Class Book P^-::^ Gop^Tig}lt}<'?. COPYRIGHT DEPOSm AS FOrXD AMOXG THE WASHINGTON PAPERS IX THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Compiled from the original records, under tlie direction of the Committee on Library of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, ^vith annotations. BY JULIUS F. SACHSE UBRARIAX, MASOXIC TEMPLE PHILADEUHIA PHILADELPHIA 1013 Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1915, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington, D. C, by J. Hekkv Williams, R.W.G.M. COMMITTEE ON LIBRARY JOHN WANAMAKER, Chairman, SAMUEL AV. LATTA, NORRIS S. BARRATT, HARMAN YERKES, HENRY DARRACH, WALTER T. TAGGART. JULIUS F. SACHSE, Librarian. An Edition of One Thousand Copies has beep printed, of •which this is No. Xd^'J PRESS OF THE NEW ERA PRINTING COMPANY LANCASTER, PA. JUL -8 1915 m^ The position of eminence, the great respect and the pro- found reverence in which the name of Washington is en- shrined in the hearts of the American people, and particularly so, with the members of this Fraternity, and of all true lovers of liberty and freedom wheresoever dispersed, is the reason, if any be needed, why everything relating to this great man and worthy brother should be preserved for the future generations, to be used by them as a guide, in the cultivation of those car- dinal virtues of Honor and Integrity, that should ever charac- terize the conduct of a good man and a good Mason. The collection and reproduction of the letters of Brother Washington, together with the text of this book, have been prepared under my supervision, and its publication is heartily approved. ^ff^jj^^Mm^ Grand Master. February 22, A.D. 1915-A.L. 5915. CONTENTS. Foreword The Masonic Correspondence of Washington 5 Page 1 Correspondence with Watson and Cassoul 19 II Correspondence with Alexandria Lodge, No. 39, 1783. . 28 III Correspondence with Alexandria Lodge, No. 39, 1784 . . 34 IV Correspondence with King David's Lodge, No. 1, New- port, R. L, 1790 37 Correspondence with St. John's Lodge, No. 2, Newbern, N. C, 1791 44 VI Correspondence with Prince George's Lodge, No. 16, Georgetown, S. C, 1791 51 V fiDaeontc Corre0pon^ence of Masbtngton * 1^ Page Correspondence with 'Grand Lodge of South Carolina, 1791 5T VIII Correspondence with Grand Lodge of Georgia, 1791 ... 65 IX Correspondence with Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, 1792 69 X Correspondence with Grand Lodge of INIassachusetts, 1792 80 XI Correspondence with Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, 1796 86 XII Correspondence with Alexandria Lodge, No. 22, Virginia, 1797 95 XIII Correspondence with Grand Lodge of [Massachusetts, 1797 102 XIV Correspondence with Grand Lodge of Maryland, 1798. . Ill XV Correspondence with G. W. Snyder, 1798 117 XVI Index 141 vi fD>a0onic Correspondence ot Maebington ILLUSTRATIONS Paqb Masonic Portrait of Washington Frontispiece. i/ J. Henry Williams, R. W. Grand Master iii "^ Washington's Headquarters at Newburgh on the Hudson Facing page 22 Wise's Tavern, Alexandria, Virginia. ... " ' 35 Moses Michael Hays (Portrait) " " 15^ Washington, (Houdon Portrait), 1786.. " " 36^ Mordecai Gist, (Portrait) " " 57 " Residence of President Washington in Philadelphia " " 69^ Fac-Simile of Address " " 72 ^ Jonathan Bayard Smith, (Portrait) " " 76' Rev. William Smith, D.D., (Portrait) ... " " 88 Mount Vernon, 1783-1799 " " 95 ^. Paul Revere, (Portrait) " " 105 ^ Washington, (St. Memin Portrait), 1798. " " 117 Draft of Letter to Grand Lodge of Maryland Between pages 112-113 Press copy of Washington's letter to G. W. Snyder, September 25, 1798 " " 124-125 Press copy of letter, October 24, 1798 " " 130-131 FOREWORD WASHINGTON'S Masonic correspon- dence as found among the Washing- ton papers in the Manuscript depart- ment of the Library of Congress, affords an insight of the great esteem in which Washington held the Masonic Fraternity, of which since his early days he had been an honored member. This is further shown by his great courtesy to the Brethren, in his rephes to their addresses, no matter whether they were from a Grand or Subordinate Lodge. In this collection, were also found some of the original drafts of Washington's replies, together with copies of the various masonic addresses and let- ters to him, and in the case of Dominie Snyder, press copies of his answers. In the present work an attempt has been made to group this matter together in chronological order, also to show some of the surroundings and conditions under which this correspondence