Honble. Thomas Jefferson, Esqr.

DEAR SIR                  Gunston-Hall Septemr. 27th. 1781

It gives me great Pleasure to hear that you have determined again to accept a Seat in the House of Delegates; where I am sure your Assistance, on many Occasions, will be greatly wanted. ~

You have, no Doubt, been informed of the factious, illegal, & dangerous Schemes now in Contemplation in Congress, for dismembering the Commonwealth of Virginia, & erecting a new State or States to the Westward of the Alleghany Mountains. This power, directly contrary to the Articles of Confederation, is assumed upon the Doctrine now industriously propagated "that the late Revolution has transferred the Sovereignty formerly possessed by Great Britain, to the United States, that is to the American Congress" A Doctrine which, if not immediately arrested in it's progress, will be productive of every Evil; and the Revolution, instead of securing, as was intended, our Rights & Libertys, will only change the Name & place of Residence of our Tyrants. This that Congress who drew the Articles of Union were seem to have been sensible of & have provided against it, by expressly declaring in Article the 2d that "Each State retains it's Sovereignty, freedom, & Independence, & every Power, Jurisdiction, & right, which is not by this Confederation expressly delegated to the United States in Congress assembled"—& in article the 13th. That of the Articles of this Confederation shall be inviolably observed by every State and the Union shall be perpetual; nor shall any alteration at any time hereafter be made in any of them; unless such alteration be agreed to in a Congress of the United States and be afterwards confirmed by the legislatures of every State. In the 9th Article defining the powers of Congress; least the power of deciding Disputes concerning Territory between any of the States, should be attended with dangerous consequences; it is provided that no State shall be deprived of Territory for the Benefit of the United States, and the 11th Article declares that Canada acceding to this Confederation & joining in the measures of the United States shall be admitted into & entitled to all the advantages of this Union: but no other Colony shall be admitted into the same, unless such admission be agreed to by nine States.  ~ This Article holds an immediate offer to Canada; and the words no other Colony clearly plainly relate to the other British Colonys of Nova Scotia & East and West Floridas, and clearly exclude the idea of any absolute power in Congress to erect new states. ~ I had almost forgot to mention this Beginning of the 13th Article, declaring that every State shall abide by the Determinations of Congress assembled, on all questions which by this Confederation are submitted to them. ~ From whence arises by the strongest implication, a nugation and disdain of any other Power and a Declaration that no State is bound by them if they should at any time be assumed. ~ I should not have troubled you with these quotations, but I apprehended in the late confusions & sudden removals of public as well as private papers, the Articles of Confederation may have been sent to some Distant place. ~  I think that they will prove that Congress are now abrogating to themselves an unwarrantable and dangerous power; which is in its nature Subversive of American Liberty; for if they can stride over the lines of Confederation and assume Rights not delegated to them by the Legislatures of the different States, in one instance, they can in every other that the lust of power may suggest. I hope our Assembly will take this subject up with the coolness and attention which its importance merits & with proper firmness endeavour immediately to put a stop to such proceedings, by positive instructions to the Virginia Delegates in Congress. And as much will depend upon the disposition of the inhabitants in the western parts, it will be prudent to secure their Affections by giving them the advantages of government; which will require that the executive and judiciary powers shall be exercised among them; this may be a difficult plan, but it is an absolutely necessary one; permit me sir to recommend it to your particular attention: I do it because I really know no man whom I think so capable of digesting a profuse plan, & I know from some former conversation that you have heretofore turned your thoughts to this subject. ~ I am at this time very unwell, & hardly able to sit up; which I hope will excuse the loose manner in which I have written. ~ I beg my Compliments to your Lady and am, with the truest Esteem &Respect, dear Sir

Your Affectionate & Obdt. Servt.

G. Mason

Translated from the Original Letter by Virginia1774.org: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5.

See also: 2 The Papers of George Mason  697-698 (R. Rutland ed. 1970).