Excerpt from Resolves of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts: Passed at the Several Sessions of the General Court, Holden in Boston, Beginning 26th May, 1812, and Ending on the 2d March, 1815

Might be comprised under the former attention of the Convention has been and pretensions advanced, and the authority exercised over the militia, by the executive and legislative departments of the Na tional Government. Also, upon the destitution of the means of defence m which the Eastern States are left, while at the same time they are doomed to heavy requisitions of men and money for national Objects.' The authority of the National Government over the militia rs derived f1om those clauses ln the Constitution which give power to Congress to provide f01 calling forth the militia, to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrections and repel inva sions - Also, to rovido for organizing, arming and discipli ning the militia, and) for governing such parts of them as may be employed in the service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively the appointment Of the Officers, and the authority Of training the militia according to the discipline pre scribed by Congress. Again, The President shall be Com mander m Chief of the army and navy1 of the United States, and of the militia of the several States, when called into the actual service of the United States. In these specified cases only, has the Nat1onal Government any power overthe militia; and it follows conclusively, that for all general and ordinary purposes, this power belongs to the States respectively, and to them alone. It 15 not only with regret, but with astonishment, the Convention perceive that under colour of an autho1ity conferred with such plain and precise limitations, a power is arrogated by the execu tive government, and m some instances sanctioned by the two Houses Of Congress, of control over the militia, which if conce ded, will render nugatory the rightful authority of the individual States over that class of men, and by placing at the disposal of the N at1onal Government the lives and services of the great body of the people, enable it at pleasure to destroy their liberties, and erect a military despotism on the ruins.

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