might
tend to keep alive a true Military pride, a nice sense of honour, and a
patriotic regard for the public. Such sentiments, indeed, ought to be instilled
into our Youth, with their earliest years, to be cherished and inculcated
as frequently and forcibly as possible. " - George
Washington, May 2, 1783, Peace Settlement
Zachariah Johnson " The people are not to be disarmed of their weapons.
They are left in full possession of them. The government is administered
by the representatives of the people, voluntarily and freely chosen. Under
these circumstances, should any one attempt to establish their own system,
in prejudice of the rest, they would be universally detested and opposed,
and easily frustrated. This is a principle which secures religious liberty
most firmly. The government will depend on the assistance of the people
in the day of distress. " - Speech of Zachariah Johnson at
the Virginia Debate on the U.S. Constitution, Elliot's
Debates, 646
St. George Tucker 1) "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep, and bear arms, shall not be infringed. Amendments to C. U. S. Art. 4. This may be considered as the true palladium of liberty .... The right of self defence is the first law of nature: in most governments it has been the study of rulers to confine this right within the narrowest limits possible. Wherever standing armies are kept up, and the right of the people to keep and bear arms is, under any colour or pretext whatsoever, prohibited, liberty, if not already annihilated, is on the brink of destruction. In England, the people have been disarmed, generally, under the specious pretext of preserving the game: a never failing lure to bring over the landed aristocracy to support any measure, under that mask, though calculated for very different purposes. True it is, their bill of rights seems at first view to counteract this policy: but the right of bearing arms is confined to protestants, and the words suitable to their condition and degree, have been interpreted to authorise the prohibition of keeping a gun or other engine for the destruction of game, to any farmer, or inferior tradesman, or other person not qualified to kill game. So that not one man in five hundred can keep a gun in his house without being subject to a penalty." St. George Tucker's Blackstone, Volume 1, Appendix Note D, Section 12. 2) "3. Let each district be likewise entitled to chuse as many members of the house of delegates, as their several proportions of the whole number of militia (or free white males over the age of sixteen, and not more than five and forty years of age)" St. George Tucker's Blackstone, Note C, Of the Constitution of Virginia 3) “The same author observes elsewhere; "the very use of weapons by such an assembly, without the king's license, unless in some lawful and special cases, carries a terror with it, and a presumption of warlike force, etc." The bare circumstance of having arms, therefore, of itself, creates a presumption of warlike force in England, and may be given in evidence there, to prove quo animo the people are assembled. But ought that circumstance of itself, to create any such presumption in America, where the right to bear arms is recognized and secured in the constitution itself? In many parts of the United States, a man no more thinks of going out of his house on any occasion, without his rifle or musket in his hand, than an European fine gentleman without his sword by his side.” Tucker, Blackstone’s Commentaries, Vol. 5, Note B. Concerning Treason (1803). 4) "And, lastly, to vindicate these rights, when actually violated or attacked, the subjects of England are entitled, in the first place, to the regular administration and free course of justice in the courts and law; next to the right of petitioning the king and parliament for redress of grievances; and lastly to the right of having and using arms for self-preservation and defense. " Tucker, Blackstone’s Commentaries, Vol 2. Chapter 1. Of the Absolute Rights of Individuals, (1803). 5) “In America we may reasonably hope that the people will never cease to regard the right of keeping and bearing arms as the surest pledge of their liberty.” 2 St. George Tucker, Blackstone’s Commentaries, Of Title to Things Personally By Occupancy, at 414.
