University of Virginia Library

TO GEORGE MASON.[84]

I have received, Sir, your letter of the 6th. inst.
requesting such information as I may be able to give
as to the origin of the document, a copy of which
was inclosed in it. The motive and manner of the
request would entitle it to respect if less easily complied
with than by the following statement.

During the session of the General Assembly
1784–5 a bill was introduced into the House of Delegates
providing for the legal support of Teachers of
the Christian Religion, and being patronized by the
most popular talents in the House, seemed likely
to obtain a majority of votes. In order to arrest its
progress it was insisted with success that the bill
should be postponed till the evening session, and
in the meantime be printed for public consideration.

That the sense of the people might be the better
called forth, your highly distinguished ancestor
Col. Geo. Mason, Col. Geo. Nicholas also possessing
much public weight and some others thought it
advisable that a remonstrance against the bill
should be prepared for general circulation and
signature and imposed on me the task of drawing
up such a paper. The draught having received
their sanction, a large number of printed copies were
distributed, and so extensively signed by the people
of every religious denomination that at the ensuing
session the projected measure was entirely frustrated;

and under the influence of the public sentiment thus
manifested the celebrated bill "Establishing Religious
Freedom" enacted into a permanent barrier
against Future attempts on the rights of conscience
as declared in the Great Charter prefixed to the
Constitution of the State. Be pleased to accept
my friendly respects.