What did Federalists believe regarding the listing of rights?

Federalists believed that no rights should be listed at all, as they viewed the Constitution as a framework that inherently protected individual liberties without the need for an explicit enumeration of rights. They argued that including a specific list of rights might imply that any rights not listed were not protected, potentially limiting the freedoms of individuals. This perspective was rooted in the fear that enumerating certain rights could lead to the misunderstanding that these were the only rights citizens possessed.

Additionally, Federalists emphasized the importance of a strong central government and believed that the structure of the government itself, with its checks and balances, would effectively safeguard individual freedoms. They contended that it was unnecessary to outline specific rights, as the Constitution was designed to uphold the rights and liberties of the people through its broader principles. This belief was significant in shaping the debate over the Bill of Rights, which was ultimately included to address the concerns of Anti-Federalists who wanted explicit protections of liberties.