"Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves? Congress have no power to disarm the militia. Their swords and every other terrible implement of the soldier, are the birthright of an American . . . . The 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." --- Tench Coxe The Pennsylvania Gazette, Feb. 20, 1788
When Coxe speaks of "swords" do you really believe that he limits the arms of the people to swords? Do you believe that his phrase "every other terrible implement of the soldier" refers only to muskets? Why would he use the word "every"?
How would the limitation you claim be consistent with the words, "The unlimited power of the sword" and what does Coxe mean when he suggests that such power is NOT in the hands of the federal or state governments?
Coxe was a Pennsylvania delegate to the Continental Congress in 1789. Why would the people of Pennsylvania select him if he was so confused about the right of the people to keep and bear arms?
I have no issue with Coxe's inclusion of swords. The context is the difference between arms and ordnance.