James Madison
"It may well be doubted, whether a militia thus circumstanced could ever be conquered by such a proportion of regular troops. Those who are best acquainted with the last successful resistance of this country against the British arms, will be most inclined to deny the possibility of it. Besides the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation, the existence of subordinate governments, to which the people are attached, and by which the militia officers are appointed, forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition, more insurmountable than any which a simple government of any form can admit of. Notwithstanding the military establishments in the several kingdoms of Europe, which are carried as far as the public resources will bear, the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms. And it is not certain, that with this aid alone they would not be able to shake off their yokes. But were the people to possess the additional advantages of local governments chosen by themselves, who could collect the national will and direct the national force, and of officers appointed out of the militia, by these governments, and attached both to them and to the militia, it may be affirmed with the greatest assurance, that the throne of every tyranny in Europe would be speedily overturned in spite of the legions which surround it." Federalist Debate No. 46- January 28, 1788. "Mr. MADISON conceived that what defects might be in the Constitution might be removed by the amendatory mode in itself. As to a solemn declaration of our essential rights, he thought it unnecessary and dangerous--unnecessary, because it was evident that the general government had no power but what was given it, and that the delegation alone warranted the exercise of power; dangerous, because an enumeration which is not complete is not safe." 3 Elliot's Debate 626-627, June 24, 1788 Federalist James Madison was soundly defeated in his bid to become a United States Senator by Virginians who were disgusted at his statements in Virginia's ratification debates of the U.S. Constitution. The anti-federalists of Virginia instead elected Colo. Richard Henry Lee and Colo. William Grayson as their Senators. The sting of this defeat casued James Madison to become a real politician and campaign for a Bill of Rights to get elected when he defeated James Monroe for a seat in the House of Representatives. James Madison cannot truly be called the father of the Federal Bill of Rights when his support of a Bill of Rights was only a means to get elected.
MARCH, 1651-2 −−− 2nd OF COMMONWEALTH
ARTICLES AT THE SURRENDER OF THE COUNTRIE. Articles agreed on and concluded at James Cittie in Virginia for the surrendering and settling of that plantation under the obedience and government of the Commonwealth of England, by the commissioners of the Councill of State, by authoritie of the Parliament of England and by the Grand Assembly of the Governour, Councill and Burgesses of that countrey. FIRST, It is agreed and cons'ted that the plantation of Virginia, and all the inhabitants thereof, shall be and remaine in due obedience and subjection to the commonwealth of England, according to the lawes there established, And that this submission and subscription bee acknowledged a voluntary at not forced nor constrained by a conquest vpon the countrey, And that they shall have and enioy such freedomes and priviledges as belong to the free borne people of England, and that the former government by the comissions and instruction be void and null... 7thly. That the people of Virginia have free trade as the people of England do enjoy to all places and with all nations according to the lawes of that commonwealth, And that Virginia shall enjoy all priviledges equall with any English plantations in America. 8thly. That Virginia shall be free from all taxes, customes and impositions whatsoever, and none to be imposed on them without consent of the Grand Assembly, And soe that neither ffortes nor castles bee erected or garrisons maintained without their consent. 13thly. That all amunition, powder and arms, other then for private vse shall be delivered vp, securitie being given to make satisfaction for it." Petition
of the Virginia House of Burgesses to the House of Commons: December 18,
1764
Virginia
Resolves on the Stamp Act- Patrick Henry, May, 30, 1765
Virginia Nonimportation Association, May 18, 1769 Virginia
Resolutions Establishing A Committee of Correspondence; March 12, 1773
A
Day of Fasting and Prayer in Support of the Closing of the Port of Boston,
May 24, 1774.
Prince William County Resolves June 6, 1774, Published in Virginia Gazette June 16, 1774. Fairfax
County Resolves , July 18, 1774
George Washington to Bryan Fairfax, July 20, 1774 Bryan Fairfax to George Washington August 5, 1774 The
Association of the Virginia Convention; August 1-6, 1774
Virginia
Delegates to Congress 1774-1789
Ban on the Exportation of , Gunpowder, Arms, Ammunition, & Saltpetre to America , Oct, 13 1774
