Bill of Rights

Letter from Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, December 20, 1787

May 31, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive

Thomas Jefferson December 20, 1787 Writing from Paris, where he was ambassador, Jefferson is responding to reports he’s hearing about the new Constitution. Some advocates of the Constitution argued that a Bill of Rights was unnecessary because Congress could only exercise powers it was explicitly granted. Jefferson disagreed. DEAR SIR, My last to you was of Oct. 8 by the Count de Moustier. Yours of July 18. Sep. 6. & Oct. 24. have been successively received, yesterday, the day before…

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Letter from Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, March 15, 1789

May 31, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive

Thomas Jefferson March 15, 1789 James Madison had written Jefferson suggesting that perhaps a Bill of Rights might not be wise, since it would not have the breadth that the two of them might want. Jefferson responded forcefully that a Bill of Rights was essential. Your thoughts on the subject of the Declaration of rights in the letter of Oct. 17. I have weighed with great satisfaction. Some of them had not occurred to me before, but were acknoleged just…

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Patrick Henry at the Virginia Ratifying Convention, June 12, 1788

May 31, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive

Patrick Henry June 12, 1788 During the debates over ratification of the Constitution, supporters argued that religion was protected because the document didn’t give Congress explicit powers to regular religion. Patrick Henry, a popular figure in Virginia, opposed the Constitution and stated that such an important right should be explicitly protected. Wherefore is religious liberty not secured? One honorable gentlemen, who favors adoption, said that he had had his fears on the subject. If I can well recollect, he informed…

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James Madison Comments at Virginia Ratifying Convention, April 12, 1785

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

James Madison June 12, 1788 In the Virginia convention called to consider ratification of the Constitution, opponents such as Patrick Henry argued that the Constitution would allow creation of a national religion or other forms of state involvement in religion. James Madison returned to Virginia to rebut the arguments himself, claiming that a Bill of Rights was not needed because the Constitution did not give Congress powers to regular religion. The honorable member has introduced the subject of religion. Religion…

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Bill of Rights Amendments Offered in Congress by James Madison, June 8, 1789

May 27, 2017 Religious Freedom Archive Comments 0 Comment

James Madison June 8, 1789 James Madison initially argued that a Bill of Rights was unnecessary. But in his first race for Congress, he promised he would propose a Bill of Rights, including a provision for religious freedom. He kept his promise. On June 8, 1789, he went to the floor of the House and proposed amendments to be embedded throughout the original constitution, rather than as a separate Bill of Rights. His proposal included language that would evolve into…

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