was made, and of the Brethren who were prominent in the presentation 2 1 flDasontc Corrc0pont)cnce of Maebinaton of these Eleven Addresses, which came to him from Seven of the Thirteen Colonies. A complete set of photostatic fac-similes of these docmnents in the Library of Congress, has been secured for the Museum of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. Efforts were also made to obtain photographic copies of such of the Washington Masonic letters as were still in existence, which were successful except in two instances as noted in the text. It will be noted that on April 30, 1789, Washing- ton, while Master of his Lodge, was inaugurated President of the United States; this is the only in- stance where one of the fourteen Presidents, who were Members of our Fraternity was a Master of a Lodge during their term as President. The esteem in which Washington held the Ma- sonic Fraternity, is shown by the fact, that in almost every case he had both the address and his reply, copied upon opposite pages of one of his folio letter- books, now in the Library of Congress. These copies are respectively in the handwriting of Washington's private secretaries, viz: — Major William Jackson: Tobias Lear: Bartholomew Dandridge and G. W. Craik. In addition to the above copies we have Washing- ton's original drafts of his letters to Watson and Cassoul, to the Grand Lodges of Massachusetts, South Carolina, and Maryland, to Paul Revere, and 2 ■^aeneratton ot OTasbtnaton as before stated press copies of his answers to Mr. Snyder. A perusal of these original documents, as here pre- sented, affords an excellent illustration of the entente cordiale, which existed between Washington and his Masonic Bretliren. Upon the other hand, how the Masonic Fraternity, during Washington's lifetime, venerated their august Brother, is shown by the addresses of this correspon- dence as retained by Washington. Also by the various Masonic Memorial services held, after Washington's death, the chief of which was in Philadelphia, under the auspices of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. The Masonic services held in every State of the Union, the many Eulogies and Sermons delivered and printed are matters of history. How this veneration of the great Washington continued during the past years, is shown by the fact that there are no less than 53 Masonic Lodges in the United States, named after the illustrious Brother. This is independent of the nmnerous Royal Arch Chapters, Commanderies, and other Masonic bodies, that bear the name "Washington." Washington Lodges are found in thirty-eight of the forty-eight States of the American Union. The other ten States, which thus far have no "Washington Lodge" within their Jurisdiction, are Mississippi and Texas, together with the newer west- ern States lately admitted into the American Union, 3 fiDasonic Correspondence ot Masbinaton viz: — Nevada, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona. In addition to the fifty-three Washington Lodges, there is also one each in Canada, the Island of Cuba and the District of Columbia. In the Masonic Fraternity throughout the world, the name of Washington is ever kept in remem- brance, as one of the brightest luminaries in the Masonic constellation, one of the most prominent ex- amples, being his full length oil portrait in Masonic clothing in the Hall of the Grand Lodge of England at London. Acknowledgments are due to the Hon. Herbert Putnam, Librarian of Congress, for placing these documents at the disposal of the writer, and giving permission to have photostat copies made of same; also to J. Henry Williams, Esq., R. W. Grand Master of Masons in Pennsylvania and Masonic Jurisdiction thereunto belonging, for suggestions and encouragement in the preparation of this work. Qu£(Uu^ ^.^ iC^^ cu^7u>£y: Philadelphia, February 22, A.D. 1915-A.L. 5915. The Masonic Correspondence of Washington UCH has been written pro and con about Washington and his connec- tion with the Masonic Fraternity. Thus far no complete set of his Ma- sonic writings have been compiled or published. Such portions as have been printed were fragmen- tary, and issued for what may be called local purposes. How careful Washington was of his Masonic correspondence is shown by the fact that he had copies made, in his private letter books, of most all letters sent him by the various Masonic Grand and Subordinate bodies, and his answers thereto, usually upon opposite pages. He thus had both the ad- dresses and his reply at hand for easy