Article 1, Section 8, Clause 14

Document 1

Records of the Federal Convention

[2:330; Madison, 18 Aug.]

"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 "provided that in time of peace the army shall not consist of more than thousand men."

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 restrictions consistent with these ideas.

The motion of Mr. Martin & Mr. Gerry was disagreed to nem. con.

[2:570, 595; Committee of Style]

To make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces.

The Founders' Constitution
Volume 3, Article 1, Section 8, Clause 14, Document 1
http://press-pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/documents/a1_8_14s1.html
The University of Chicago Press

Farrand, Max, ed. The Records of the Federal Convention of 1787. Rev. ed. 4 vols. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1937.