Mason wrote this inspired by the Enlightenment philosopher John Locke as well as others. Mason complained about the “useless members” of the committee. Their lack of commitment pushed him to be one of the main authors of the Virginia Declaration of Rights. Mason’s ideas and writings were soon adopted by Thomas Jefferson for the Declaration of …show more content…
He distressed over the amount of power being given to the federal government. He wanted to limit the federal government and ensure that each State maintained power to keep the federal government in check and manage regional laws. He believed slave trade should be abolished and encouraged others to agree. This was a difficult and controversial subject as some state economies, including his own beloved Virginia, relied on the slave labor. Mason was an activist for the rights of the individual. He spent many hours arguing for individual rights and freedoms. Which was one of the influences for the composure of the Bill of