reference. This fact shows the esteem in which Washington 5 fiDasontc Corrc0pon^ence of Masbtnoton held his Brethren of the Masonic Fraternity, as well as liis own opinion of Freemasonry. These letter-books are now in the Library of Con- gress, and photostat copies of such as relate to Free- masonry have been made for the Library of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. As to the authenticity of the Washington Letter Books, and how they came into the possession of the United States Government is explained by the fol- lowing statement by JNIr. Galliard Hunt, chief Manuscript division. Library of Congi*ess:^ *' They are a part of the Washington papers in "the Government's possession, purchased from the "Washington family, one lot in 1834) and the re- "mainder in 1849, and deposited in the Department "of State until 1903, when, by the President's order, "they were sent to this Library. They range in "date from 1754 to 1799. Some of them are partly " or wholly in Washington's hand-writing, and others "in the writing of his secretaries and their clerks. " There are no volumes of press copies, but there are "some press copies among the papers.'* Washington in writing his answer to the various greetings, in most cases would first make a rough copy of his reply, then digest, alter, correct or change such parts or sentences as he thought proper. Then 1 Letter to Julius F. Sachse from Manuscript Division, December 19, 1914 — in Library of Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. 6 ©tiGtnal Drafts after deliberate consideration, a fair copy would be made either by Washington or one of his Secre- taries and signed by him, and sent to the Masonic bodies for which they were intended. Fortunately some of the original drafts of these Masonic letters have come down to us; thus far five autographic copies have been found among the Washington papers in the Library of Congress at Washington. 1. Draft of letter written at Newburg, New York, August 19, 1782, to Watson and Cassoul of Nantes, France, thanking them for the Masonic Apron, em- broidered by the nuns at Nantes, and which is now in possession of Alexandria- Washington Lodge, No. 22, at Alexandria, Virginia. 2. To the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. 3. To the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. 4. To the Grand Lodge of South Carolina. 5. To the Grand Lodge of Maryland; this draft is a two-page letter written upon a letter sheet and shows many changes and corrections; it is dated 1798. In addition to the above original drafts there were found several addresses and the accompanying an- swers, which thus far have never been published, in fact no mention of them has ever appeared in print, viz: — 1. An address from the Grand Lodge of Georgia, together with Washington's reply. 7 flDaeontc Corrc0pon^e^ce of Masbtn^ton 2. A letter to Paul Revere, Grand Master of Massachusetts and his Grand Officers. 3. An address from the Brethren of Prince George's Lodge, No. 16, Georgetown, South Caro- lina, presented to President Washington during his visit to South Carolina, April 30, 1791, also his reply to same. 4. An address from the Bretliren of St. John's Lodge, Xo. 2, of Newbern, !N'orth Carolina, and the reply to same. Photostat copies of the above have also been ob- tained which make the most complete collection of the Masonic Correspondence of Washington which has thus far been compiled. A careful study of this correspondence so care- fully cherished by Washington puts an entirely new phase upon Washington's connection with the Ma- sonic Fraternity, and his esteem of Freemasonry. These papers absolutely thrust aside all of the statements, argimients and libels, brought forth by our misguided enemies at the time of the Anti- jNIasonic craze during the last century, and in a small way kept alive even down to the present day by some people who are blinded by their ignorance or malice. Referring to some of their published statements that Washington never belonged to the INIasonic Fraternity, and that there were no authentic INIasonic letters nor copies thereof among his records so fre- TRttnere ** IDtnMcation " quently made during the political Anti-Masonic craze, which swept over New England and the Mid- dle States about eighty-five years ago, the following quotations from the Masonic literature of the period will prove interesting examples. One of the chief statements made by these people, and brought before all their conventions and heralded in the public prints was: "That though General Washington caused to be carefully copied in books kept for that purpose, all his letters on every sub- ject, no trace whatever of any of the five letters under consideration,^^ nor any letters to any other Lodge or Masonic body whatever, are to be found among the records of his correspondence."