Communicated to the Senate Dec. 23, 1833...

"Every citizen is, from the nature of our social organization, a part of the public defense; and he is also, in the last resort, in common with his fellow-citizens, the safeguard of the liberties of all against the government itself. Thus it is that amendments to the Constitutionof the United States have provided that "the right of the people to keep and bear arms shallnot be infringed." It seems indispensable to the accomplishment of the objects referred to that every citizen should be armed..."
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- John C. Edwards, Secretary of State, 11/15/1833. 'Military Affairs', Application of Missouri for the establishment of a depot of arms near the northwestern boundry of that state.