First Amendment to the United States Constitution restrained but by despotic Governments." Eight of the other twelve states made similar pledges. However, these declarations were generally considered "mere admonitions to state legislatures", rather than enforceable provisions. After several years of comparatively weak government under the Articles of Confederation, a Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia proposed a new constitution on September 17, 1787, featuring among other changes a stronger chief executive. George Mason, a Constitutional Convention delegate and the drafter of Virginia's Declaration of Rights, proposed that the Constitution include a bill of rights listing and guaranteeing civil liberties. Other delegates—including future Bill of Rights drafter James Madison—disagreed, arguing
Government of the 3rd Dáil of the Irish Free State (6 December 1922 – 19 September 1923) was formed by Pro-Treaty faction of Sinn Féin, which later became the Cumann na nGaedheal party. The Constitution of the Irish Free State came into force in December 1922 and under its terms the Second Provisional Government was replaced by the Executive Council. However elections were not held for the 4th Dáil until August 1923 and so the membership of the 1st Executive Council closely reflected that of the Second Provisional Government of Southern Ireland that had preceded it. The 1st Executive Council was replaced by the 2nd