?0 RECORDS OF THE FEDERAL CONVENTION Saturday MADISON .4ugust x8 Instead of "to build and equip fleets"--"to provide & maintain a navy" agreed to nem. con as a more convenient definition of the power. "To make rules for the Government and regulation of the land & naval forces?" -- added from the existing Articles of Confederation. Mr. L. Martin and Mr. Gerry now regularly moved "pro- vided that in time of peace the army shall not consist of more than thousand men." ?0 Genl. Pinkney asked whether no troops were ever to be raised untill an attack should be made on us? Mr. Gerry. if there be no restriction, a few States may establish a military Govt. Mr. Williamson, reminded him of Mr. Mason's motion for limiting the appropriation of revenue as the best guard in this case. Mr. Langdon saw no room for Mr. Gerry's distrust of the Representatives of the people. Mr. Dayton. preparations for war are generally made in peace; and a standing force of some sort may, for ought we know, become unavoidable. He should object to no restric- tions consistent with these ideas. The motion of Mr. Martin & Mr. Gerry was disagreed to hem. con. Mr. Mason moved as an additional power "to make laws for the regulation and discipline of the Militia of the several States reserving to the States the appointment of the Officers". He considered uniformity as necessary in the regulation of the Militia throughout the Union. Genl Pinkney mentioned a case during the war in which a dissimilarity in the militia of different States had produced the most serious mischiefs. Uniformity was essential. The States would never keep up a proper discipline of their militia. Mr. Elseworth was for going as far in submitting the militia to the GeM Government as might be necessary? but thought the motion of Mr. Mason went too far. He (moved} ?0 On thls motion see Appendix A, CLVIII (5I), CXClI,
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