George Mason was a great and influential man. Although he was a slaveholder he was disgusted by the institution of slavery and felt that "every slave master is born a petty tyrant." Mason wanted to abolish slavery as soon as possible. He believed in individual rights over power of the government. Because of his belief in rights and liberties he influenced the Bill of Rights to be drafted and accepted. He is now known as the American Manifestation of the Enlightenment. He was buried on the grounds of Gunston Hall. Gunston Hall can now be visited to explore his politics and life. There is also a college named after him, George Mason University.
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As I am lying in my bed in my home, Gunston Hall, I feel my death approaching. As I look back on my life, I am glad about what I have achieved. This new country will be the best in the world and I am proud to say that I had a hand in making it. One thing that I want to say to the future kids of this nation is-
Today the Bill of Rights has been officially adopted into the government. Now that I know the citizens of this country will have their rights I can die peacefully.
My call for a Bill of Rights have been listened to. Many states now want a document listing their rights. James Madison had agreed with me on the need for a Bill of Rights last year. He has started to draft one based on my Virginia Declaration of Rights. America may have a good government that respects individual rights for years to come.
Ever since the Constitution was laid before the states, I, along with Patrick Henry and James Monroe, have tried to persuade the states to deny the ratification. To counteract out criticism Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay have written, what they call, the Federalist Papers. Despite our protests, Delaware was approved the Constitution. More states are on the way of approving it as well.
A new government is being created today at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Conditions here are cruel. It is hot, foul smelling, and there are flies everywhere. But none of that matters because we are making a document and government that will last for a long time. I do have misgivings about it, however. This new government will be based on a strong, central body. Maybe a little too strong. I fear that this central government will abuse its power just like he King that we got away from. Throughout the Convention I have been speaking as often as I can, more than almost anyone else. I advise the delegates here to weaken the power of the central government. Many delegates consider me an anti-federalist. My views severed my friendship with Washington, while James Madison agreed with me. To make this Constitution better I want a Bill of Rights to be added. If this addition is made then I will support it, despite my other complaints. Unfortunately, not enough of the other delegates agree with me. In the end I have decided that I will not sign the new Constitution. This new government is doomed to become a monarchy or it will become too corrupt to function. Despite being appointed to go to Annapolis, I have decided that I will not go. Many other delegates have decided not to go as well. Last year, I went to Mount Vernon, which was the prelude meeting to Annapolis. At that meeting I was unsure whether I wanted to waste my time at the Annapolis meeting. Now I am positive; I will not be going to Annapolis.
My work has been used again. The influence of my first essay, Extracts from the Virginia Charters, has shaped the Peace Treaty with Britain. This treaty finally fixed the boundary of land. We now have all the land east of the Great Lakes. During this time, I also made a plan for Virginia to give up its western land claims to the United States.
I have become disgusted of how the conduct of public affairs is handled. Because of this, I have decided to retire from the Virginia legislature. I am going to live on my plantation, Gunston Hall, and focus on enjoying life with my family.
Today, I have remarried a woman named Sarah Brent. Although, I have moved on with my life I do not think I will be able to get over Ann.
Over the past four year I have been busy helping in creating a nation and government that is independent of Britain. I have been supporting the disestablishment of the church and have been very actively involved in organization of military affairs. In the west I have been particularly involved with the military.
Thomas Jefferson has drafted the Declaration of Independence. The country has adopted it fully. I have noticed,however, that there are many qualities like my Virginia Declaration of Rights. I sense that my Declaration will be a model for future documents like it. Whatever the case, I am glad that we now are claiming independence and that we are all rallying behind it. We now have a cause to fight for. Today I, with some help of others, have drafted the Virginia Declaration of Rights. I believe that everyone deserves rights and liberties to be happy. In the future I plan to help citizens attain and keep their rights.
Washington has been chosen to lead the Continental Army. This leaves an opening in the Virginia legislation. Unlike my friends, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison I have never wanted to be in public office. I reluctantly agreed to take the position despite my misgivings.
