What objection did Jefferson have to the new federal Constitution?

1 Answer
Mar 2, 2018

He feared that a powerful national government would threaten the rights of the people.

Explanation:

Consider this from Jeffersons letter to Madison on December 20, 1787:

"...I will now add what I do not like. First the omission of a bill of rights providing clearly & without the aid
of sophisms for freedom of religion, freedom of the press, protection against standing armies, restriction
against monopolies, the eternal & unremitting force of the habeas corpus laws, and trials by jury… a bill
of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on earth, general or particular, &
what no just government should refuse, or rest on inferences."

https://www.tomrichey.net/uploads/3/2/1/0/32100773/thomas_jefferson_to_james_madison_-_20_december_1787.pdf

(Original version: https://www.loc.gov/item/mtjbib003193/)