[LiteKeeper]

Jefferson was in France at the time, and had NOTHING to do with the writing of the First Amendment.

[KC Burke]

Jefferson's frequent letters to Madison were among the many influences that caused Madison to take up the task of proposing the Bill of Rights as amendments. I'll agree with you that Jefferson was busy in France during the Constitutional Convention, but after his review, he worked with his young compatriot to fashion something similar to what George Mason had given Virginia in the Declaration of Rights.