^ The chief authority upon whom the leaders of the Anti-Masonic movement at that time depended in their defamation of Washington^ was Jared Sparks of Boston, who at the time was engaged writing a life of Washington^ and then had access to all the Washington letter-books and papers, and from his connection with the Washington correspondence, was la The letters referred to by the Anti-Masons were the one to King David's Lodge at Newport, two to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, and one to Charleston, S. C, and to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. The above five Masonic Letters were all that were known to the Anti- Masons at that time. 2 " Vindication | of | General Washington | from the stigma | of adher- ence to I Secret Societies | by | Joseph Ritner | Governor of the Common- wealth of Pennsylvania, | communicated | by | request of the House of Representatives, to that body,| on the 8th of March, 1837." This address during the Anti-Masonic period was regarded as an im- portant state paper. 9 fiDasonic CorreeponDence of Maebtngton supposed to be the best qualified to pass upon their authenticity. Another of the charges made by the Anti-Masonic bigots whose chief object was to controvert facts was: "That although Washington was extremely scrupulous in preserving his correspondence with all public or private bodies, there is not a line of his relating to Freemasonry, to be found among all his papers, except the correspondence with Mr. Snyder!^ It is also a fact, that Washington was equally scrupulous in dating his letters, and it is believed that not one can be found, which is without a date."' It appears that the chairman of a committee of citizens of Boston called upon the officers of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts to submit their two Washington letters to Jared Sparks for his inspec- tion. This the Grand Officers refused to do. In return Sparks sent the following letter to the Chairman : " Boston, February 18, 1833. "Sir, — I received this morning your letter of the 15th instant, in which j^ou inquire: *' Whether I have yet seen or had in my possession 3 Letter press copies of the Snyder letters were retained by Washixg- TON. Photostat copies of same are in the Archives of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. 4 " Proceedings of the Third State Anti-masonic Convention, of Massa- chusetts, Worcester, 1832," p. 27. 10 3are^ SparFie any original letter or letters, in the hand writing of General Washington, addressed to any body of men denominating themselves Freemasons. "In reply, I can only state that I have seen no letters from General Washington of the kind de- scribed in yours, nor received any communication on the subject, either verbal or written.^ "I am, Sir, "Very respectfully, "Your ob't servant, "Jared Sparks/' How Sparks could have overlooked the numerous entries in the letter books whose numbers and folios are here quoted, also the drafts of replies in Wash- ington's hand- writing and signed by him (copies of which are here given in this work), can only be ac- counted for by the fact that he must have been car- ried away by the political excitement of the day. Washington's connection with the Masonic Fra- ternity has been exhaustively traced by Brother James M. Lamberton, Past Master of Perseverance Lodge, No. 21, in his address "Washington as A Freemason," from the day of his entrance into Fredericksburg Lodge, No. 4, of Virginia, Sep- tember 1, 1752, until the day of his death, Decem- ber 14, 1799, before the Grand Lodge of Penn- sylvania, at its celebration of the Sesqui-Centennial 5 Vindication of Washington before quoted, p. 13. 