M^r Gerry took notice that there was no check here ag^{st} standing armies in time of peace. The existing Cong^s is so constructed that it cannot of itself maintain an army. This w^d not be the case under the new system. The people were jealous on this head, and great opposition to the plan would spring from such an omission. He suspected that preparations of force were now making ag^{st} it. (he seemed to allude to the activity of the Gov^r of N. York at this crisis in disciplining the militia of that State.) He thought an army dangerous in time of peace & could never consent to a power to keep up an indefinite number. He proposed that there shall not be kept up in time of peace more than ---- thousand troops. His idea was that the blank should be filled with two or three thousand. Instead of "to build and equip fleets"--"to provide and maintain a navy" agreed to nem. con. as a more convenient definition of the power. "To make rules for the Government and regulation of the land & naval forces," added from the existing Articles of Confederation. M^r L. Martin and M^r Gerry now regularly moved "provided that in time of peace the army shall not consist of more than ---- thousand men." Gen^l Pinkney asked whether no troops were ever to be raised untill an attack should be made on us? M^r Gerry. If there be no restriction, a few States may establish a military Gov^t. M^r Williamson, reminded him of M^r Mason's motion for limiting the appropriation of revenue as the best guard in this case. M^r Langdon saw no room for M^r Gerry's distrust of the Representatives of the people. M^r Dayton. Preparations for war are generally made in peace; and a standing force of some sort may, for ought we know, become unavoidable. He should object to no restrictions consistent with these ideas. The motion of M^r Martin and M^r Gerry was disagreed to nem. con. M^r Mason moved as an additional power "to make laws for the regulation and discipline of the militia of the several States, reserving to the States the appointment of the officers." He considered uniformity as necessary in the regulation of the Militia throughout the Union. Gen^l Pinkney mentioned a case during the war in which a dissimilarity in the militia of different States had produced the most serious mischiefs. Uniformity was essential. The States would never keep up a proper discipline of their militia.