Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-11-03
PRINCIPLES OF FEDERATION.


We lay before Readers beautiful paper OH the subject
Of liberation in Religion The coresp,nIxn,. which aeon,
panits IT. verihes the conjecture which had be.n
formed that Mr. Madison is lis Auhor-We sincerely wish
that by such PreoePts the rising Republics Of So.6
would guide their course
Copy Gf correspondence ,Dith Mr.. .11ad;,o,
SIR, 81 ~" July ON i0-o.
The enclosed paper came by acc;der, ;,,
possession some time since. Deenlv ;r,,-os.a1
with the valuable truths which il contained and tho
Pfoiounu views 81 liberal spirit which pervade ev.
ry part OF the composition, caused an imp,essior
10 be made; and have given ii, hro' that means
So'ne ci'cuIS'Ion- circumstances have since in =
ducei me to give it one more extended br s,,ni
ing for publication in one of our r,,bl;c Dr;,,
1T becomes, therefore, a natural and in,era.,;na
enquiry who was IFS Author
Having heard IT attributed to Yourself. az ,veI
as TO others, you VIII, trust, Sir, pardon the Lib
cry take l" requesting such information of the
tact As you may be in possession of
II IS rom st'ch papers as this that pos,erity will
draw their maxims of Religious, as from the s,rIy
papers of our Rev oluon, their axioros rs pei,,i'
cal s Civil liberty.
Ii Is not, therefore, alone a matter of o,,.io,,a
speculation, but of actual justice, TO ascertain from
an authentic so"rce, to whom the honor Of ,bei,
composition is due.
Accept pray you, Sir, III. assurance Of NV
'Hy eAai'eu respect, and great veneration
Your most obi humble serv't.
e. MASON.
10 James Madison, late President
OF the United States
mouip,Iicr, July -, 1926.
lave read, Sir, your letter of the G n instant,
requesting such information as ! may be able to
sTe' as 70 me "lhin OF the document, a copy OF
which was inclosed in it.
The motive and manner of the request ,yopr,r
enuile 1t to respect, if less easily comp led win
than by the following statement
DuTing the Session Of the General Assemble
l7sl-5, Bill was introduced into the House Of
Deegates, providing for the legal support of
Aeaehers OF the Christian Religion and, being
T"o"@eu ny the most popular talents in the
House, seemed likely to obtain a rnaio,;,,, IS
votes In order TO arrest its progress. it ,yss il
Sisted, with success, that the Bill sbould ~, No.,
Poned TIL the ensuing Session and. in The mo-,
time, be printed for public consideration That Tho
sense OF the people might be better called forth
your mighty distinguished ancestor, Col George
-sson' Coi; ueo' Nicholas, also possessing much
public weight, and some Others. tbougb, !, ,d,isa
p'e' 'hat a Temonsirance against the Bill sbould he
prepared Tor general circulation and signature .od
imposed on me the task Of drawing IN such "a
per. The draught having received tbei, s,nc,;or
large number of printed copies were ,lis,r;t,,,ai
ana so extensively signed by the people of ever
Ne"SuuS denomination, that az the ensuing session
the projected measure was entirely frustrated and
under the influence OF tbe public sentiment thus
manifested the celebrated Bill :" ESTABLISHING Re-
4sious Freedom" enactedint permanent B,rrier
against iuure attempts on the rights of conscience
a. declared IN The great charter prefixeJ IN ria
Constitution OF the State Wv
BE pleased to accept, Sir. nv friendly re.,sc,s
JAMES MADISON
George Mason, Green Spring, near William sto,o
Virginia. v imam 'O'' g.
~ "'S Ho,toJoOie me General 4sse,nJly ofMe
commonwealth Of Virginia.
mEDoRIAB AND REMoNsTRANcr
We, The subscribers, citizens OF the ss,4 TO-,
monweslth, having taken into serious consi,le,,,i,
Bill printed by order Of the last session If ,t1
General Assembly, entitled, {" a Bill e-tsbrisbia,
4 Provision for Teachers Of the Cbristian psl;'
eIon' and conceiying that the same if fnallv ar,o,
WIN me sanctions OF a law, will be a dsngero,.
aouse OF power, are bound, las faithful members of
nee 'ae' 70 demonstrate against IL; and 10 declare
''' '.a,o''' " "h'ch "e are determined Were
monsiaie against lhe said Bill
Because, We hold il for = 6,,t..n,.,
u'"''D's I''"' " That Religion or the duty which
We O"e w "" creator, end the manner Of dis =
charging %, can be directed onIv b, - " o's
conviction, not by force or violence s.. ~ d."
ilgiop 'ben OF every man must be LEFT fo a.. -
vicIon and conscience Of every man; and u i H..
right ~ every man to exercise 1t as rIe.e NAV d..
'''f' ms right IS in lis nature an usal,e,slf.
teW' u % nnahenabley because the opinioos -,
i'e"' depending eny On the evidence conieu,ola-
'D'ri'f''ion on niga'', e. Jo.