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LS as secretary of state, signed “Th: Jefferson,” one page, 7.5 x 9.25, March 1, 1792. Letter to "His Excellency the Governor of the State of New Hampshire," Josiah Bartlett, a fellow signer of the Declaration of Independence, announcing some infrastructure acts in addition to the important ratification of the Bill of Rights. In full: "I have the honor to send you herein enclosed, two copies duly authenticated, of an Act concerning certain fisheries of the United States, and for the regulation and government of the fishermen employed therein; also of an Act to establish the Post Office and Post roads within the United States; also the ratifications by three fourths of the legislatures of the several States, of certain articles in addition to, and amendment of the Constitution of the United States, proposed by Congress to the said Legislatures." In fine condition, with some minor paper loss to the bottom edge and corners.
Thomas Jefferson, though not directly involved in drafting the Bill of Rights, was a strong advocate for including it in the U.S. Constitution to safeguard individual liberties. He corresponded with James Madison, urging the addition of amendments to protect citizens' fundamental rights: 'A bill of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on earth, general or particular, and what no just government should refuse, or rest on inference.' However, he also encouraged the ratification of the Constitution as it stood, with a view toward amending it later: 'Half a loaf is better than no bread. If we cannot secure all our rights, let us secure what we can.'
With Jefferson's blessing, the Constitution was ratified in 1788. Introduced in 1789, the Bill of Rights consists of the first ten Constitutional amendments—limiting governmental power and ensuring freedoms like speech, religion, and the press. As secretary of state, Thomas Jefferson oversaw the ratification of these amendments and formally communicated their adoption to the newly founded nation's governors. A remarkable, most historic letter by the celebrated American statesman.
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