The principle of limited government is most clearly reflected in the constitution as ratified in 1788.
Limited government is a term used in political philosophy to refer to a system in which the government does not exercised absolute power; or where governmental power is restricted by law, usually in a written constitution.
For instance, The United States Constitution introduces an example of the federal government not possessing any power except what is delegated to it by the Constitution.
The Articles of Confederation served as the written document that established the functions of the national government of the United States after it declared independence from Great Britain.