11 fiDaeonic Corre0pon&ence of Masbtnaton Anniversary of the Initiation of Brother Geouge Washington into the Fraternity of Freemasons,^ held in the Masonic Temple, in the city of Phila- delphia on Wednesday, November 5, 1902. It must also be remembered that Washington made a public profession of his membership in Phila- delphia, Monday, December 28, 1778, when he walked in procession with his brethren of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, from the College at Fourth and Arch Streets to Christ Church on Second Street above Market Street, Philadelphia, where, after a prayer by Rev. William White, a sermon was preached for the "[Benefit of the POOR] by ap- pointment of and before | The General Communica- tion I of I Free and Accepted [ MASONS | of the | State of PENNSYLVANIA, 1 on Monday, De- cember 28, 1788, 1 Celebrated, agreeable to their Con- stitution, I as the Anniversary of | ST. JOHN the EA^angelist, | by William Smith, D.D., | Provost of the College and Academy of Philadelphia." | This Sermon was printed and dedicated to Brother Washington and a copy sent to him, which was bound with other pamphlets in a volume lettered "Masonic Sermons," and is so mentioned in the in- ventory of his estate and now in the Boston Athe- 6 The Ancient Minute Book and Ledger of Fredricksburg Lodge, No. 4, in Virginia, of which we have a photostat, is still in possession of the Lodge, showing that " George Washington was entered November 4, 1752, and on November 6, paid for his entrance £2. 3. 0, March 3, 1753, George Washington was passed to Fellow-Craft; August 4, 1753, George Washington was raised Master Mason." 12 Sermons bi? IRev. TOtUlam Smttb nffium.^ At this service over four hundred pounds were collected for the relief of the poor. Rev. Brother William Smith, D.D., preached a number of Masonic Sermons in Pennsylvania, Dela- ware and Maryland; three of which delivered at the request of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania were printed, viz.: Sermon 1. — On Brotherly Love, &c. Preached on the Anniversary of St. John the Baptist, June 24, 1755, Sermon 2. — Preached on Monday, December 28, 1778, celebrated as the Anniversary of St. John the Evangelist. With an Appendix on the Character of Lucius Quintius Cincinnatus, Sermon 3. — Preached before the Grand Lodge of Communication, on St. John the Baptist's day, June 24, 1795. Original copies of the above are in the Library of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. Rev. Brother Smith reprinted the above in a Volume of Sermons with the following note:^ " N. B. The above three Sermons were preached at the request of the Grand Lodge of Communica- tion, for Pennsylvania, and contains in substance all that the Author thinks it necessary to bequeath to 7 Catalogue of Washington Collection in Boston Athenaeum, Boston, 1897, p. 185. 8Cf. "Works of William Smith, D.D.," Philadelphia, 1803, Vol. II, pp. 27-88, also " Life and Correspondence of Rev. William Smith, D.D.," Philadelphia, 1880, Vol. II, p. 9. Et seq. 13 flDaeontc CorreeponDence of Masbington the Brotherhood, by way of Sermons, preached at different times and in sundry of the neighboring- States, during 48 Years past." By referring to the following letters and Docu- ments it is shown that Washington's interest in Freemasonry and the Fraternity continued until the time of his death. These documents cover the period from 1782 to 1798. As these copies in our possession are photostat fac-similes of the original documents in the Library of Congress, there can never be any question of cor- rectness or of their authenticity. The finding and collating of this material will settle for all time to come the question of Washing- ton's connection with the Ancient Fraternity, and his opinion and esteem of Freemasonry. The earliest record we have of any Masonic Body proposing a masonic address to General Washing- ton, was the resolution offered in King David's Lodge, No. 1, at Newport, Rhode Island, during Washington's visit to Newport in March, 1781, while the French Army under Rochambeau was quartered there. Washington arrived in Newport on the sixth of March and remained there until the thirteenth, when he left for Providence by way of Bristol. It was in anticipation of this visit that the Breth- ren of King David's Lodge, of which Brother Moses 14 mMmmg W. M. KING DAVID'S LODGE, No. 1, NEWPORT, R. I., 1780-1781. GRAND MASTER OF MASONS IN MASSACHUSETTS, 1788-1793. fiDO0e0 notcbael iba^s 31ichael Hays^ was Worshipful blaster, that a ma- sonic greeting to General Washington was pro- posed. The following entry from the old Minute Book of the Lodge will explain why the project failed to materialize. Extract rnoM the Recoeds of King David's Lodge. "Regular Lodge night, held at the house of Mr. James Tew, Wednesday evening, the 7th February, 1781. 