I admit with some embarassment that I wasn't aware of the contributions of Tench Coxe. I was alluding to The Federalist, and other better known writings by better known Founders. I just looked him up and scanned his biographical information. I also found this
"Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves? Is it feared, then, that we shall turn our arms each man gainst his own bosom. Congress have no power to disarm the militia. Their swords, and every other terrible implement of the soldier, are the birthright of an American...[T]he unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or state governments, but, where I trust in God it will ever remain, in the hands of the people." Tenche Coxe, The Pennsylvania Gazette, Feb. 20, 1788.
Thank you for broadening my knowledge.
"As civil rulers, not having their duty to the people duly before them, may attempt to tyrannize, and as the military forces which must be occasionally raised to defend our country, might pervert their power to the injury of their fellow citizens, the people are confirmed by the article in their right to keep and bear their private arms." - Tench Coxe in "Remarks on the First Part of the Amendments to the Federal Constitution." Under the pseudonym "A Pennsylvanian" in the Philadelphia Federal Gazette, June 18, 1789 at 2 col. 1.
Now, I’m going to grab an original 1787 newspaper in my personal library. I didn’t purchase it because of Coxe...but it sure would be nice to find an original publication by him. If there is one, I will quote it here in full.