The thing that separates the American Christian from every other person on earth is the fact that he would rather die on his feet, than live on his knees! George Washington

When wrongs are pressed because it is believed they will be borne, resistance becomes morality. Thomas Jefferson

Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves? It is feared, then, that we shall turn our arms each man against his own bosom. Congress have no power to disarm the militia. Their swords, and every other terrible implement of the soldier, are the birthright of an American...the unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or state governments, but, where I trust in God it will ever remain, in the hands of the people. A Pennsylvanian, The Pennsylvania Gazette, February 20, 1788

When the resolution of enslaving America was formed in Great Britain, the British Parliament was advised by an artful man, — who was governor of Pennsylvania, to disarm the people; that it 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, speech in the Virginia Ratifying Convention, June 14, 1778

What, Sir, is the use of a militia? It is to prevent the establishment of a standing army, the bane of liberty. Whenever governments mean to invade the rights and liberties of the people, they always attempt to destroy the militia, in order to raise an army upon their ruins. Elbridge Gerry

If fear is cultivated it will become stronger, if faith is cultivated it will achieve mastery. John Paul Jones

[W]hereas, to preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them; nor does it follow from this, that all promiscuously must go into actual service on every occasion. The mind that aims at a select militia, must be influenced by a truly anti-republican principle; and when we see many men disposed to practice upon it, whenever they can prevail, no wonder true republicans are for carefully guarding against it. Federal Farmer, Antifederalist Letter, No.18, January 25, 1778

Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom of Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops that can be, on any pretence, raised in the United States. Noah Webster, An Examination into the Leading Principles of the Federal Constitution, 1787

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. Patrick Henry, speech in the Virginia Ratifying Convention, June 5, 1778

It is important also to consider, that the surest means of avoiding war is to be prepared for it in peace. Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution, 1833

Laws that forbid the carrying of arms... disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes... Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man. Cesare Beccaria, On Crimes and Punishment, quoted by Thomas Jefferson in Commonplace Book, 1774-1776

A militia, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves ... and include all men capable of bearing arms. Richard Henry Lee

Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves? Is it feared, then, that we shall turn our arms each man gainst his own bosom. Congress have no power to disarm the militia. Their swords, and every other terrible implement of the soldier, are the birthright of an American...[T]he unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or state governments, but, where I trust in God it will ever remain, in the hands of the people. Tenche Coxe, The Pennsylvania Gazette, Feb. 20, 1788


The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States, who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms. Samuel Adams

Americans [have] the right and advantage of being armed, unlike the citizens of other countries whose governments are afraid to trust their people with arms. James Madison

A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks. Thomas Jefferson to Peter Carr, 1785. The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, (Memorial Edition) Lipscomb and Bergh, editors.

One loves to possess arms, though they hope never to have occasion for them. Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 1796. The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, (Memorial Edition) Lipscomb and Bergh, editors.

Laws that forbid the carrying of arms... disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes... Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man. Jefferson's "Commonplace Book," 1774_1776, quoting from On Crimes and Punishment, by criminologist Cesare Beccaria, 1764

No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms. Thomas Jefferson, Proposed Virginia Constitution, 1776, Jefferson Papers 344.

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William Hooper - Signer from North Carolina

With hard work, Hooper's business brought success.
After signing for freedom, his life was duress.

Episcopalian Ian Dorion, "Table of the Religious Affiliations of American Founders," 1997.

He was the oldest of five children born in Boston to Reverend William Hooper, a Scotch immigrant and Congregationalist clergyman who later transferred to the Anglican Church, and to Mary Dennie, daughter of a Boston merchant.

After seven years of education at Boston Latin School, he entered Harvard College where he graduated to continue his studies in law under James Otis.

In 1767, he settled in Wilmington, North Carolina, and married Anne Clarke, the daughter of an early settler to the area.

In 1773 he represented Wilmington in the General Assembly and attended the Continental Congress in 1774.

He proved himself a man of high honor when he spoke out against an unfair bill that, if passed, would have elevated his law profession, but he chose against it because it would be unfair. He showed that as a philotomist he preferred honorable poverty to wealth if the acquisition of wealth were to be made at the expense of principle.

Hooper became the "Prophet of Independence" because in 1774 he wrote,

"The Colonies are striding fast to independence, and ere long will build an empire upon the ruins of Great Britain; will adopt its Constitution, purged of its impurities, and from an experience of its defects, will guard against those evils which have wasted its vigor."

He chaired a committee which prepared a resolution for a day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer to be observed throughout the colonies on July 20, 1775. (See below)

With Thomas Jefferson, Hooper served on a committee to draft the Declaration of Independence. Even though it saddened him to see that members of his family remained loyalists, he nevertheless donated his fortune and future professional income as a lawyer toward the cause.

In 1777, he contracted yellow fever and was obliged to leave Congress.

As a result of his siding with the patriots against his own family, the lobster-coats destroyed his plantation. Mrs. Hooper and two of her children were forced to flee by wagon to Hillsborough where her brother General Clark sheltered them.

Suffering from his illness and a badly injured arm, and fleeing from home to home, Hooper also found refuge in Hillsborough, where he was able to serve as a state legislator.

He attended the General Assembly of 1777-81 as member for the borough of Wilmington, serving on numerous committees. Per the treaty ending the war, he forgave loyalists and protected their rights even when a majority in his jurisdiction wanted revenge.

Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. Luke 17:31

William Hooper, 1742-1790, Misunderstood Patriot (Ph.D. diss., Tulane University, 1980); William Powell, North Carolina: A History (Chapel Hill, 1988); Edward C. Quinn, Signer Of The Constitution Of The United States (New York, 1988); Phillip Roth, Masonry In The Formation Of Our Government, 1761-1799 (New York, December, 2005) Pyne, Frederick Wallace, Descendants of the Signers of The Declaration of Independence, Volume 7 http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers/hooper.htm
Baker, Thomas E., The Monuments St Guilford Courthouse National Military Park Pyne, Frederick Wallace, Rev., Descendants of the Signers of The Declaration of Independence, Volume 7

General George Washington observes Day of Public Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer
July 16, 1775
The Continental Congress having earnestly recommended, that "Thursday next the 20th. Instant, be observed by the Inhabitants of all the English Colonies upon this Continent, as a Day of public Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer; that they may with united Hearts and Voice unfeignedly confess their Sins before God, and supplicate the all wise and merciful disposer of events, to avert the Desolation and Calamities of an unnatural war." The General orders, that Day to be religiously observed by the Forces under his Command, exactly in manner directed by the proclamation of the Continental Congress: It is therefore strictly enjoin'd on all Officers and Soldiers, (not upon duty) to attend Divine Service, at the accustomed places of worship, as well in the Lines, as the Encampments and Quarters; and it is expected, that all those who go to worship, do take their Arms, Ammunitions and Accoutrements and are prepared for immediate Action if called upon. If in the judgment of the Officers, the Works should appear to be in such forwardness as the utmost security of the Camp requires, they will command their men to abstain from all Labour upon that solemn day.

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