I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people, except for a few public officials.
— George Mason
An instance within the memory of some of this house will show us how our militia may be destroyed. Forty years ago, when the resolution of enslaving America was formed in Great Britain, the British Parliment was advised by an artful man, who was governor of Pennsylvania, to disarm the people; that is was the best and most effectual way to enslave them; but that they should not do it openly, but weaken them, and let them sink gradually, by totally disusing and neglecting the militia.
— George Mason
The government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion.
— John Adams, Quoted in Hunter Miller’s Treaties 2:365
Liberty must at all hazards be supported. We have a right to it, derived from our Maker. But if we had not, our fathers have earned and bought it for us, at the expense of their ease, their estates, their pleasure, and their blood.
— John Adams
Arms in the hands of citizens (may) be used at individual discretion…in private self defense…
— John Adams
I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce, and agriculture, in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain.
— John Adams
Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist.
— John Adams
I have come to the conclusion that one useless man is a disgrace, two men are called a Law Firm, and three or more are called a Congress.
— John Adams
It would be an absurdity for jurors to be required to accept the judge’s view of the law, against their own opinion, judgment, and conscience.
— John Adams
The Revolution was effected before the War commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people; a change in their religious sentiments of their duties and obligations . . . This radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments, and affections of the people, was the real American Revolution.
— John Adams, February 13, 1818
