317

Original Context for the Second Amendment.

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:100.00 USD Estimated At:200.00 - 275.00 USD
Original Context for the Second Amendment.
Excessively rare pamphlet, "The Militia Law of the State of New-Hampshire, Passed at Concord, Dec. 22, 1808...To which is annexed, the Militia Law of the United States," the latter signed-in-type by then-Pres. George Washington, Speaker Jonathan Trumbull, and Pres. pro tem of Senate Richard Henry Lee. Concord: 1808, 5 1/2 x 9 1/4, 34 pp., sewn. Detailing revised laws "for arranging, forming, and regulating the militia," the context informing today's much-debated meaning of the Second Amendment. "Each and every free able-bodied white male citizen of this State, resident herein...age 16 years, and under the age of 40...shall...be enrolled in the militia...It shall at all times be the duty of such Captain...of the company, to enroll every such citizen...." Excusing from military duty the Vice Pres., "all the officers, judicial and executive, of the Government of the U.S.," "post-officers," stage-drivers, ferrymen, mariners, "all officers or students of Colleges, Ministers of the Gospel, people denominated Quakers, and Shakers...," and physicians and surgeons. "Every citizen...provided with arms and accoutrements...." Officers "to be armed with a sword and pair of pistols, the holsters of which to be covered with bear-skin caps." New Hampshire's constitution was the first in the new United States; the State's clear language defining "militia" here offers primary source context for the Framers' original intent. Title leaf loose, final leaf torn at blank lower portion, foxing of outer leaves, toning, all edges deckled, with some chipping, else good. Perhaps a lone survivor: no copies located on either abebooks or WorldCat.