Author: Madison, James ; George Mason
Title: "Freedom of Religious Opinion" in Niles' Weekly Register (Nov 18, 1826)
Description: 1826. 1st Edition. 0 pp. Disbound. Good, entire issue disbound showing wrinkling and some discoloration. Important correspondence between George Mason and James Madison on the rights of religious freedom in the U.S. The issue was a proposed bill before the House of Delegates in Virginia propositng legal support being provided by the state to teachers of Christianity. Both stopped the bill from being passed and give their reasons, The entire " Memorial and Remonstrance" addressed to the "general assembly of the comonwealth of Virginia" printed for the first time at Mason's request. The original had been printed and distributed among some people and Mason, having read and made his own copy of it, writes in his letter to Madison if he were the author or knew who wrote it. Madison responds that he did indeed write it in 1794 in defense of the freedom of religion. ecause of the statement's "profound view and liberal spirit that pervade every part of the composition", George Mason sends it to be published in 'one of our public prints". Madison's words are very much appropriate in the 21st century. Good.

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