Thread by @TedBundy5000

🧵A thread on the interpretation of the Second Amendment by members of the U.S. House of Representatives during the 25th Congress.🧵
@2aHistory @MorosKostas

In 1837 and 1838, Canadian citizens were rebelling against their British rulers. American citizens living along the border of Canada began transporting and selling weapons to the Canadian rebels, and some Americans even participated in the rebellions. Prior to these rebellions...

the American government was on good terms with the British government. However, the American government began to fear that the actions of its citizens would harm this relationship, and possibly result in another war between America and Britain. Thus, in February of 1838, the...

American government began drafting a bill that would allow government officials to seize weapons headed for the rebellions in Canada. When this bill was being debated in the U.S. House, the House members made references to the Second Amendment. Each reference that they made is...

in concordance with the individual-right interpretation of the Second Amendment, and in discordance with the militia-only interpretation. Let's now examine these references.

The following images are from the newspaper "New York American for the Country". February 23, 1838. Page 4.

The first House member to mention the Second Amendment was Francis O.J. Smith of Maine. This occurred during the session on February 16, 1838. Smith was very much against the bill.

Smith, part 2

Smith, part 3

Smith, part 4

Smith, part 5

Next up is Hopkins Holsey of Georgia. Same session as the above. Same source as the above.

Samson Mason of Ohio, during the session on February 17, 1838. The source of the image is the Washington DC based newspaper "Daily National Intelligencer". February 26, 1838. Page 1.

Richard H. Menefee of Kentucky, during the session on February 20, 1838. Source: Daily National Intelligencer. February 22, 1838. Page 2.

Isaac Toucey of Connecticut, during the session on February 22, 1838. Source: Daily National Intelligencer. February 27, 1838. Page 2.

Richard P. Marvin of New York, during the session on February 23, 1838. Source: Daily National Intelligencer. February 28, 1838. Page 2.

This image is not a quote from a particular congressman. It is a brief report of the sessions. It is from the Portland, Maine based newspaper "The Christian Mirror". March 1, 1838. Page 3.

Another report, but this one is mixed with commentary. This is from a different Portland, Maine based newspaper: "Portland Advertiser and Gazette of Maine". February 27, 1838. Page 4.