First Documents

Securing Individual liberties

In America

George Mason: Forgotten Founder

George Mason is often called the forgotten founder because he rarely receives the credit due to him in history books.

Mason wrote the  Virginia Declaration of Rights in 1776. The Articles of the Virginia Declaration of Rights included • freedom of the press• religious freedom• right of trial by jury• prohibitions on excessive bail and inhumane punishment • and promotion of "a well regulated “militia" including protection of the right to bear arms.

FYI: Mason was an Anti-Federalist and despite being among the top five speakers at the Constitutional Convention, he refused to sign the document. Mason argued that the U.S. House of Representatives was disproportionate and that the U.S. Senate and federal judiciary were too powerful. He disapproved of a 10-acre federal city. Most importantly, he disputed the omission of a bill of rights.

The Virginia Statute for Religious FreedomThomas Jefferson wrote the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, which states: • All people should be free to worship as

they please• Was the first time religious freedom was

protected by law• Is the basis for the First Amendment to

the Constitution of the United States, which guarantees religious freedom.

James Madison“Father of the Constitution”

Madison believed strongly in separation of church and state

The Charter of the Virginia Company of London

In 1606 King James I chartered the Virginia Company of London with plans to create a colony. The charter was like a business license which also gave the colonists the same rights as English citizens. In May 1607 colonists sent by the Virginia Company established the first permanent English settlement in North America at Jamestown VA. The Jamestown colony, led by Captain John Smith, struggled. Many people starved. The House of Burgesses, the first colonial legislature in the “New World” was formed in 1619 and acting on the instructions from King James revoked the Virginia Company's charter and made Virginia a royal colony.

VA Declaration of Rights

George Mason

Virginia Statute for

Religious Freedom

Thomas Jefferson

• Written by Thomas Jefferson and passed by the Virginia General Assembly on January 16, 1786, the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom is a statement about both freedom of conscience and the principle of separation of church and state.

• It is the forerunner of the first amendment protections for religious freedom.

• Divided into three paragraphs, the statute is rooted in Jefferson's philosophy. It advocated for religious liberty (freedom) including the separation of church and state.

• Discussion: What did separation of church and state mean then? What does it mean today?

The second states that no person can be compelled to attend any church or support it with his taxes. It also says that an individual is free to worship as he pleases with no discrimination. (in the context of that time)