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Quote by George Mason

“We owe to our Mother-Country the Duty of Subjects but will not pay her the Submission of Slaves.”

Quote by George Mason

Author

George Mason was an American statesman, lawyer, and writer, renowned for his profound contributions to constitutional freedoms and rights. Born on December 11, 1725, and died on October 7, 1792, Mason was a key figure in the drafting of the Virginia Constitution and played a significant role in the American Revolutionary War. more

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“I determined to spend the Remainder of my Days in privacy and Retirement with my Children, from whose Society alone I cou'd expect Comfort.”

Children Comfort Determined My Children Privacy Retirement

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“This cold weather has set all the young Folks to providing Bedfellows. I have signed two or three Licences every Day [as a Fairfax Justice of the Peace] since I have been at Home. I wish I knew where to get a good one myself; for I find cold Sheets extreamly disagreeable.”

Has Beens Two Home Young Three Wish Justice Cold Folks Weather Providing Sheets Disagreeable Cold Weather Bedfellows

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“I quitted my Seat in the House of Delegates, from a Conviction that I was no longer able to do any essential Service.”

Able House Essentials Conviction Seats Delegates

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“I have been for some time in Retirement, and shall not probably return again to public Life; yet my Anxiety for my Country, in these Times of Danger, makes me sometimes dabble a little in Politicks, and keep up a Correspondence with some Men upon the public Stage.”

Men Littles Has Beens Country Sometimes Stage Danger Return Anxiety Retirement Public Life Correspondence

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“I am now pretty far advanced in life, and all my views are center'd in the Happiness and well-fare of my children; you will therefore find from me every Indulgence which you have a right to expect from an affectionate Parent.”

Wells Children Parent Views My Children Indulgence Affectionate

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“I thank God, I have been able, by adopting Principles of strict Economy and Frugality, to keep my principal, I mean my Country-Estate, unimpaired.”

Mean Has Beens Country Able Principles Economy Thank God Principal Estates Strict Adopting Frugality

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“All power is vested in, and consequently derived from, the people; [...] magistrates are their trustees and servants, and at all times amenable to them.”

People All Time Servant Magistrates Trustees Amenable

Author:George Mason

“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 magistrate, legislator, or judge to be hereditary.”

Men Community Judging Ought Office Privilege Consideration Entitled Exclusive Public Service Legislators Hereditary Magistrates

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“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.”

“That in all capital or criminal prosecutions a man bath 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 favor, and to a speedy trial by an impartial jury of twelve men 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.”

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Author:George Mason