Fisher Ames to Thomas Dwight (June 11, 1789)

Mr. Madison has introduced his long expected Amendments. They are the fruit of much labour and research. He has hunted up all the grievances and complaints of newspapers—all the articles of Conventions—and the small talk of their debates.1 It contains a Bill of Rights—the right of enjoying property—of changing the govt. at pleasure—freedom of the press—of conscience—of juries—2exemption from general Warrants3 gradual increase of representatives till the whole number at the rate of one to every 30,000 shall amount to and allowing two to every State,4 at least this is the substance. There is too much of it—O. I had forgot, the right of the people to bear Arms.5

Risum teneatis amici—

Upon the whole, it may do good towards quieting men who attend to sounds only, and may get the mover some popularity—which he wishes.