(Updated June 24, 2025)
George Mason (1725-1792) was an American Founder who was a legal scholar, mentor Thomas Jefferson, and a persistent opponent of slavery in both the Virginia and United States Constitutions.
Writings
George Mason, Proposed Declaration of Rights (c. May 20-25, 1776)
That as Religion, or the Duty which we owe to our divine and omnipotent Creator, and the Manner of discharging it, can be governed only by Reason and Conviction, not by Force or Violence; and therefore that all Men should enjoy the fullest Toleration in the Exercise of Religion, according to the Dictates of Conscience, unpunished and unrestrained by the Magistrate, unless, under Color of Religion, any Man disturb the Peace, the Happiness, or Safety of Society, or of Individuals. And that it is the mutual Duty of all, to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards Each other.
Letters
George Mason, To George Washington (April 2, 1776)
I fancy myself under your hospitable Roof at Mount Vernon, and lay aside Reserve—May God grant us a Return of those halcyon Days; when every Man may sit down at his Ease under the Shade of his own Vine, and his own fig-tree, and enjoy the Sweets of domestic Life! Or if this is too much, may He be pleased to inspire us with Spirit and Resolution, to bear our present and future Sufferings, becoming Men determined to transmit to our Posterity, unimpaired, the Blessings we have received from our Ancestors!
