Drafting the Virginia Declaration of Rights
Originally drafted by George Mason and Thomas Ludwell Lee, the Virginia Declaration of Rights was amended by the state convention before its final adoption. Here James Madison, who proposed changes regarding religious freedom, shows the Virginia Declaration of Rights as it was submitted to the convention (on the left) and what was approved by the convention (on the right). Authors of both the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights drew on this document for ideas and phrases.
Originally drafted by George Mason and Thomas Ludwell Lee, the Virginia Declaration of Rights was amended by the state convention before its final adoption. Here James Madison, who proposed changes regarding religious freedom, shows the Virginia Declaration of Rights as it was submitted to the convention (<i>on the left</i>) and what was approved by the convention (<i>on the right</i>). Authors of both the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights drew on this document for ideas and phrases.