Omar Bennett
George Mason was an American planter, politician, Founding Father, and delegate to the U.S. Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. He was the primary author of the Virginia Constitution, which served as a model for the official U.S. Constitution. Mason was a passionate advocate for individual freedom and believed that a strong national government without a Bill of Rights would undermine it. He refused to sign the 1787 Constitution because he disagreed with several of its provisions, including the lack of a Bill of Rights and the inclusion of slavery. His writings, including the Fairfax Resolves of 1774, the Virginia Declaration of Rights of 1776, and his Objections to this Constitution of Government (1787), have significantly influenced American political thought and events.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Position on the Constitution | Opposed the Constitution as it lacked a Bill of Rights |
| Position on the Bill of Rights | Proposed a bill of rights at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 |
| Position on the Federal Government | Anti-Federalist |
| Position on the militia | Militia officers should be elected annually |
| Position on slavery | Opposed any mention of slavery in the Constitution |
| Position on the British government | Called the British style of government unsatisfactory |
| Position on the rights of colonists | Supported the rights of colonists |
| Position on the separation of powers | Supported the separation of powers |
| Position on the democratic process | Supported the democratic process |
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What You'll Learn
George Mason's proposal of a bill of rights
George Mason was an American planter, politician, Founding Father, and delegate to the U.S. Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. He was one of three delegates who refused to sign the Constitution. He was an Anti-Federalist and believed that a strong national government without a bill of rights would undermine individual freedom.
Mason's proposal of a bill of rights was influenced by his early life. He was born in 1725 in present-day Fairfax County, Virginia, to affluent landowners. He entered Virginia politics in the 1760s, advocating for the rights of colonists and assisting in writing the Fairfax Resolves, which included revolutionary statements such as the rejection of the claim that British parliament had supreme authority over the colonies. He also presented the influential idea of consent of the governed, meaning that people must agree to their government and its laws for that government to have authority.
Mason's proposal was also influenced by his military career. Under British rule, militia officers were selected by their rank and length of service. However, Mason felt that the system should be more democratic, with officers elected by members of the militia. He expressed his belief that militia officers should be elected annually, showcasing his support for democratic processes.
Mason's proposal for a bill of rights was also shaped by his writings and political thought. He authored several influential documents, including the Virginia Declaration of Rights, which served as a basis for the United States Bill of Rights. He intended the Declaration of Rights to serve as a preamble to the Constitution, and it has been called "the most influential constitutional document in American history". His writings also included "Objections to this Constitution of Government" (1787), in which he outlined his opposition to ratification and his reasons for not signing the Constitution.
George Mason's proposal for a bill of rights was therefore informed by his life experiences, political beliefs, and writings. He felt strongly that a strong national government without a bill of rights protecting individual freedoms was unacceptable. His proposal and subsequent refusal to sign the Constitution without a bill of rights ultimately inspired James Madison's Bill of Rights, which were amended to the Constitution in 1791.
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His refusal to sign the 1787 Constitution
George Mason was an American planter, politician, Founding Father, and delegate to the U.S. Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. He was one of three delegates who refused to sign the Constitution.
Mason's refusal to sign the 1787 Constitution was primarily due to his belief that the document did not adequately protect US citizens' rights without a Bill of Rights. He felt that a strong national government without a Bill of Rights would undermine individual freedom. In the years leading up to the American Revolution, colonists shared similar sentiments, expressing dissatisfaction with British rule and feeling as though their rights were being ignored.
Mason's emphasis on democratic ideals and individual rights is evident in his earlier work, such as the Fairfax Resolves, which included revolutionary statements rejecting British parliamentary authority over the colonies and advocating for consent of the governed. He also contributed significantly to the Virginia Declaration of Rights, which has been deemed "the most influential constitutional document in American history." This declaration served as a basis for the United States Bill of Rights, and Mason has been recognised as its father.
Mason's refusal to sign the 1787 Constitution was not an isolated incident. He consistently advocated for the protection of individual rights and liberties, monitoring colonial authority as chairman and expressing his support for a more democratic process in the selection of militia officers. He also opposed any mention of slavery in the Constitution, viewing it as degrading to the document.
Mason's stance towards the Constitution had consequences. It destroyed his friendship with George Washington, who resented Mason's strong anti-federalist position. Additionally, Mason's refusal to take an oath to support the Constitution led to his resignation from the Fairfax County Court. Despite these differences, Mason maintained good relationships with other constitutional supporters, including Jefferson, Madison, and John Marshall.
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His opposition to the Constitution and friendship with George Washington
George Mason was a Virginia planter, politician, Founding Father, and delegate to the U.S. Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. He was also the primary author of the Virginia Constitution, which served as a model for many other state constitutions and the official U.S. Constitution.
Mason's friendship with George Washington began in 1769 when they were both members of the Virginia House of Burgesses. They collaborated on the Virginia Nonimportation Resolutions of 1769, which called for a boycott of British luxury goods imported into the colony. In 1774, Mason and Washington met at Mount Vernon to discuss their rising concerns with the British government, and they worked together again in response to the 1774 Coercive Acts passed by Parliament.
However, Mason and Washington's relationship soured due to their differing views on the Constitution. Mason refused to sign the 1787 Constitution because he disagreed with several of its provisions, including the lack of a bill of rights. He also opposed any mention of slavery in the Constitution, believing it to be degrading to the document. He chose not to sign, despite Washington's urgings, and transcribed and circulated his reasons for this decision, which became known as "George Mason's Objections to the Constitution". Washington, the first president, resented Mason's strong stances against the ratification of the Constitution, and their differences destroyed their friendship.
Despite his opposition to the Constitution, Mason did have a warming attitude towards the document after the Bill of Rights was ratified in 1791. He also softened his stance towards the new federal government, telling Monroe that the constitution "wisely & Properly directs" that ambassadors be confirmed by the Senate.
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His contributions to the Virginia Declaration of Rights
George Mason was a prominent figure in his home state of Virginia, and his counsel was greatly valued by others of his generation. He was a delegate to the U.S. Constitutional Convention in 1787, where he was one of three delegates who refused to sign the Constitution. Mason's primary objection was that he believed the Constitution did not adequately protect U.S. citizens without a Bill of Rights. He documented his reasons for not signing in a paper called "George Mason's Objections to this Constitution of Government," which circulated and influenced others.
Mason's contributions to the Virginia Declaration of Rights were significant. He was the primary author of this historic document, which served as a basis for the United States Bill of Rights. The Virginia Declaration of Rights was drafted in 1776 and proclaimed the inherent rights of men, including the right to reform or abolish "inadequate" government. It consisted of sixteen articles detailing the rights that pertained to the people of Virginia and served as the foundation of their government.
Some key principles from the Virginia Declaration of Rights include:
- All men are created equally free and independent, with certain inherent natural rights that cannot be taken away from their posterity.
- The people have a right to a uniform government, and no separate or independent government should be established within Virginia.
- The government should not have the power to suspend or execute laws without the consent of the representatives of the people.
- Legal rights are outlined, such as the right to confront accusers and witnesses, present evidence, protection from self-incrimination, the right to a speedy trial, and the right to a trial by an impartial jury.
- Protections against cruel and unusual punishments, baseless search and seizure, and guarantees of freedom of the press and freedom of religion.
- The government is viewed as the servant of the people, and the document outlines the separation of powers into the administration, legislature, and judiciary.
The Virginia Declaration of Rights was widely influential, shaping important documents such as the United States Declaration of Independence and the United States Bill of Rights. It was one of the earliest documents to emphasize the protection of individual rights and remains in effect today within the Virginia State Constitution.
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His stance on slavery and the Constitution
George Mason was a Virginia planter, statesman, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He is best known for his proposal of a bill of rights at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where he was one of three delegates who refused to sign the Constitution.
Mason's writings, including the Fairfax Resolves of 1774, the Virginia Declaration of Rights of 1776, and his "Objections to this Constitution of Government" (1787), have significantly influenced American political thought and events. The Virginia Declaration of Rights, which he principally authored, served as a basis for the United States Bill of Rights, and he has been deemed a father of this document.
Mason was a strong advocate for the rights of individuals, including citizens and slaves. He believed that a strong national government without a bill of rights would undermine individual freedom. He also emphasised democratic ideals, such as having militia officers elected by members of the militia rather than appointed based on rank and length of service.
Mason's stance on slavery and the Constitution was complex. He opposed any mention of slavery in the Constitution, believing it to be degrading to the document. He also bitterly opposed the compromise that granted protection to the slave trade for twenty years. However, it is important to note that Mason himself was a plantation owner and a slaveholder.
In summary, George Mason's position towards the Constitution was shaped by his belief in the importance of protecting individual rights and his opposition to slavery. He played a constructive role in pointing out perceived flaws in the Constitution and recommending subsequent amendments, such as the Bill of Rights. Despite his strong stances, he eventually softened his position and warmed to the Constitution after the Bill of Rights was ratified in 1791.
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Frequently asked questions
George Mason was against the ratification of the US Constitution.
George Mason believed that a strong national government without a bill of rights would undermine individual freedom. He also opposed any mention of slavery in the Constitution.
Yes, George Mason attended the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and was one of three delegates who refused to sign the Constitution. He wrote "Objections to this Constitution of Government" (1787) outlining his opposition to the ratification of the document.
George Mason was a delegate at the Constitutional Convention in 1787. He was also appointed to the Annapolis Convention of 1786, but like most delegates, he did not attend.
Yes, George Mason's stance towards the Constitution softened after the Bill of Rights was ratified in 1791.
