Jefferson’s pre-July 4th (1775) Declaration to Bear Arms Exclusive: Chuck Norris highlights brilliant, freedom-defending prose of 32-year-old founder Most people know Thomas Jefferson was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. But how many know a year earlier, in 1775, he penned a U.S. Declaration to Bear Arms? A year prior to Congress’ adoption and ratification of the Declaration of Independence, the members were signing a declaration to pick up arms against England. And Jefferson was again the primary author. Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence when he was only 33 years old, the youngest member of Congress. He penned the Declaration of Arms when he was just 32. Jefferson’s literary genius was apparent to John Adams, who described him this way in 1822: “Mr. Jefferson came into Congress in June, 1775, and brought with him a reputation for literature, science, and a happy talent of composition. Writings of his were handed about, remarkable for the peculiar felicity of expression. Though a silent member in Congress, he was so prompt, frank, explicit, and decisive upon committees and in conversation – not even Samuel Adams was more so – that he soon seized upon my heart; …” History.com explained how on July 6, 1775, just a single day after our founders issued their Olive Branch Petition to King George III, Congress gave just reason for “the causes and necessity of their taking up arms.” In it, they wrote they would rather “die free men rather than live as slaves.” Four months earlier, in April 1775, patriot resistance and the “shot that was heard around the world” fired off in Lexington and Concord. Now, it was time for our founders and Congress to square off against the king himself, so they initiated the Declaration of Arms. It’s official and lengthier name is: “A Declaration by the Representatives of the United Colonies of North-America, Now Met in Congress at Philadelphia, Setting Forth the Causes and Necessity of Their Taking Up Arms.” It was primarily the work of Thomas Jefferson and John Dickinson – the former wrote a first draft and the latter the final draft. It is fascinating how the 1775 Declaration of Arms begins in much the same way as the 1776 Declaration of Independence, noting how human life and our inalienable rights are from God, and no man has the right to dismiss or usurp them. Listen to how Jefferson began this other self-evident truth: “If it was possible for men, who exercise their reason to believe, that the divine Author of our existence intended a part of the human race to hold an absolute property in, and an unbounded power over others, marked out by his infinite goodness and wisdom, as the objects of a legal domination never rightfully resistible, however severe and oppressive, the inhabitants of these colonies might at least require from the parliament of Great-Britain some evidence, that this dreadful authority over them, has been granted to that body. But a reverence for our Creator, principles of humanity, and the dictates of common sense, must convince all those who reflect upon the subject, that government was instituted to promote the welfare of mankind, and ought to be administered for the attainment of that end.” The Declaration of Arms then goes on to say that the patriots labored in vain to negotiate peacefully with the Crown, though they would not give up continuing to try and do so: “Fruitless were all the entreaties, arguments, and eloquence of an illustrious band of the most distinguished peers, and commoners, who nobly and strenuously asserted the justice of our cause, to stay, or even to mitigate the heedless fury with which these accumulated and unexampled outrages were hurried on.” Initially, inhabitants of Boston showed compliance, “having deposited their arms with their own magistrate,” but it only led to the detainment of “the greatest part of the inhabitants in the town.” The consequences were dire: “By this perfidy wives are separated from their husbands, children from their parents, the aged and the sick from their relations and friends, who wish to attend and comfort them; and those who have been used to live in plenty and even elegance, are reduced to deplorable distress.” So, because of the “oppressive measures,” “several threatening expressions,” “killings …hostilities,” “butchering of our countryman,” “our ships and vessels are seized; the necessary supplies of provisions are intercepted, and … spread destruction and devastation” by the Crown upon the “United Colonies,” the “indignation of the Americans was roused.” From this point onward the Declaration of Arms follows Jefferson’s solo draft: “We are reduced to the alternative of choosing an unconditional submission to the tyranny of irritated ministers, or resistance by force. – The latter is our choice. – We have counted the cost of this contest, and find nothing so dreadful as voluntary slavery. – Honor, justice, and humanity, forbid us tamely to surrender that freedom which we received from our gallant ancestors, and which our innocent posterity have a right to receive from us. We cannot endure the infamy and guilt of resigning succeeding generations to that wretchedness which inevitably awaits them, if we basely entail hereditary bondage upon them.” The following words are almost poetic in their passion: “Our cause is just. Our union is perfect. Our internal resources are great, and, if necessary, foreign assistance is undoubtedly attainable. – We gratefully acknowledge, as signal instances of the Divine favor towards us, that his Providence would not permit us to be called into this severe controversy, until we were