5781. *' A motion being made that as our worthy brother, his Excellency General Washington, was daily ex- pected amongst us, a committee should be appointed to prepare an address in behalf of the Lodge, to pre- sent him. Voted, That the Right Worshipful Mas- ter (Moses Michael Hays) together with brothers Seixas, Peleg Clark, John Handy, and Robert Elliot, be a committee for that purpose, and that they present the same to this Lodge at their next meeting for their approbation." "At a Lodge held by request of the Right Wor- shipful Master, Feb. 14th, 1781. 5781, " The committee appointed to draught an address to our worthy brother, His Excellency General Washington, report, that on inquiry they find Gen- eral Washington not to be a Grand blaster of North 9 For an exhaustive sketch of Brother Moses Michael Hays, see The American Freemason, Vol. V, p. 576. 15 fiDaeontc Correspondence of Masbin^lon America; as was supposed, nor even Master of any particular Lodge. They are, therefore, of opinion that this Lodge would not choose to address him as a private brother at the same time, think it would not be agreeable to our worthy brother to be ad- dressed as such. "Voted, That the report of the committee be re- ceived, and that the address be entirely laid aside for the present."^^ Now as to the cause for this uncertainty how to address Brother Washington, it will be recalled that just at that time, the proposition sent out by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania nominating General Washington as Grand Master of all the Colonies, was then before the various grand bodies, but did not find favor in New England, in fact the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts was the chief objector, and finally defeated the scheme to elect Washington the Grand Master General. ^^ The means of intercourse between the different 10 "Newport, ss. Newport, August 18th, A.D. 1832. I certify that the extracts taken from the records of King David's Lodge, Newport, contained in the above and three foregoing pages, have been by me com- pared with the minutes contained in two books purporting and appear- ing to be the original records of said Lodge, and found to be true and accurate copies of the same. "Quid attestor, "Geo. C. Masok. "Jus. Peace and Pub. Not'y." Cf. "Antimasonic Republican Convention of Massachusetts held at Worcester, September 5-Q, 1833," p. 23. 11 For a f uU account of this episode, see " Freemasonry in Pennsyl- vania," Barratt and Sachse, Philadelphia, 1908, Vol. 1, Chapter XII; " Washingtox as General Grand Master," p. 393 et seq. 16 Xettere ant) HD^ressee Masonic Bodies at that early day were so limited and uncertain that it offers a clear explanation for the uncertainty under which the brethren of King David's Lodge, No. 1, at Newport labored at that time. During the Anti-Masonic craze in the last cen- tury, the above minute was extensively used by the political leaders of the Anti-Masonic party to strengthen their claim that Washington had never presided over any Masonic Lodge. Following is a complete list of the Washington Masonic Correspondence, thus far found among the Washington papers in the Library of Congress. Draft of Letter to Watson and Cassoul, Nantes, France, August 10, 1782. Letter to Alexandria Lodge, No. 39, Virginia, December 28, 1783. Address from King David's Lodge, No. 1, Rhode Island, August 17, 1790, and Washington's Reply. Address from St. John's Lodge, No. 2, Newbern, North Carohna, April 20, 1791, and his reply. Address from Prince George's Lodge (Moderns) Georgetown, South Carolina, April 30, 1791, and his reply. Draft of reply to Grand Lodge of South Carolina, May 5, 1791. Address from Grand Lodge of Georgia, May 14, 1791, and his reply. 3 17 HDasontc Correepon^ence of Maebtnoton Address from Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, March, 1792, and his reply. Address of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, December 27, 1792, and his reply. Address from Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, De- cember 27, 1796, and his reply. Address from Alexandria Lodge, No. 22, Vir- ginia, April, 4, 1797, and his reply. Letter to Paul Revere and Grand Officers, April 24, 1797. Draft of Letter to Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in reply to an address, April 1797. Draft of a reply to an address from the Grand Lodge of Maryland, November 8, 1798. Letter from G. W. Snyder to Washington, August 22, 1798. Washington's Reply to Snyder, September 25, 1798. Washington's Reply to Snyder's letter of Octo- ber 17, 1798. 