Jefferson

Having been a fan of Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist for many years, I was astounded to read his reference to Thomas Jefferson, probably America’s best President, in The Times (“Court Signals Change on Religion Cases,” Part I, July 10):

“Jefferson was a ‘less than ideal source’ for understanding the First Amendment because he was in Paris as America’s ambassador during the time when the Bill of Rights was written and ratified.”

Where was Rehnquist when the Bill of Rights was written?

DAVID E. FERGUSON

Newport Beach