Last year in December the Sons of Liberty threw chests of British tea into the Boston harbor. This action is now known as the Boston Tea Party and was in response to Parliament passing the Tea Act. After the Boston Tea Party, Parliament passed the Coercive Acts and shut down the Boston harbor, which is the busiest harbor in America. I have helped to draft the Fairfax Resolves in objection. The Fairfax Resolves outlines all of our problems and objections with the Parliament at the time.
As a payment for the war the Ohio Company's land right have been revoked. Because this has angered me so much I have written my first major state paper. I have titled this essay, Extracts from the Virginia Charters, with Some Remarks upon Them. I hope that this essay reaches the British parliament and changes their minds about taking our land. Although, I sense that it will not do any good.
Today my wife, Ann, has died. She has died from a fever that she contracted after her twelfth pregnancy. In her last pregnancy she gave birth to a pair of twin sons two months prematurely. Ann had ill health after that and never recovered. Three months later Ann died. Our oldest son is now 20 and our youngest is 3.
The British parliament has passed the first internal tax on colonial goods that all of us colonists have to pay. This tax is called the Stamp Act. The Stamp Act is imposed on all paper gods in America. The tax is meant to be payment for the war that we just finished fighting. I, and many others, are outraged at this tax and many have been taking up the chant "No taxation without representation!" Most colonists are protesting the Stamp Act by violence and actions, like nonimportation agreements against British officials. Many of the colonies are also sending delegates to the Stamp Act Congress. I, however, have written a letter to a committee of London merchants trying to explain our position and gain their support.
The war with the French and their Indian allies is over. Britain and France have signed a peace treaty in Paris making Britain the dominant power in North America. France has lost all of their land on North America, while, Britain has gained Quebec and the Ohio River Valley. The port of New Orleans, however, was given to Spain for being our allies.Although we now hold the Ohio River Valley Britain has forbidden the colonists from settling that area with the Proclamation of 1763. Many colonists are angry because of this proclamation and are ignoring the law. Further aggravation between the colonies and the British is being caused by the military. British regulars feel like the colonist soldiers are not as good and do not deserve to have full rights. The colonist soldiers are very angry by this and it is causing problems between the two groups.
Without the French in North America anymore, we feel free and less threatened. The threat of French intervention of colony business has prevented us from making the best laws and acts for ourselves. Now that that is gone we can live prosperous lives here in the colonies. My time as a justice for the Fairfax County court is over. I have been elected into the Virginia House of Burgesses. This is the first legislative body in the colonies.
My home and plantation is finally done. My family and I have moved in. Everything is as I imagined it. It is truly perfect. This Gregorian architecture makes my home look beautiful. I am well liked by everyone here; although, they sometimes complain about my irascibility. I have also heard my servants complaining about a condition that I supposedly have called hypochondria. Whenever they complain however I am sure something is wrong with my health.
As I feared the war between France and Britain has officially begun. General Braddock stumbled into a French and Indian ambush and him and his force was wiped out. Now Britain is enraged and have declared war on France. The Ohio Company's land is now being used for military forts and use. The roads we have made are being used for military transportation. You can no longer tell if the land belongs to the Company or not. Now that I am the treasurer I am even more concerned of the outcome of this war and how it will affect the Ohio Company.
I have begun to build what I will call Gunston Hall. This will be my future home where I will live with my family. Gunston Hall will be a 5,500 acre tobacco and corn plantation. I am involved with every aspect of the process of building the plantation. It will be perfect in every way possible.
Today I have been granted the honor of being a justice of the Fairfax County court. I am also a trustee of Alexandria and a vestryman of Truro parish.
The France have tried to claim the Ohio River Valley. We would not stand for that. Today British officials sent George Washington to have the French leave. This turned out awful for Washington. When he made contact with the French it ended in a bloody conflict. Washington was cornered at Fort Necessity and lost, but was permitted to withdraw without losing his entire force. I sense this will cause a full war between France and Britain. The colonies will be dragged into it and it will be disastrous for the Ohio Company's land claims and the colonists.
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