MASON, GEORGE (172.5-92). An American political leader of the Revolutionary period. brim in Stafford (now Fairfax) County. Va. the was an intimate friend and neighbor of Washington. was a member of the (Min Company, and as early as 1759 was a member of the Virginia Assembly. lie was a leader of the opposition in Virginia to the Stamp Act, and in 1769 drafted the non-im portation resolutions, which were presented by Washington and adopted by the Assembly. At a popular meeting of the citizens, field July IS, 1774. he offered twenty-four resolutions on the issues between Great Britain and the Colonies, in which were outlined both the non-intercourse policy with Great Britain and the scheme of a general inter-colonial Congress. These resolu were sanctioned by tlw Virginia Convent ion in August, and were reaffirmed by the Continental Congress in October of the same year. Mason served on the Virginia Committee of Safety. and occupied a seat in the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 17711. In the latter capacity he earned distinction as the author of the well known Bill of Nights which constitutes so notable a part of the Virginia Constitution of 177(1, and which was probably the most complete as well as the most advanced statement of the rights of man had then appeared. In 1777 the Legklatore,
of which he was still a member. elected him to the Continental Congress; hut he declined to serve and remained an active and influential member of the Legislature for many years. In 1757 he became a member of the Constitutional Convention at Philadelphia, and took an active it in the debates on the Constitution. Ile spoke against the provision for the continuance of the slave trade and disapproved of the instrument as a whole. Ile refused to sign it. and. with Pat rick llenry in the Virginia Ratification Conven tion. tire w his influence against ratification and proposed twenty alterations, some of which were afterwards adopted. Ile was chosen as one of the first United Slates Senators from Virginia. butt deelined to serve. His death oeeurred Octo ber 7, 1792. at 'I:Huston Hall.' and his statue. with those of other distinguished Virginians, stands in front of the State Capitol at Richmond. Consult RoNNIand. Life of Georg,. Mason (New York.