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The writings of James Madison,

comprising his public papers and his private correspondence, including numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INDEPENDENCE AND CONSTITUTION OF VIRGINIA.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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INDEPENDENCE AND CONSTITUTION OF VIRGINIA.[1]

MAD. MSS.
JOURNAL OF THE
VIRGINIA CONVENTION
IN 1776.

May 10. A representation[2] from the Committee
of the Country of Augusta was presented to the Convention,
setting forth the present unhappy situation of the country; and
from the ministerial measures of vengeance now pursuing, representing
the necessity of making the confederacy of the United
Colonies the most perfect, independent, and lasting, and of framing
an equal, free, and liberal Government that may bear the test of
all future ages: ordered that the said representation be referred
to the committee on the State of the Colony. [quere, as to the
date of this representation, and whether the document be on the
public files.]

May. 15. The Convention, one hundred and twelve members
being present, unanimously agreed as follows "Forasmuch as all
endeavours of the United Colonies, by the most decent representations
and petitions to the king and parliament of Great Britain,
to restore peace and security to America under the British Government,
and a reunion with that people upon just and liberal
terms, instead of a redress of grievances, have produced—from an


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imperious and vindictive administration increased insult, oppression,
and a vigorous attempt to effect our total destruction: By a
late act, all these colonies are declared to be in rebellion, and out
of the protection of the British crown, our properties subjected
to confiscation, our people when captivated, compelled to join in
the murder and plunder of their relations and countrymen, and
all former rapine and oppression of Americans delared legal and
just. Fleets and armies are raised, and the aid of foreign troops
engaged to assist these destructive purposes. The king's representative
in this colony hath not only withheld all the powers of
Government from operating for our safety, but having retired on
board an armed ship, is carrying on a piratical and savage war
against us, tempting our slaves, by every artifice, to resort to him,
and training and employing them against their masters. In this
state of extreme danger we have no alternative left, but an abject
submission to the will of those overbearing tyrants, or a total
separation from the crown and Government of Great Britain, uniting
and exerting the strength of all America for defence, and
forming alliances with foreign powers for commerce and aid
in war: wherefore, appealing to the Searcher Of Hearts, for
the sincerity of former declarations expressing our desire to
preserve the connexion with that nation, and that we are driven
from that inclination by their wicked councils, and the eternal
laws of self-preservation;

Resolved unanimously, That the delegates appointed to represent
this colony in General congress, be instructed to propose to that
respectable body, to declare the United Colonies, free and independent
States, absolved from all allegiance to, or dependence
upon, the crown or Parliament of Great Britain; and that they
give the assent of this Colony to such declaration, and to whatever
measures may be thought proper and necessary by the congress
for forming foreign alliances, and a confederation of the colonies,
at such times, and in the manner, as to them shall seem best:
Provided, that the power of forming Government for, and the
regulations of the internal concerns of each colony, be left to the
respective colonial legislatures.

Resolved unanimously, that a committee be appointed to prepare
a Declaration Of Rights, and such a plan of Government


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as will be most likely to maintain peace and order in this colony,
and secure substantial and equal liberty to the people.

And a committee was appointed of the following members:
viz Archibald Cary, Meriwether Smith, Mr. Mercer, Mr. Henry,
Lee, Mr. Treasurer—[Robert Carter Nicholas] Mr. Henry, Mr.
Dandridge, Mr. Edmund Randolph, Mr. Gilmer, Mr. Bland, Mr.
Diggs, Mr. Carrington, Mr. Thomas Ludwell Lee, Mr. Cabell,
Mr. Jones, Mr. Blair, Mr. Fleming, Mr. Tazewell, Mr. Richard Cary,
Mr. Bullitt, Mr. Watts, Mr. Banister, Mr. Page, Mr. Starke, Mr. David
Mason, Mr. Adams, Mr. Read, and Mr. Thomas Lewis.

May 16. Ordered that Mr. Madison, Mr. Rutherford and Mr.
Watkins be added to the Committee appointed to prepare a
Declaration of Rights and a plan of Government.

May. 18. Ordered that George Mason be added to that
Committee.

[It is inferred that he was not before present; especially as his
name is not on any one of the numerous committees of antecedent
appointment. His distinguished talents, if present, could
not have been overlooked.]

May. 21. Ordered that Mr. Bowyer be added to the committee
appointed to prepare a Declaration of Rights and plan of
Government.

May 27. Mr. Cary reported a Declaration of Rights, which
was ordered to be printed for the perusal of the members. [See
a printed copy in the hands of J. M.]

Ordered: that Mr. Curle and Mr. Holt be added to the
committee appointed to prepare a Declaration of Rights and
plan of Government.

