Bill of Rights

There were 14 manuscript copies made of the Bill of Rights, including this one for the federal government now housed at the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C. The other copies were sent to the 13 original states to consider for ratification. Frederick Muhlenberg, the first Speaker of the House, and Vice President John Adams, acting in his capacity as president of the Senate, signed the documents. George Washington did not because the president does not play a formal role in the amendment process.