1790 George Washington - Well Regulated Militia

 One of George Washington's first items to address, was the creation of a well regulated Militia.   Washington clearly stated his goal. It was not to conquer other nations, nor expand our territory, but t preserve our peace.   In Washington's words, "To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace".  "Peace Through Strength",  A phrase that would be made famous by President Ronald Reagan in 1964 and repeated through out his presidency.  In response, Congress set to work on the Militia Acts of 1792. The first act passed provided for the authority of the president to call out the militias of several states "whenever the United States shall be invaded, or be in imminent danger of invasion from any foreign nation or Indian tribe." The second act provided for the organization of the state militias, requiring that all male citizens between the ages of 18 and 45 own a gun and be enrolled in the militia.

 In his first address to congress in January of 1790, George Washington urged congress to begin working on a Militia act. Congress did, and two years later, on May 2nd of 1792 the first act was passed. Here are Washington's words:

"Among the many interesting objects which will engage your attention that of providing for the common defense will merit particular regard. To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace. 

A free people ought not only to be armed, but disciplined; to which end a uniform and well-digested plan is requisite; and their safety and interest require that they should promote such manufactories as tend to render them independent of others for essential, particularly military, supplies.

The proper establishment of the troops which may be deemed indispensable will be entitled to mature consideration. In the arrangements which may be made respecting it will be of importance to conciliate the comfortable support of the officers and soldiers with a due regard to economy. 

There was reason to hope that the pacific measures adopted with regard to certain hostile tribes of Indians would have relieved the inhabitants of our southern and western frontiers from their depredations, but you will perceive from the information contained in the papers which I shall direct to be laid before you (comprehending a communication from the Commonwealth of Virginia) that we ought to be prepared to afford protection to those parts of the Union, and, if necessary, to punish aggressors."

Two years earlier in 1788, before Washington became the first president, Alexander Hamilton wrote a letter describing the need for a well-regulated Militia. This letter became known as Federalist #29, a set of letters written by Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay arguing for a stronger central government. George Washington, did not author any of the Federalist papers, but he was a broad supporter of the Federalists.

In Federalist #29, Alexander Hamilton argued that the required discipline and uniformity of a militia "can only be accomplished by confiding the regulation of the militia to the direction of the national authority". George Washington was repeating the same argument in 1790.

http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=29431
http://www.militaryheritage.org/MilitiaAct1792.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Militia_Acts_of_1792

http://thomas.loc.gov/home/histdox/fed_29.html