John Adams was in Europe during the drafting of the Constitution, and did not return to the United States until 1788.

Listen to Justice Breyer’s interview on NPR at 1:20. Terry Gross asks about his view of the Constitution. Justice Breyer replied:

“I can say what I think, I think we are following an intention by people who wrote this document [the Constitution], Madison, Adams, Washington….”

Although Washington was at the Constitutional Convention, and served as the President, he contributed little to the debate.