The U.S. Constitution granted Congress the power for “organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia.” While the Constitution does not prohibit citizens’ forming a heavily armed group and calling themselves a militia, it does not authorize or grant it legal standing either.
On Aug. 7, 1760, Sgt. Cameron of the 44th Regiment of Foot was tried under the accusation he had threatened to report the commandant of Fort Niagara to Gen. Thomas Gage.