The Hon. Director and Council have considered it advisable to ordain that the Inhabitants residing at and around Fort Amsterdam, of what state, quality or condition soever they be, shall each provide himself with a good gun and keep the same in good repair and at all times ready and in order; and as they live at a distance from one another, every warned person is placed under his corporal in order that in time of danger he may appear at his post with his gun. Should it happen, which God forbid, that any mischief occur either from enemies or …

And whereas it is of the utmost importance to the safety of every state, that it should always be in a condition of defense; and it is the duty of every man who enjoys the protection of society, to be prepared and willing to defend it: This convention therefore, in the name and by the authority of the good people of this State, doth ordain, determine and declare, that the militia of this State, at all times hereafter, as well in peace as in war, shall be armed and disciplined, and in readiness for service. That all such of the …

Chap. 33. An act for regulating the militia of the State of New York . . . Be it therefore enacted by the People of the state of New York represented in Senate and Assembly, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same. That every able bodied male person Indians and slaves excepted residing within this state from sixteen years of age to fifty (except such persons as are herein after excepted) shall immediately after the passing of this act tender himself to be enrolled as of the militia to the captain or in his absence the …

That every able-bodied male person, being a citizen of this State, or of any of the United States, and residing in this State, (except such persons as are herein after excepted) and who are of the age of sixteen, and under the age of forty-five years, shall, by the captain or commanding officer of the beat in which such citizens shall reside, within four months after the passing of this act, be enroled [sic] in the company of such beat. . . . That every citizen so enroled [sic] and notified shall within three months thereafter provide himself at his …