Declaration of Right and Grievances, October 14, 1774 General Gage to Peyton Randolph, October 20, 1774 The Continental Association, October 20, 1774 Lord
Dunmore's Writ to Stop Delegates from being Appointed to the Continental
Congress -March 1775
Lawyers
to Boycott, Suspension of Justice to defy the King, March 1775
Virginia
Gazette First Account of Battle of Lexington "A great deal of blood spilt" , April 29, 1775
Governor Dunmore's Proclamation on the Reasons for Removing the Gunpowder - May 3, 1775 Governor Dunmore's Proclamation to Arrest Patrick Henry for Taking up Arms-May 6, 1775 Speech
of Lord Dunmore, Reconciliation Plan, June 1, 1775
Response of Lord Dunmore Before Retreating to a Man O'War in Norfolk, June 10, 1775 House of Burgesses Inquiry into the Gunpowder Incident, June 14, 1775 King George III Declares the Colonies in Rebellion - August 23, 1775
Various Experiments on Rifle Fire in Williamsburg Oct 3, 1775 ( Propaganda) King George III's Address to Parliament, - October 27, 1775 Lord
Dunmore Proclaims Martial Law, November 1775
"We condemn, and with arms in our hands,--a resource which Freemen will never part with..." Request For a Declaration of Rights and Independence, May 15, 1776 Published May 17, 1776: Page 2 Page 3 Preamble
and Resolution of the Virginia Convention, May 15, 1776
First
Draft of Virginia Declaration of Rights by George Mason, May 1776
Virginia Declaration of Rights Text The Constitution of Virginia: Printed in The Virginia Gazette: Dixon and Hunter, July 6, 1776 Virginia Gazette : Purdie, July 5, 1776
The
Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776
The Declaration of Independence in the Virginia Gazette: Purdie July 26, 1776
Fairfax
County Independent Company of Volunteers Organized by George Mason, September
21, 1774
Fairfax
County Independent Company of Volunteers in Virginia Gazette, October 27,
1774
Battle
of Point Pleasant - Lord Dunmore's War, October 10, 1774 /
Tu-Endie-Wie/ History of the Battle of Point Pleasant Virginia Gazette Account of the Battle of Point Pleasant October 13, 1774 Shawnee Taken to Williamsburg as a Peace Bond
Four Shawnee Warriours Expected: Virginia Gazette, Purdie and Dixon, No. 1218, Col. 1, Dec. 8, 1774 Patrick
Henry Leads Hanover Independent Company to Take Williamsburg, May 5,1775
George
Washington is Appointed Commander of the Continental Army , June 1775, Published July 6, 1775
Caroline County Independent Company May 12, 1775. , August 11, 1775, October 13, 1775 Caroline
Militia on Parade. Capture of Two Enemy Sailors Hiding in Woods. July 7,
1775
Fresh Intelligence. Raiding Parties, November 1775 Virginia Rifleman Marksmanship November 17, 1775. Ban on the Export to the Colonies of Arms and Ammunition November 30, 1775. Battle of Great Bridge Virginia, Published December 15, 1775 A
Virginia Gazette Article on Gunnery, The Geometry of Hitting Targets with
Artillery Feb. 2, 1776.
Appointments
and Request to Raise Men for the Virginia Rifle Company : July 9, 1776:
Soldiers and Sailors Families to be Taken Care of : December 20, 1776. Virginian's
Must Swear Allegiance to the State Against King George, Recusants to be
Disarmed- 1777
First
United States Military Academy/Instruction - June 20 , 1777
Quaker
Prisoners to be Sent to Virginia: September 1777
Daniel Morgan,
Virginia Hero of the Battle of Cowpens, Leader of the Famous Virginia
Riflemen
Daniel
Morgan's Virginia Riflemen at Saratoga Turn Back the British, September
1777
Fairfax
County Militia Members Court Martialed, June 5, 1778
An Act for Raising Volunteers to Join the Grand Army- May 1778 Patrick
Henry Calls out the Militia to Protect the Frontiers, Detroit is laid aside-
August 1778
George Washington to Henry Laurens, (Arming Slaves) March 20, 1779 Col. George Rogers Clarke and the Virginia Militia Defeat British at Detroit June 5, 1779 / The Articles of Captiulation of Vincennes June 5, 1779 Col. George Rogers Clarke's Letter Describing the Attack and Victory at Vincennes June 26, 1779. Continental Congress on Arming Slaves for the Southern Front, December 9, 1780
General Washington to Major General Robert Howe, June 11, 1781 (Blunderbusses) Letter From George Washington at Mt. Vernon to General Maquis de Lafeyette - Sept. 10th, 1781 Intelligence in the War for Independence Patrick Henry Appoints an Intelligence Officer, January 16, 1777. Spy
Escapes Jail - April 25, 1777 (Purdie)
James
Armistead Lafayette, Virginian and Master Spy at Yorktown.
The Emancipation of James
Lafayette by the Virginia General Assembly
A Constitutional Republic is Won
The Southern Campaign, 1781, Guilford Courthouse to the Siege of Yorktown, Narrated in the Letters of St. George Tucker to his Wife, by Charles Coleman Jr. in 7 Magazine of American History, 36-46, 201-216 (1881).
Calendar and Record of the American Revolution in the South: 1780-1781 Lafayette's Virginia Campaign (1781)
Articles of Capitulation; October 18, 1781- Victory at Yorktown, Va.
