His support of the democratic process, in pushing for annual election of officers and in expressing his belief in universal truths, foreshadowed his later contributions to the new government. Those ideas would later be reflected in the Virginia Declaration of Rights, and in Mason's participation in the Federal Convention of 1787. This company is essentially different from a common collection of mercenary soldiers. Upon this generous and public-spirited plan, gentlemen of the first fortune and character among us have become members of the Fairfax Independent Company, have submitted to stand in the ranks as common soldiers, and to pay due obedience to the officers of their own choice. We came equals into this world, and equals shall we go out of it.
All men are by nature born equally free and independent.
Every society, all government, and every kind of civil compact therefore, is or ought to be, calculated for the general good and safety of the community. Upon these natural just and simple positions were civil laws and obligations framed, and from this source do even the most arbitrary and despotic powers this day upon earth derive their origin. Then down the precipice of time it goes, And sinks in moments, which in ages rose. The history of all nations who have had liberty and lost it, puts these facts beyond doubt. We have great cause to fear that this crisis is approaching in our mother country.