The Origin Of The Second Amendment - Early Sources On America's Armed Civil Population, Part 9

Patrick Henry Marches With Hanover Volunteers Against Virginia's Governor, And Benjamin Franklin Describes All America Learning The Use Of Arms

As noted in the previous part, imports of arms and ammunition into the America Colonies were banned by the British in late 1774. And, as previously noted, British appointed governors in the Colonies were preventing laws from being passed by the people for any purpose because they would vote for armed defense by the militia, meaning by the people. Those governors were also actively trying to assure government control over all types of arms and ammunition anywhere possible.

The day after the Revolutionary War started in Massachusetts, and well before any news of that event was available to the south, Governor Dunmore of Virginia ordered the removal of gunpowder from the Williamsburg powder house. British marines used the governor's private wagon to haul the powder away before dawn on April 20, 1775, and store it on a British vessel under his control. The governor claimed this action was to prevent a slave rebellion and assured local leaders that if a rebellion occurred, he would instantly return the powder. However, the next day Dunmore threatened to free the slaves and lay waste to Williamsburg due to perceived threats to himself and the two British officers involved. 

On learning of the powder seizure, Patrick Henry sought approval from the local committee for marching the Hanover Volunteers to retrieve the powder. Such approval was denied. After news of hositilies between British forces and the people of Massachusetts at Lexington and Concord was received around April 28, 1775, the committee approved such action. Henry was offered command of the Volunteers and accepted. His forces were augmented with other volunteers joining his march to Williamsburg to retrieve the colony's powder. It was never likely that the powder could be retrieved unless the Governor gave such an order. However, Henry was able to collect full payment for the powder from the colony's receiver general. This ended possible military action, but it earning a rebel declaration for all involved, especially Henry, from Dunmore.

In Pennsylvania, Benjamin Franklin, having departed London as represenative of the American colonies, arrived back home in Philadelphia on May 5, 1775. From Franklin's letter to Jonathan Shipley in England regarding America when he first returned in early May:

"I found at my arrival all America from one end of the 12 united Provinces to the other, busily employed in learning the Use of Arms. The Attack upon the Country People near Boston by the Army had rous'd every Body, & exasperated the whole Continent. The Tradesmen of this City were in the Field twice a day, at 5 in the Morning, and Six in the Afternoon, disciplining with the utmost Diligence, all being Volunteers. We have now three Battalions, a troop of Light Horse, and a company of Artillery, who have made surprizing Progress. The same Spirit appears every where and the Unanimity is amazing." [Letters Of Delegates To Congress, Vol. 1, p.604]

Joseph Hewes, delegate to Congress from North Carolina, wrote Samuel Johnston on May 11, 1775 from Philadelphia:

"Nothing is heard but the sound of Drums & Fifes, all Ranks & Degrees of men are in Arms learning the Manual Exercise Evolution & the management of Artillery. They have now in this City Twenty eight Companies of Foot of 68 men each including Officers all of whom are out twice every day in Training. Several more Companies are forming, they have also two companies of Light Horse in short it is impossible to describe the Spirit of these people and the alteration they have undergone since I left them in December last. All the Quakers except a few of the old Rigid ones have taken up arms, there is not one Company without several of these people in it, and I am told one or two of the Companies are composed entirely of Quakers. The people of this Province in general are associating in Companies and employing Sarjants to teach them the exercise. I find all the Provinces are in Arms Except No. Carolina. New York has been Converted almost as instantaneously as St Paul was of old,. . ." [Delegates, Vol.1, pp.342-343]

A most interesting question here - where did all of these arms come from in Pennsylvania, the only American colony that never adopted a compulsory militia law requiring arms possession? And what was the actual deal with the Quakers and arms? How could these things happen without some law being passed to authorize it? These points will be addressed in an appropriate later post.

In Part 10, The people of Boston Are disarmed, and the Continental Congress declares such action as one of the causes and necessity of taking up arms.