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PRELIMINARY PRINTING OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS
[BILL OF RIGHTS]. Massachusetts Spy: Or, The Worcester Gazette. Worcester: Isaiah Thomas, 25 June 1789. Vol. 18, No. 846. 4pp., folio (432 x 286 mm), some spotting. EARLY PRINTING OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS. The Bill of Rights, comprising the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, serves as a foundational document safeguarding individual liberties and limiting the power of the federal government. Ratified in 1791, these amendments articulate fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press; the right to bear arms; protection against unreasonable searches and seizures; the right to a fair and speedy trial; and safeguards against cruel and unusual punishment. Rooted in the principles of personal autonomy and checks and balances, the Bill of Rights reflects the framers’ commitment to securing the inherent rights of citizens and establishing a framework for a just and democratic society. In the first column on p. 2, James Madison introduces his amendments to the Bill.