The reasons for such action were stated by Madison to be a desire to propitiate those who desired a bill of rights, and an effort to secure acceptance of the Constitution in Rhode Island and North Carolina.

Promises had been made, in the course of the struggle for adoption, that this matter would be taken up, and there was a general willingness to proceed with it.

Under the leadership of Madison, the House adopted seventeen amendments, which were reduced by the Senate to twelve.
Of these, ten were eventually ratified and formed what is commonly known as the Bill of Rights.
Apart from this matter, the session, which lasted until September 29, was almost wholly occupied with measures to organize the new government.

To understand the significance of the action taken, it should be remembered that the passions excited by the struggle over the new Constitution were still turbulent.

Fisher Ames of Massachusetts, a member without previous national experience, who watched the proceedings with keen observation, early noticed the presence of a group of objectors whose motives he regarded as partly factious and partly temperamental.