June 10. The Declaration of Rights, reported from a committee
of the whole, with several amendments.

June 11. The Amendments to the Declaration of Rights agreed
to, and the whole ordered to be transcribed for a third reading.

June 12. The Amended Declaration of Rights agreed to nem:
con. [See the copy below.]

June 24. Mr. Cary reported from the appointed committee
"a plan of Government for this Colony," which was ordered to
be read a second time.


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June 26. In committee of the whole on the reported plan of
Govt. progress made and reported.

June 27. In committee of the whole on the Plan, & progress
reported.

June 28. The plan reported from the Committee of the
whole, with amendments, & ordered to be transcribed & read
a third time.

June 29. Resolved unanimously that the said plan do pass.

       

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(As printed by order of the
convention) 
The following declaration[3]
was reported to the convention
by the committee appointed to
prepare the same, and referred
to the consideration of a committee
of the whole convention;
and in the meantime, is
ordered to be printed for the
perusal of the members. 
As agreed to by the Convention. 
A DECLARATION OF
RIGHTS made by the Representatives
of the good people of
Virginia, assembled in full and
free Convention; which rights
do pertain to us, and our posterity,
as the basis and foundation
of Government. 
A DECLARATION OF
RIGHTS, made by the representatives
of the good people of
Virginia, assembled in full and
free convention; which rights
do pertain to them, and their
posterity, as the basis and
foundation of Government. 
1. That all men are born
equally free and independent,
and have certain inherent natural
rights, of which they cannot,
by any compact, deprive
their posterity; among which
are the enjoyment of life and
liberty, with the means of acquiring
and possessing property,
 
1. That all men are by nature
equally free and independent,
and have certain inherent rights,
of which, when they enter into
a state of society, they can not
by any compact, deprive or
divest their posterity: namely,
the enjoyment of life and liberty,
with the means of acquiring
 