18 ELKANAH WATSON, B. PLYMOUTH, MASS., JANUARY 22, 1758, D. AT PORT KENT, N. Y., DECEMBER 5, 1842, WHO, TOGETHER WITH HIS PARTNER CASSOUL, PRESENTED TO WASHINGTON A MASONIC APRON MADE BY THE NUNS AT NANTES, FRANCE. NOW IN THE POSSESSION OF ALEXANDRIA-WASHINGTON LODGE, No. 22, VIRGINIA. Correspondence with Watson & Cassoul, Nantes, France, August, 1782. ^^^THK earliest letter of General George m ■ I Washington of Masonic Import known m ^ 1/ is the one written while in camp at New- ^^^ burgh in New York, dated State of New York, August 10, 1782, to the firm of Watson and Cassoul in Nantes, France, in which his friend. Brother Elkanah Watson was the chief partner, thanking the firm for the Masonic Apron and orna- ments sent him from Nantes, France. This apron is now in the possession of the Alex- andria-Washington Lodge, No. 22, at Alexandria, Virginia. Elkanah Watson in his Memoirs states :^^ *' Wishing to pay some mark of respect to our he- loved Washington, I employed, in conjunction with my friend M. Cossoul, nuns in one of the convents 13 « Men and Times of the Revolution, or Memoirs of Elkanah Wat- son," New York, 1856, pp. 135, 136. 19 fiDaeonic Correspondence ot Maebtn^ton at Nantes to prepare some elegant INIasonie orna- ments, and gave them a plan for combining the American and French Flags on the apron designed for this use. They were executed in a superior and expensive style. We transmitted them to. America, accompanied by an appropriate address." By the above extract is shown beyond all doubt the error in the statement so repeatedly made, that the apron at Alexandria is the one made by the INIarquise de Lafayette, and presented to Washing- ton by General Lafayette, during his visit to INIount Vernon in 1784, and the one in the ^luseum of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, that of Wat- son and Cassoul.^^ Following letter was sent to Washington, to- gether with the IMasonic Apron and "Ornaments," by ^lessrs. Watson and Cassoul, from France under date "east of Nantes," 23d 1st Month, 5782.'^ " To HIS Excellency, Gener.vl Washington, America. "Most Illustrious and Fcspccted Brother: " In the moment when all Europe admire and feel the effects of your glorious efforts in support of American liberty, we hasten to offer for your accept- ance a small pledge of our homage. Zealous lovers of liberty and its institutions, we have experienced 14 Cf. " Proceedings Grand Lodge of New York," 1867, p. 28. 15 " :\Icnioirs of Elkaiiah Watson," p. 135. 20 Note : — The Masonic Apron presented by Watson & Cassoiil to General Washington, August 1782, is now in possession of Alexandria- Washington Lodge, No. 22, at Alexandria, Virginia. No sketch or photograph of same could be obtained for use in this work. fiDasontc Hpron ant) ©rnaments the most refined joy in seeing our chief and brother stand forth in its defence, and in defence of a new- born nation of RepubHcans. "Your glorious career will not be confined to the protection of American liberty, but its ultimate effect will extend to the whole human family, since Providence has evidently selected you as an instru- ment in his hands, to fulfill his eternal decrees. "It is to you, therefore, the glorious orb of America, we presume to offer Masonic ornaments, as an emblem of your virtues. May the Grand Architect of the Universe be the Guardian of your precious days, for the glory of the Western Hemi- sphere and the entire universe. Such are the vows of those who have the favor to be by all the known numbers." "Your affectionate brothers, "Watson & Cassoul." "East of Nantes, 23' 1st Month, 5782." Owing to the uncertain intercourse between the two countries, it was almost seven months before Brother Washington received the Masonic apron, ornaments and letter from France. He at that time was in camp with the army at Newburg on the Hudson/*' In reply Washington sent the following auto- graph letter to the donors in Nantes, viz. : J 10 Cf. " Itinerary of General Washington from June 15, 1775, to December 23, 1783," by William S. Baker, Philadelphia, 1892, p. 271. 21 nDasonic (I:orre0pon^ence of Masbinaton 'Genr- "State of New York "Aug' 10^' 1782. " The JNIasonick Ornam^ "which accompanied your Bro- "therly Address of the 23' of *' Jai/ last, tho' elegant in "themselves, were rendered "more valuable by the flattering "sentiments, and aifectionate "manner, in which they were " presented. — "If my endeavours to "avert the evil, with which this " Country was threatned by a "deliberate plan of Tyranny, " should be crowned with the sue "cess that is wished — The praise "is due to the Grand Architect " of the Universe ; who did not see "fit to suffer his superstructures "and justice, to be subjected to the "Ambition of the Princes of this " World, or to the rod of oppression, " in the hands of any power upon "Earth.