in the legislature were faithful to their testimony of peace and refused to act. In Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin proposed to defend the town with a voluntary association, which men could freely join or not as they pleased. They were to supply their own weapons, elect their own officers, and choose a military council for short terms. Costs would be borne by voluntary subscription. Discipline would be done without corporal punishment, but only by “little fines . . . to be apply’d to the purchasing of drums, colours, etc.,” or “to refresh their weary spirits after exercise.” Incredibly, it
...more
