The dawn of a new era for the United States government officially commenced with the meeting of the First United States Congress. Comprising both the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives, this pivotal legislative body convened from March 4, 1789, to March 4, 1791. These two formative years coincided precisely with the inaugural term of President George Washington, a time when the fledgling nation was truly finding its footing. The Congress initially gathered in New York City at Federal Hall, a building steeped in early American history, before relocating to Congress Hall in Philadelphia as the temporary capital moved. It was with this initial meeting that the federal government, as envisioned by the brand-new 1787 Constitution, formally began its operations, transitioning from the weaker Articles of Confederation to a more robust and unified system.

The structure of the House of Representatives, crucial for ensuring proportional representation, was meticulously laid out according to the provisions of Article I, Section 2, Clause 3 of the Constitution itself. During its tenure, both chambers of the First Congress were characterized by a clear "Pro-Administration" majority, indicating a general alignment with the policies and vision of the Washington administration and the newly established federal framework.

The Birth of the Bill of Rights

One of the First Congress's most enduring and significant achievements was the proposal of twelve articles of amendment to the Constitution. These amendments, designed to safeguard individual liberties, were subsequently sent to the states for ratification. On December 15, 1791, ten of these proposed articles were officially ratified, collectively becoming what we know today as the Bill of Rights – a foundational pillar of American freedom. Intriguingly, one additional amendment, originally proposed by this very Congress, would lie dormant for more than two centuries before its eventual ratification, becoming the Twenty-seventh Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1992.

The United States Bill of Rights, consisting of the first ten amendments, was not merely an afterthought; it was a direct response to the intense and often contentious debates surrounding the Constitution's ratification between 1787 and 1788. Opponents of the new Constitution, known as Anti-Federalists, voiced profound concerns that the document, as originally written, did not adequately protect individual freedoms from potential governmental overreach. Their objections spurred the need for these crucial additions, which explicitly guarantee specific personal freedoms and rights, impose clear limitations on the government's power in judicial and other proceedings, and emphatically declare that any powers not specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution are reserved to the states or to the people themselves. The philosophical underpinnings of these amendments were not entirely new, drawing heavily from earlier landmark documents such as the Virginia Declaration of Rights (1776), the Northwest Ordinance (1787), the English Bill of Rights (1689), and even the venerable Magna Carta (1215).

James Madison's Crucial Role and the Ratification Process

The champion of these vital amendments was none other than Representative James Madison. Often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution," Madison meticulously studied the deficiencies pointed out by the Anti-Federalists and then crafted a series of corrective proposals. His dedication and intellectual foresight were instrumental. On September 25, 1789, Congress approved his twelve articles of amendment, which were then submitted to the states for ratification. Interestingly, Madison's original preference was to incorporate these proposed amendments directly into the main body of the Constitution, weaving them into the relevant articles and sections. However, Congress opted instead to propose them as supplemental additions or "codicils" to the document. This decision, while altering their physical placement, did not diminish their legal weight.

Ultimately, Articles Three through Twelve of Madison's proposals were successfully ratified by the states on December 15, 1791, thereby becoming Amendments One through Ten of the Constitution, collectively forming the Bill of Rights. Article Two, a provision concerning changes to congressional compensation, finally achieved ratification on May 5, 1992, almost 203 years later, to become the Twenty-seventh Amendment. Article One, which dealt with the apportionment of representatives, remains technically pending before the states to this day, having never garnered enough support for ratification.

The Bill of Rights and State Governments: The Process of Incorporation

While Madison's initial vision for the amendments included a provision to extend the protection of some of the Bill of Rights to the states, the version ultimately submitted for ratification applied exclusively to the federal government. This limitation meant that states were not initially bound by all of the Bill of Rights' protections. However, the door for their application to state governments began to open significantly in the 1860s, following the ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment. This crucial post-Civil War amendment, particularly its Due Process Clause, provided the legal mechanism. Since the early 20th century, both federal and state courts have progressively used the Fourteenth Amendment to apply portions of the Bill of Rights to state and local governments, a legal evolution known as "incorporation." This process ensures that fundamental rights are protected from infringement by all levels of government across the United States.

Preserving History: Original Copies of the Bill of Rights

As a testament to their enduring historical significance, several original engrossed (officially handwritten) copies of the Bill of Rights are still in existence today. One of these invaluable documents is proudly on permanent public display at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., allowing citizens and visitors alike to witness a tangible piece of America's founding commitment to liberty and individual rights.

Frequently Asked Questions about the First Congress and Bill of Rights

What was the First United States Congress?

The First United States Congress was the inaugural legislative body of the federal government under the 1787 Constitution, meeting from March 4, 1789, to March 4, 1791, during President George Washington's first term. It comprised the Senate and House of Representatives and marked the official start of the new government.

Where did the First Congress meet?

It first met at Federal Hall in New York City, then the nation's capital, before relocating to Congress Hall in Philadelphia when the capital temporarily moved there.

What is the United States Bill of Rights?

The United States Bill of Rights refers to the first ten amendments to the Constitution, ratified on December 15, 1791. These amendments were proposed to address Anti-Federalist concerns and explicitly guarantee individual freedoms, limit government power, and reserve powers to the states or the people.

Who was instrumental in drafting the Bill of Rights?

James Madison, often called the "Father of the Constitution," played the most significant role in drafting and proposing the amendments that would become the Bill of Rights. He meticulously addressed the objections raised by Anti-Federalists.

Did the Bill of Rights originally apply to state governments?

No, the Bill of Rights, as originally ratified, applied only to the federal government. Its application to state and local governments began through a legal process called "incorporation," facilitated by the Fourteenth Amendment following the Civil War.