As much as I value an union of all the states, I would not admit the southern states into the union, unless they agreed to the discontinuance of this disgraceful trade, because it would bring weakness and not strength to the union.

Quote by George Mason

Other historians have disagreed. S. He wanted to ban further importation of slaves from Africa and prevent slavery from spreading to more states.

On the nagging issue of slavery Mason walked a fine line. S.