and pursuing and obtaining
happiness and safety. 
& possessing property, and
preserving and obtaining happiness
and safety. 
2. That all power is vested
in, and consequently derived
from the people; that magistrates
are their trustees and
servants, and at all times amenable
to them. 
2. The Same. 
3. That Government is, or
ought to be, instituted for the
common benefit, protection, and
security, of the people, nation
or community: of all the various
modes and forms of Government
that is best, which is
capable of producing the greatest
degree of happiness and
safety, and is most effectually
secured against the danger of
mal-administration; and that
whenever any government shall
be found inadequate or contrary
to these purposes, a
majority of the community hath
an indubitable, unalienable,
and indefeasible right, to reform,
alter, or abolish it, in
such manner as shall be judged
most conducive to the public
weal. 
3. The same. 
4. That no man, or set of
men, are entitled to exclusive
or separate emoluments or privileges
from the community, but
in consideration of publick
services; which not being descendible
or hereditary, the idea 
4. That no man or set of
men, are entitled to exclusive or
separate emoluments or privileges
from the community, but
in consideration of public services;
which not being descendible,
neither ought the offices 
of a man born a magistrate, a
legislator, or a judge, is unnatural
and absurd. 
of magistrate, legislator or judge
to be hereditary. 
5. That the legislative and
executive powers of the state
should be separate and distinct
from the judicative; and that
the members of the two first,
may be restrained from oppression,
by feeling and participating
the burdens of the people,
they should, at fixed periods, be
reduced to a private station, return
into that body from which
they were originally taken, and
the vacancies be supplied by
frequent, certain and regular
elections. 
5. That the Legislative and
executive powers of the State
should be separate and distinct
from the judiciary; and that
the members of the two first
may be restrained from oppression,
by feeling and participating
the burdens of the people,
they should at fixed periods be
reduced to a private station,
return into that body from
which they were originally
taken, and the vacancies be
supplied by frequent, certain
and regular elections, in which
all or any part of the former
members, to be again eligible
or ineligible as the laws shall
direct. 
6. That elections of members
to serve as representatives of
the people, in assembly, ought
to be free; and that all men,
having sufficient evidence of
permanent common interest
with and attachment to, the
community, have the right of
suffrage. 
6. That elections of members
to serve as representatives of
the people, in assembly, ought
to be free; and that all men
having sufficient evidence of
permanent common interest
with, and attachment to, the
community have the right of
suffrage, and cannot be taxed
or deprived of their property
for public uses, without their
own consent, or that of their
representatives so elected, nor
bound by any law to which they
have not in like manner assented
for the public good. 
7. That no part of a man's
property can be taken from
him, or applied to publick uses,
without his own consent, or
that of his legal representatives;
nor are the people bound by
any laws but such as they have,
in like manner, assented to, for
their common good. 
7. That all power of suspending
laws, or the execution of
laws, by any authority without
consent of the representatives
of the people, is injurious to
their rights, and ought not to
be exercised. 
8. That all power of suspending
laws, or the execution of
laws, by any authority without
consent of the representatives
of the people, is injurious to
their rights, and ought not to
be exercised. 
8. That in all capital or
criminal prosecutions, as man
hath a right to demand the
cause and nature of his accusation,
to be confronted with the
accusers and witnesses, to call
for evidence in his favour, and
to a speedy trial by an impartial
jury of the vicinage, without
whose unanimous consent he
cannot be found guilty; nor
can he be compelled to give evidence
against himself, that no
man be deprived of his liberty
except by the law of the land, or
the judgment of his peers. 
9. That laws having retrospect
to crimes, and punishing
offences, committed before the
existence of such laws, are generally
oppressive, and ought to
be avoided. 
10. That in all capital or
criminal prosecutions, as man
hath a right to demand the
cause and nature of his accusation,
to be confronted with the
accusers or witnesses, to call
for evidence in his favour, and
to a speedy trial by an impartial
jury of his vicinage; without
whose unanimous consent he
cannot be found guilty, nor can
he be compelled to give evidence
against himself; that no
man be deprived of his liberty,
except by the law of the land,
or the judgment of his peers. 
11. That excessive bail ought
not to be required, nor excessive
fines imposed, nor cruel
and unusual punishments inflicted. 
9. The same as No. 11. 
12. That warrants unsupported
by evidence, whereby
any officer or messenger may
be commanded or required to
search suspected places, or to
seize any person or persons, his
or their property, not particularly
described, are grievous
and oppressive, and ought not
to be granted. 
10. That general warrants,
whereby any officer or messenger
may be commanded to
search suspected places without
evidence of a fact committed,
or to seize any person
or persons not named, or whose
offence is not particularly
described and supported by
evidence are greivous and oppresive
and ought not to be
granted. 
13. That in controversies respecting
property, and in suits
between man and man, the
ancient trial by jury is preferable
to any other, and ought to
be held sacred. 
11. The same No. 13. 
14. That the freedom of the
press is one of the great bulwarks
of liberty, and can never
be restrained but by despotick
governments. 
12. The same as No. 14. 
15. That a well regulated
militia, composed of the body
of the people, trained to arms,
is the proper, natural, and safe
defence of a free state; that
standing armies in time of peace,
should be avoided as dangerous
to liberty; and that in all cases,
the military should be under
strict subordination to, and
governed by the civil power. 
13. The same as No. 15. 
16. That the people have a  14. That the people have a 
right to uniform Government:
and therefore, that no Government
separate from, or independent
of the Government of
Virginia, ought of right, to be
erected or established, within
the limits thereof. 
right to uniform Government;
and therefore that no government
separate from or independent
of the Government of
Virginia, ought to be erected
or established within the limits
thereof. 
17. That no free government,
or the blessings of liberty,
can be preserved to any
people, but by a firm adherence
to justice, moderation, temperance,
frugality and virtue, and
by frequent recurrence to fundamental
principles. 
15. The same as No. 17. 
18. That Religion, or the
duty which we owe to our
CREATOR, and the manner of
discharging it, can be directed
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 colour of religion,
any man disturb the peace, the
happiness, or safety of Society.
And that it is the mutual duty
of all to practice Christian forbearance,
love, and charity,
towards each other.[4]  
16. That Religion, or the
duty we owe to our CREATOR,
and the manner of discharging
it can be directed only by
reason and conviction, not by
force or violence, and therefore
all men are equally entitled to
the free exercise of religion,
according to the dictates of
conscience; and that it is the
mutual duty of all to practice
christian forbearance love and
charity towards each other. 