grown up to our present strength, had been previously exercised in warlike operation, and possessed of the means of defending ourselves. With hearts fortified with these animating reflections, we most solemnly, before God and the world, declare, that, exerting the utmost energy of those powers, which our beneficent Creator hath graciously bestowed upon us, the arms we have been compelled by our enemies to assume, we will, in defiance of every hazard, with unabating firmness and perseverance, employ for the preservation of our liberties; being with one mind resolved to die freemen rather than to live slaves.” Jefferson concluded, “In our own native land, in defense of the freedom that is our birthright, and which we ever enjoyed till the late violation of it – for the protection of our property, acquired solely by the honest industry of our fore-fathers and ourselves, against violence actually offered, we have taken up arms. We shall lay them down when hostilities shall cease on the part of the aggressors, and all danger of their being renewed shall be removed, and not before.” Is it any surprise that this Declaration of Arms combined with the Declaration of Independence would eventually lead to the Second Amendment of our Bill of Rights? Those simple and succinct 27 words could not be any clearer: “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Again, could it get any clearer? “The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” Tragically, more and more, constitutional pillars of American life and liberty are being attacked and abandoned, not only out of sheer bias but ignorance of America’s founders, the Revolutionary period, and our U.S. Constitution. I don’t think I’ve ever been as thankful for American freedoms as I am today. I must admit that I’m also appallingly alarmed by the onslaught of assaults that grow every year to strip us of them. Like a sunset dropping over the horizon of our founders’ dreams, so our freedoms are vanishing from view. But that is what we must not let happen. Legendary Southern rock group, Lynyrd Skynyrd, which produced megahits like “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Free Bird,” put it well in their song (and album with the same title), “God and Guns”: God and guns Keep us strong That’s what this country Was founded on Well we might as well give up and run If we let them take our God and guns Happy Birthday, America! God has certainly shed His grace on thee! Jefferson's pre-July 4th (1775) Declaration to Bear Arms
I don't believe there is anything more clear in the Constitution than the Second Amendment. Two very distinct part that are very clear and in no way cancel each other out. We all need to remember and keep in mind that it is not just the 2A that is under heavy attack.......... It is the entire Constitution and Law of the Land that is under attack. Those that want Socialism AKA Communism and Collectivism want the entire Constitution removed from existence, they don't even try to conceal the intent and end goal anymore.
There will be a Revolution in our future, of that I am sure, the real question is how big, how quick, and the cost in Blood! This revolution will not be to kick out a King, but to kick out the leftist who wish to destroy this country in the name of some grandiose utopian dream they have no idea how to build or to pay for it all! "They" demand absolute control over We the People at all cost, they are going to find out that cost is much more then they can bear!
Read a biography on Thomas Jefferson the man amazing, I have come to the conclusion our forefathers who established this nation were truly learned men. They did not have the modern day distractions of movies, TV, cell phones, computers, 24/7 slanted news etc. These were men who had extensive libraries on every subject from religions of the world, science, history, philosophy, medicine etc. These libraries were not for show they actually read these books. thus becoming learned men. They communicated by writing letters, they met in pubs and taverns face to face to discuss issues of the day. They were unlike our politicians today who are not educated men but indoctrinated men by liberal universities. Our forefathers had a passion for establishing a total new form of limited government that represented the people unlike todays politicians who want to expand government, have no passion for this country, and want to advance their own agenda and personal wealth. via bribe, kick backs. Our forefathers knew the key to the nations survival was an educated We the People but alas We the People have become indoctrinated, uneducated, lazy and more interested in my cited distractions thus becoming more easily manipulated. I end my rant and wish all a happy upcoming 4th of July
Well said Johnbb, the seven deadly sins, we seem to want to live all of them at the same time and just like Israel when they turned away from God were destroyed, we too shall fail in a grand manner if we don’t turn back to God and the ways of our founding fathers. Maybe the pole shift and the tribulations that come with it are the Lord’s way of a great reset, don’t know but I guess we’ll find out.
So, after reading this everyone should realize why they have not tried a total firearm ban or repeal of the 2nd Amendment. It would be, like before, the last straw and the point of no return. Furthermore, I believe they know they couldn't win, for they neither have the majority of the people or the willingness to die for their beliefs. Yeah, they make a lot of noise, but we must remember they are nowhere close to being a majority even though they try to sound like it.
