Rhode Island Commission - This is one of my favorite documents, because the Rhode Island legislature didn't mince words. This commission states in part, "and in Case of an Invasion or Assault by a common Enemy, to infest or disturb this or any other of the said States, you are to alarm and gather together the (soldiers) under your Command, or any Part thereof as you shall deem sufficient, and therewith, to the utmost of your Skill and Ability, your are to resist, expel, kill, and destroy them, in order to preserve the Lives, Liberties and Properties of the good People of this and the other United States." Well, that's stating it plainly.