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(Copy of a printed paper, in
the hands of J. M.)
A PLAN OF GOVERNMENT
Laid before the Committee of
the House, which they have
ordered to be printed for the
perusal of the members.[5]  
Copy of the Constitution as
finally agreed to by the convention
of 1776. 
1. Let the Legislative, executive
and judicative departments
be separate and distinct, so
that neither exercise the powers
properly belonging to the
other. 
The Legislative, Executive
and Judiciary Departments,
shall be separate and distinct,
so that neither exercise the
powers properly belonging to
the others; nor shall any person
exercise the powers of
more than one of them at the
same time except that the Justices
of the county courts
shall be eligible to either House
of Assembly. 
2. Let the legislative be
formed of two distinct branches,
who, together, shall be a complete
legislature. They shall
meet once, or oftener, every
year, and shall be called the
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
VIRGINIA. 
The Legislative shall be
formed of two distinct branches,
who 
3. Let one of these be called
the Lower House of Assembly,
and consist of two delegates, or
representatives, chosen for each
county annually, by such men
as have resided in the same for 
one year last past, are freeholders
of the county, possess an estate
of inheritance of land in
Virginia, of at least one thousand
pounds value, and are upwards
of twenty four years of
age. 
4. Let the other be called the
Upper House of Assembly, and
consist of twenty four members,
for whose election, let the different
counties be divided into
twenty four districts, and each
county of the respective district,
at the time of the election of its
delegates for the Lower House,
choose twelve deputies, or subelectors,
being freeholders residing
therein, and having an
estate of inheritance of lands
within the district, of at least five
hundred pounds value: In case
of dispute, the qualifications to
be determined by the majority
of the said deputies. Let these
deputies choose by ballot, one
member of the Upper House of
Assembly, who is a freeholder
of the district, hath been a resident
therein for one year last
past, possesses an estate of inheritance
of lands in Virginia,
of at least two thousand pounds
value, and is upwards of twenty
eight years of age. To keep up
this Assembly by rotation, let
the districts be equally divided
into four classes and numbered. 
At the end of one year, after the
general election. Let the six
members elected by the first
division be displaced, rendered
ineligible for four years, and the
vacancies be supplied in the
manner aforesaid. Let this rotation
be applied to each division
according to its number,
and continued in due order
annually. 
5. Let each House settle its
own rules of proceeding, direct
writs of election for supplying
intermediate vacancies; and let
the right of suffrage both in the
election of members for the
Lower House, and of deputies
for the districts, be extended to
those having leases for land, in
which there is an unexpired
term of seven years, and to every
Housekeeper who hath resided
for one year last past, in the
county, and hath been the father
of three children in this country. 
6. Let all laws originate in the
Lower House, to be approved
or rejected, by the Upper
House; or to be amended with
the consent of the Lower House,
except money bills, which in no
instance shall be altered by the
Upper House, but wholly approved
or rejected. 
7. Let a Governour, or Chief
Magistrate be chosen annually
by joint ballot of both Houses; 
who shall not continue in that
office longer than three years
successively, and then be ineligible
for the next three years.
Let an adequate, but moderate
salary, be settled on him, during
his continuance in office; and
let him, with the advice of a
council of State, exercise the
executive powers of Government,
and the power of prorouging
or adjourning the General
Assembly, or of calling it upon
emergencies, and of granting
reprieves or pardons, except in
cases where the prosecution
shall have been carried on by
the Lower House of Assembly. 
8. Let a privy Council, or
Council of State, consisting of
eight members, be chosen by
joint ballot of both Houses of
Assembly, promiscuously, from
their own members, or the people
at large, to assist in the administration
of Government. 
Let the Governor be President
of this council; but let
them annually choose one of
their own members, as Vice-President,
who, in case of the
death or absence of the Governour,
shall act as Lieutenant
Governour. Let three members
be sufficient to act, and
their advice be entered of record
in their proceedings.
Let them appoint their own 
clerk, who shall have a salary
settled by law, and take an oath
of secrecy, in such matters as
he shall be directed to conceal,
unless called upon by the
Lower House of Assembly for
information. Let a sum of
money, appropriated to that
purpose, be divided annually
among the members, in proportion
to their attendance: and
let them be incapable, during
their continuance in office, of
sitting in either House of Assembly.
Let two members be
removed by ballot of their own
Board, at the end of every three
years, and be ineligible for the
three next years. Let this be
regularly continued, by rotation,
so as that no member be
removed before he hath been
three years in the council: and
let these vacancies, as well as
those occasioned by death or
incapacity, be supplied by new
elections, in the same manner
as the first. 
9. Let the Governour, with
the advice of the Privy council,
have the appointment of the
Militia officers, and the Government
of the militia, under
the laws of the country. 
10. Let the two Houses of
Assembly, by joint ballot, appoint
judges of the supreme
court, judges in chancery, 
judges of Admiralty, and the
attorney-general, to be commissioned
by the Governour, and
continue in office during good
behaviour. In case of death or
incapacity, let the Governour,
with the advice of the privy
council, appoint persons to succeed
in office pro tempore to be
approved or displaced by both
Houses. Let these officers
have fixed and adequate salaries,
and be incapable of having
a seat in either House of
Assembly, or in the Privy
Council; except the Attorney-general,
and the treasurer, who
may be permitted to a seat in
the Lower House of Assembly. 
11. Let the Governour, and
Privy Council, appoint justices
of the peace for the counties.
Let the clerks of all the courts,
the sheriffs and coroners, be
nominated, by the respective
courts, approved by the Governour
and Privy Council, and
commissioned by the Governour.
Let the clerks be continued
during good behaviour,
and all fees be regulated by
law. Let the justices appoint
constables. 
12. Let the Governour, any
of the Privy Counsellors, judges
of the supreme court, and all
other officers of government,
for mal-administration, or corruption,
 
