In Conversation With
Accession № BR–1791–2026
BILL of RIGHTS Ratified December 15, 1791 The Conventions of a number of the States having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers... Amendment I. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech... religion · speech press · assembly Amendment II. A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. arms Amendment III. No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner... quartering Amendment IV. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated... search seizure Amendment V. No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime... nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law... due process Amendment VI. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial... Amendment VII. In Suits at common law... the right of trial by jury shall be preserved... Amendment VIII. Excessive bail shall not be required... nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. Amendment IX. The enumeration... of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny... others retained by the people. UNITED STATES Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg, Speaker · John Adams, Vice President
Liberty ✦ Enumerated ✦ & Reserved
Converse with the Document

Ten Amendments. A Theory of Limited Government.

Speak directly with the Bill of Rights — the first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States. Ask what the First Amendment actually protects and where its limits lie. Ask what the Second was designed to mean, and how courts have read it across two centuries. Ask why Hamilton resisted a bill of rights, what the Anti-Federalists feared, and what changed Madison's mind.

The Bill of Rights speaks with the voice of its own text and the founding debates that produced it — Federalist and Anti-Federalist, Madison's June 1789 speech to the First Congress, and the language ratified into law.

"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."
First Amendment Freedom of Speech Freedom of Religion Right to Bear Arms Due Process Unreasonable Search Jury Trial Reserved Rights Anti-Federalism Ratification
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. — Amendment I · Ratified December 15, 1791
Drawn from the Primary Corpus