The Bill of Rights, the Earliest Obtainable Copy as Sent to the States for Ratification

Gazette of the United States, October 3, 1789 [misprinted October 1, corrected by hand at the time], Newspaper. New York: John Fenno. 4 pp. approx. 10 x 16 1/2 in. "Resolved. That the following articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all or any of which articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution, viz. "Article 3. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."The text of the Bill of Rights, as sent for ratification, is printed here in full. The language was agreed upon by the House and Senate on Sept. 24-25, 1789, and enrolled on September 28th. On October 2-3, President George Washington sent engrossed signed copies to each of the states.While there is one known newspaper printing from October 2, in New York's The Daily Advertiser, published by Childs & Swaine, who also served as printers to the House of Representatives, we have never seen or heard of any ever having come on the market. The printer of this Gazette of the United States, John Fenno, also served as printer for the Senate. The leading Federalist newspaper, their reporting was regularly reprinted throughout the new nation. Excerpt[Note: The old-style printing of the letter "s" as an "f" is transcribed in the modern style, to make it easier to read. Ratification notes are in brackets.]"The Conventions of a number of the States having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the government, will best insure the beneficent ends of its institution-"RESOLVED, by the Senate, and House of Representatives, of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, Two Thirds of both Houses concurring, That the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States as Amendments to the Constitution of the United States: All, or any of, which Articles, when ratified by Three-Fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all Intents and Purposes as Part of the said Constitution, viz.ARTICLES in Addition to, and Amendment of, the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the Fifth Article of the original Constitution.Article the first [not ratified]After the first enumeration required by the first article of the Constitution, there shall be one Representative for every thirty thousand, until the number shall amount to one hundred, after which the proportion shall be so regulated by Congress, that there shall be not less than one hundred Representatives, nor less than one Representative for every forty thousand persons, until the number of Representatives shall amount to two hundred; after which the proportion shall be so regulated by Congress, that there shall not be less than two hundred Representatives, nor more than one Representative for every fifty thousand persons.Article the second [27th Amendment - Ratified 1992]No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.Article the third [1st Amendment]Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.Article the fourth [2nd Amendment]A well regul. (See website for full description).…