be prosecuted by the
Lower House of Assembly (to
be carried on by the attorney-General,
or such other person
as the House may appoint) in
the supreme court of common
law. If found guilty, let him
or them be either removed
from office; or for ever disabled
to hold any office under
the Government; or subjected
to such pains or penalties as
the laws shall direct. 
13. Let all commissions run
in the name of the Commonwealth
of Virginia
, and be
tested by the Governour, with
the seal of the commonwealth
annexed. Let writs run in the
same manner, and be tested by
the clerks of the several courts.
Let indictments conclude,
Against the peace and dignity of
the commonwealth
14. Let a treasurer be appointed
annually, by joint ballot
of both Houses. 
15. In order to introduce
this government, let the representatives
of the people, now
met in Convention, choose
twenty four members to be an
upper House; and let both
Houses, by joint ballot, choose
a Governour and Privy Council;
the upper House to continue
until the last day of March
next; and the other officers, 
until the end of the succeeding
session of Assembly. In case
of vacancies, the President to
issue writs for new elections.[6]  
 
[1]

The whole of this paper was transcribed by Madison after his retirement to
private life. An exhaustive establishment of George Mason's authorship of the
Declaration of Rights as a whole may be found in Kate Mason Rowland's Life
of George Mason
. The authorship of the clause concerning religious liberty,
which, as the draft shows, was originated by Madison, is in dispute. Edmund
Randolph attributed it to Patrick Henry, but Miss Rowland insists that
Mason wrote it. See Life of George Mason, i., 241 et seq.; also Conway's
Edmund Randolph, 158. Madison introduced his amendment in the convention
itself, but if he spoke upon it, which is improbable, as he was then mastered
by his modesty and youth, there is no record of it. The Plan of Government,
from which the Constitution was evolved, was, according to unsupported tradition,
written by Meriwether Smith (see Madison's letter to Mason's grandson, 29
December, 1827). In the construction of the Constitution itself Mason's was
the master hand, and it is highly probable that he also wrote the Plan. See
Miss Rowland's Life of George Mason; also for an earlier impression of Madison,
Madison to Washington, Oct. 18, 1787, where he incidentally speaks of the
Constitution as having been drawn by Mason; and his letter to Judge Woodward,
Sept. 11, 1824; also Rives, i., 163 n.

[2]

Quere—its date.

[3]

It was drafted by George Mason.

[4]

On the printed paper here literally
copied, is a manuscript variation of this
last article making it read "That Religion
or the duty we owe our Creator,
and the manner of discharging it, being
under the direction of reason and conviction
only, not of violence or compulsion,
all men are equally entitled to
the full and free exercise of it, according
to the dictates of conscience; and
therefore that no man or class of men,
ought, on account of religion to be invested
with peculiar emoluments or
privileges, nor subjected to any penalties
or disabilties, unless under colour
of religion, the preservation of equal
liberty and the existence of the State
be manifestly endangered."

This variation is in the handwriting
of J. M. and is recollected to have
been brought forward by him with a
view, more particularly to substitute
for the idea expressed by the term
"toleration," an absolute and equal
right in all to the exercise of religion
according to the dictates of conscience.
The proposal was moulded into the last
article in the Declaration, as finally
established, from which the term "toleration"
is excluded. [Note in MS.]

[5]

An alteration in the handwriting
of J. M. erases "of the House" and
inserts after "committee," appointed
for that purpose
; and adds, at the end,
after "members," of the House making
the whole read—Laid before the committee
appointed for that purpose,
which they have ordered to be printed
for the perusal of the members of the
House.

From this correction, it appears that
what was laid before the Committee
was printed by its order not by that
of the convention, as was done in the
case of the "Declaration of Rights"
reported by Mr. Cary, from the appointed
committee: nor is there in the
Journal any order for printing any plan
of Government reported to the Convention,
from a committee. [Note in
MS.]

[6]

It is not known with certainty from whom this first draught of a Plan
of Government proceeded. There is a faint tradition that Meriwether Smith
spoke of it as originating with him. What is remembered by J. M. is, that
George Mason was the most prominent member in discussing and developing
the Constitution in its passage through the convention. The Preamble is known
to have been furnished by Thomas Jefferson. [Note in MS.]