Formation of the Constitution Society by Many of the Leading Men of Virginia, June 15, 1784. "WE, the underwritten, having associated for the purpose of preserving and handing down to posterity, those pure and sacred principles of liberty, which have been derived to us, from the happy event of the late glorious revolution, and being convinced, that the surest mode to secure republican systems of government from lapsing into tyranny, is by giving free and frequent information to the mass of people, both of the nature of them, and of the measures which may be adopted by their several component parts, have determined, and do hereby most solemnly pledge ourselves to each other, by every holy tie and obligation, which freemen ought to hold inestimably dear, that every one in his respective station, will keep a watchful eye over the great fundamental rights of the people.
That we will without reserve, communicate our thoughts to each other, and to the people, on every subject which may either tend to amend our government, or to preserve it from the innovations of ambition, and the designs of faction."
Loudoun County
Militia Muster Rolls During the Revolution
Colonial
Military Records Bibliography from the College of William and Mary
Fort Necessity
Roster of Virginia Militia During the French and Indian War
Land Warrants Issued (4,748) to Virginia Revolutionary War Veterans in Kentucky (Searchable by Name) Brigadier General Daniel Morgan's Land Warrant for Service in the Revolutionary War The Life of General Daniel Morgan
Articles of Confederation , Subsection VI (1781) : "but every State shall always keep up a well-regulated and disciplined militia, sufficiently armed and accoutered, and shall provide and constantly have ready for use, in public stores, a due number of field pieces and tents, and a proper quantity of arms, ammunition and camp equipage." Virginia's Debates on the
New Constitution of the United States
The Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787, (Searchable Database by Constitution.org) Constitution
of the United States
"That as 'a well regulated militia, composed of the body of the People, trained to arms, is the proper, natural, and safe defence of a free State;' we view every measure which leads to the establishment of standing armies and expensive navies, as contrary to the spirit of a free Government; and by no means so well calculated to ward off foreign insult and invasion, as to invite domestic subjugation, slavery, and ruin. "That the measures taken at the last session of Congress, for the defence of our common country, were wise and patriotic. Eighty thousand of our fellow citizens, and brethren of the militia, being, in our judgment, fully competent to the defence of our country, against any foreign nation whatever. "That, in case of actual invasion from abroad, or of domestic insurrection at home, we hold it to be the duty of all good citizens and militia men, to rally round the standard of Government, and to defend our rights against all encroachments whatever: And therefore, we pledge ourselves, to appear armed and accoutered, at any moment when our services shall (for the purposes above mentioned) be required.
Native Americans
See Letter From Richard Henry
Lee to James Monroe for a Virginian's Perspective
Tecumseh
and Lalawethica, Brothers Born of the Dunmore War and the Revolution
Treaty
of Greenville, 1795- Not Signed by Tecumseh
Land Grants to Revolutionary Soldiers, Treaty of 1777 - Kinney v. Clarke, 43 U.S. 76 (1844) Problems with the United States Constitution
Virginia
Resolution of 1798 : Alien and Sedition Acts Violate the Federal Bill of
Rights
Muster
Rolls of those who Served in the Militia When Lord Dunmore Called out the
Militia to Fight the Indian Nations in April 1774, Searchable database
"[I} have the highest
veneration for those gentlemen; but, sir, give me leave to demand, What
right had they to say, We, the people? My political curiosity, exclusive
of my anxious solicitude for the public welfare, leads me to ask, Who authorized
them to speak the language of, We, the people, instead of, We, the
states? States are the characteristics and the soul of a confederation.
If the states be not the agents of this compact, it must be one great,
consolidated, national government, of the people of all the states." Patrick Henry, June 4, 1788, 3 Elliot's Debates, P.22. "Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined. I am answered by gentlemen, that, though I might speak of terrors, yet the fact was, that we were surrounded by none of the dangers I apprehended. I conceive this new government to be one of those dangers: it has produced those horrors which distress many of our best citizens. We are come hither to preserve the poor commonwealth of Virginia, if it can be possibly done: something must be done to preserve your liberty and mine. "-
June 5, 1788, 3 Elliot's Debates, P.45-46.
The
Debates In The Convention Of The Commonwealth Of Virginia, On The Adoption
Of The Federal Constitution.
Portsmouth, Virginia Militia Captain Magnien's Company of Grenadiers on A well Regulated Militia and the Virginia Declaration of Rights (1798).
Post Revolutionary Problems