The History of the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia

by S. J. Quinn

PENDLETON’S RESOLUTIONS.

It was Edmund Pendleton, of Sparta, in Caroline county, a Virginian, who prepared, and Cary presented, resolutions defining the position of the colonies and instructing the Virginia delegation to the General Congress to vote for a declaration of separation from Great Britain. These resolutions were heartily indorsed by the troops that had assembled at Williamsburg, and even by those leading Virginians who so strongly condemned Patrick Henry’s first great speech.

It was Richard Henry Lee, of Westmoreland county, a Virginian, who offered, in the Colonial Congress, the resolution that embodied the views expressed in the Pendleton resolutions, and which brought forth the Declaration of Independence. The resolution was submitted on the 7th of June, 1776, which was as follows:

“That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown; and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.”

The discussion of this resolution showed the temper of Congress, and while the vote was postponed at the instance of some members who still thought such a measure premature, a committee to prepare and bring forward a declaration was appointed, of which Thomas Jefferson was made chairman. Mr. Lee, a member of the committee, was called home because of the sickness of his wife, but Mr. Jefferson sent him the original copy of the draft and also the amendments for his inspection, and wrote him: “You will judge whether it is the better or worse for the critics.”

GEORGE MASON’S BILL OF RIGHTS.

It was George Mason, of Gunston Hall, a native of Stafford county, a Virginian, who wrote the Virginia Bill of Rights and the Constitution of Virginia. The fact that Mason was a farmer, and not a lawyer, has been emphasized by several writers, and the fact that he prepared those important documents, when there were so many eminent lawyers associated with him in those stirring times, is a matter of surprise. But that he did write them has never been disputed or questioned, and it was an honor that linked his name with those of Jefferson and Madison, and will enshrine his memory in the hearts of his countrymen for all time to come. And the honor of preparing this important instrument is enhanced when we remember they were almost original in thought as to most of the principles declared in them. It is true that some have claimed that the Bill of Rights was based upon the English Bill of Rights of 1689, yet that bill only asserted the right of subjects to petition, the right of Parliament to freedom of debate, the right of electors to choose their representatives freely, and other minor privileges. These rights had been exercised by the Colonists, but there were other rights dear to the people which they had not enjoyed and were not permitted to enjoy, and there were grievous wrongs committed upon the people that had to cease.

These things called for a different kind of paper from the English Bill of Rights and the times necessitated different demands than were made calling forth the bill of 1689. A paper was needed setting forth the rights of freemen and providing for the government of freemen, and it is asserted that the Bill of Rights was a pattern for the Declaration of Independence, while the Constitution was the first one that was written for the government of a free and independent people in all the past history of the world.

Public School Building (colored.)
(See [page 144])