Samuel Adams and Thomas Jefferson were alike in their cautious and critical stance toward the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, particularly concerned about the potential for a strong central government to infringe on individual and state rights.
- Samuel Adams expressed displeasure with the Constitution when it was sent to the states for ratification, stating that he "stumble[d] at the Threshold" because he encountered a "National Government, instead of a Federal Union of States." He was considered an Anti-Federalist who supported ratification only with reservations and insisted that amendments be added to limit the powers of the central government and protect liberties. Adams believed that powers not delegated to Congress should be reserved to the states and that the Constitution should not allow Congress to violate citizens' rights
- Thomas Jefferson, while not present at the Constitutional Convention, also expressed concern about the lack of a Bill of Rights in the original Constitution. He corresponded actively about the need to add explicit protections for individual freedoms and supported the idea that such amendments were necessary for the Constitution’s acceptance and legitimacy
Both men, therefore, shared a position that ratification should be conditional upon the addition of safeguards-especially a Bill of Rights-to protect individual liberties and maintain a balance of power favoring states and citizens over a potentially overpowering federal government. This cautious approach helped shape the eventual adoption of the Constitution with promised amendments to secure rights
