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==Virginia Declaration of Rights 1776==

==Virginia Declaration of Rights 1776==

Mason wrote the [[Virginia Declaration of Rights]] in 1776; [[Thomas Jefferson]] used it as inspiration for the [[Declaration of Independence]].

Mason wrote the [[Virginia Declaration of Rights]] in 1776; [[Thomas Jefferson]] used it as inspiration for the [[Declaration of Independence]].

The opening philosophical section is closely based on Virginia's "Declaration of Rights," a notable summary of current revolutionary philosophy, and adopted by Virginia in June 1776.<ref> see [http://gunstonhall.org/documents/vdr.html "The Virginia Declaration of Rights," Final Draft, 12 June 1776]</ref>

The opening philosophical section is closely based on Virginia's "Declaration of Rights," a notable summary of current revolutionary philosophy, and adopted by Virginia in June 1776.<ref>see [http://gunstonhall.org/documents/vdr.html "The Virginia Declaration of Rights," Final Draft, 12 June 1776]</ref>

Mason wrote:

Mason wrote:

::''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 cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity; namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.''

::''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 cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity; namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.''

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