<P> A minority of the Constitution's critics, such as Maryland's Luther Martin, continued to oppose ratification . However, Martin's allies, such as New York's John Lansing, Jr., dropped moves to obstruct the Convention's process . They began to take exception to the Constitution "as it was," seeking amendments . Several conventions saw supporters for "amendments before" shift to a position of "amendments after" for the sake of staying in the Union . The New York Anti-Federalist "circular letter" was sent to each state legislature proposing a second constitutional convention for "amendments before", but it failed in the state legislatures . Ultimately, only North Carolina and Rhode Island waited for amendments from Congress before ratifying . </P> <P> Article Seven of the proposed Constitution set the terms by which the new frame of government would be established . The new Constitution would become operational when ratified by at least nine states . Only then would it replace the existing government under the Articles of Confederation and would apply only to those states that ratified it . </P> <P> Following contentious battles in several states, the proposed Constitution reached that nine state ratification plateau in June 1788 . On September 13, 1788, the Articles of Confederation Congress certified that the new Constitution had been ratified by more than enough states for the new system to be implemented and directed the new government to meet in New York City on the first Wednesday in March the following year . On March 4, 1789, the new frame of government came into force with eleven of the thirteen states participating . </P> <P> The 1st United States Congress, which met in New York City's Federal Hall, was a triumph for the Federalists . The Senate of eleven states contained 20 Federalists with only two Anti-Federalists, both from Virginia . The House included 48 Federalists to 11 Anti-Federalists, the latter of whom were from only four states: Massachusetts, New York, Virginia and South Carolina . Among the Virginia delegation to the House was James Madison, Patrick Henry's chief opponent in the Virginia ratification battle . In retaliation for Madison's victory in that battle at Virginia's ratification convention, Henry and other Anti-Federalists, who controlled the Virginia House of Delegates had gerrymandered a hostile district for Madison's planned congressional run and recruited Madison's future presidential successor, James Monroe, to oppose him . Madison defeated Monroe after offering a campaign pledge that he would introduce constitutional amendments comprising a Bill of Rights at the First Congress . </P>

Where was the bill of rights written and ratified