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. [Illustration: Public School Building (colored.) (See page 144)] [Illustration: The Butterfield Monument. "In honor of the Fifth Army Corps, and also to the valor of every American Soldier." Gen. Butterfield. (See page 269)] The Bill of Rights was adopted by the Virginia Convention on the 12th of June, 1776, after it had been thoroughly discussed for several days. It was written for Virginia and did not apply to the other colonies, yet it is so complete in all its parts we are told that other State constitutions, in defining the rights of the citizen, largely followed the phraseology of this famous instrument. All Virginians should read it, again and again, study it and treasure it as one of the most precious legacies bequeathed to them. The following is the bill in full: