well regulated

[Baker, John]

        "Regulated" meant (and still means) "governed by rule, properly controlled or directed, adjusted to some standard, etc."  In addition, "regulated" with respect specifically to troops meant "properly disciplined."  The Oxford English Dictionary gives only one example of this meaning, from 1690:  "We hear likewise that the French are in a great Allarm in Dauphine and Bresse, not having at present 1500 Men of regulated Troops on that side."  Although the OED designates this meaning as "rare," this is probably the intended meaning.

        In other words, Jim Laudau's suggestion about the revolutionary experience with militias is likely correct:  This is just an editorial aside about how a militia should work.


John Baker