“Every friend to America must reprobate the idea of introducing a standing army in our Republic. The establishment of a well disciplined militia, must be an object the most salutary and desirable. On the permanency of this measure, the happiness & security of the people, & the force and energy of the Government greatly depend…”

Excellent-content manuscript from the Massachusetts legislature in response to Governor John Hancock’s call for consideration of the new Federal Bill of Rights. The state legislative leaders specifically address what would become the Second and Sixth Amendments, dealing with the right to bear arms and trial by jury, respectively. Their response to what would become the Second Amendment shows that its foundation, for many at the time, was fear of a standing army. They also respond favorably to Hancock’s suggestions about state support for education in general, and Harvard (“the University at Cambridge”) specifically.

“The General Assembly doth particularly protest against the palpable and alarming infractions of the Constitution, in the two late cases of the Alien and Sedition Acts…the first of which exercises a power no where delegated to the Federal Government.”

On December 24, 1798, the General Assembly of Virginia printed and distributed James Madison’s resolution in protest of the Alien and Sedition Acts, a significant development in the establishment of states’ rights. An equally rare letter, written and signed by the Governor of Virginia, accompanies the resolution as it is delivered to another fledgling state. Unwilling to accept what they view as a trampling of rights guaranteed by the Constitution, the members of the Virginia legislature, under Madison’s guiding hand, formalize and distribute their protest in the form of this resolution.

One June 8, 1789, James Madison introduced into the House of Representatives the initial proposal of resolutions in nine areas where he deems amendments to the Constitution necessary.

“Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America … That the following articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States….”

Very rare printing of twelve proposed amendments to the Constitution, as approved by the Senate on September 9, 1789, but not yet reconciled with the House. Article 3, guaranteeing freedom of religion, underwent the most substantial changes between this and the final version ten days later. 

Remarkable full printing of the seventeen amendments to the Constitution approved by the House of Representatives on August 24th. Ultimately, ten of these amendments would be ratified by the states as the Bill of Rights. On May 4, 1789, two months into the first session of the First Federal Congress, James Madison had announced to the House of Representatives that he intended to propose amendments that would guarantee basic civil rights. The absence of such language had almost waylaid acceptance of the Constitution. In the end, New York and several other states had agreed to ratify the Constitution with the understanding that a Bill of Rights would be added at a later date.

Less than a week after introducing them in the House of Representatives, Madison’s proposed Bill of Rights makes the newspapers. He lists nine areas where he deems amendments necessary. Congress would send twelve amendments to the states for ratification in September 1789.