read the following excerpt from the preamble of the bill of rights: congress of the united states begun and held at the city of new-york, on wednesday the fourth of march, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine. the conventions of a number of the states, having at the time of their adopting the constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: and as extending the ground of public confidence in the government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution. based on this excerpt, what are amendments meant to do?