— "For your affectionate "Vows, permit me to be grateful: " — and offer mine for true Brothers Matson an^ Caesoul "in all parts of the world; and " to assure you of the sincerity^ "with which I am ■yrs "Mess" "Watson & Cosson'^ "East of Nantes" This autograph letter from Washington to Messrs. Watson and Cassoul is now in the possession of the Grand Lodge of New York, who purchased it from a member of the Watson family in the year 1866 or 1867 at a cost of approximately $1,000, and is now framed and secured between two sheets of glass in the collection of the Committee of Antiqui- ties of the Grand Lodge F. & A. M. of New York/' It is written upon two pages of an ordinary letter sheet, and was a copy of one written by Washing- ton, with which he was not entirely satisfied, as shown by the changes made in the text before it was sent to France. The first copy Washington re- tained, and is now in the Library of Congress, and is here given for comparison, viz: 17 It will be noted that on l)oth the draft and letter, WA8HiNGToi^ TER TO Watson and Cassoul, New York, August 10, 1782. noaoontc (loiHCDponDcncc ot Maobinoton *' Sta'I'K ok Nkw York, "acnr., "Aug' 10'" 1782. " The IMasoiiick Ornii- "incMils whicli lUTompanird your *' Hrotluily AddiTss of the *j;r'. "of [\\c first Miontli, tho' ek\i;nut "in lluMusrlvcs, werr nMuliMrd "more vnljinble by Ihc llalleriui*" "seiitiniciils. juul nllVelloriale *'inaiuuM-, iu wliicli tlicy were *'oirere(l.— " I r mv endeavours fo *'av(il llie c\\\, \\\\\\ nliieh "llu's C'ounlry >vas Ihrt^alned, by *' a (lebberaie plan ol' Tyranny, "should be erowned witli the " sueeess that is wished tlie "praise is due to tht* CiVaiul " Arcli'ili'cl ol' the Universe; who sei* lit to **did not/'NsufTtM- his superstruc "tures iV; justie(\ to bt* subjeeted ambition o\' the Vriuees o^ this world — or "to the /\ rod o\' oppri\ssion, in tlie "hands o'i any power uj)on V'arth. !*\)r your alVtH'tionale "\()\vs. ptMiuIl \\\c to be LiratiM'ul; "and olVei' miiu' lor true Hrolliers "in all parts ol' llu^ world; and '2k\ Matoon anD daosoul "to assure you of the sincerity "with which 1 nin. ], as C'oinniaiuler-iii-Chicl' oi' the Armies ol' the United States. Upon Uiuislmas l^'ve he relnrned to INlount Ver- non, \vherenj)on the lirelhren at Alexandria, who, it mnst l)e i-ememhered, were workini;' undiM- a Penn- sylvania \\'airanl, at oiu'e sent the following- Ad- 28 xcttcr to xoDoc mo. 30 dress signed by the Officers of Lodge No. 89, to Brother VVasiiin(JTON at Mount Vernon,"*' viz.: *' Sir: Whilst all denominations of j>e()j)le bless the happy occasion of your excellency's relurrt to enjoy private and domestic i'elieity, permit us, sir, the uiem- bers of Lodge; No. .*J1), lately established in y\le\'- andria, to assure your excellency, that we, as a mys- tical body, rejoice in having a brother so near us, whose ])reeminent benevolence has secured the hjip|)i- ness of millions; and thai; we shall esUem ourselves highly honored al; all limes yoin- excellency shall be pleased lo join us in llic; needful business." "We have the honor to be, in the name and behalf of No. .39, your excellency's "Devoted friends and })rothers, " JiojJKR'r A HAM, M. "E. C. Dkk, *S'. W. "J. AiJJsoN, J. W. " Wm. IIamsay, Trcas." "Ills Excellency General Washington." Two days later Brother Wastttnoton sent fol- lowing r(;])ly,"' viz.: 21) Cf. "Old MfiSDiiic \.<}(\jj^fH of PPMHsylvania— Morlcrns and Ancirnls," Julius F. Sficlisc, IM.iladclpliiu, 1<)I:{, Vol. II, p. 1.07. Also Vida " Wiisli- iiigton llic Man and llic Mason," hy Charles II. Callalian, i»nl)!islicd under the ausy)ic-cs of llu; "Memorial 'reniplc (!onunince of Hie (Jeorge Wasli- lufrUm Masonic National Memorial Assoeiation," Washington, I). C, lOI.'l. •-•1 Original anionjr Washington relies in Alexandria-WaHliington Lodge. No. 22, Alexandria, Virginia. l''ae-similc in Washington eollcction of (Irand l-odge of I'cnnsylvania. 29 fiDaeontc CorrcsponDence ot TOasbington "Mount Vernon 28'*^ Dec^ 1783. Gentlemen: "With pleasing sensibility " I received your favor of the 26*^, and " beg leave to offer you my sincere thanks "for the favorable sentiments with "which it abounds. — " I shall always feel pleasure " when it may be in my power to ren- " der service to Lodge N° 39, and in " every act of brotherly kindness to the "Members of it; being with great truth. "Your affect^ Brother "and Obed* Servant -^i^ — x>^ ^^y ' " RoV Adam Esq' Master, "& the Wardens & Treas' ^. , "of Lodge N° 39." No copy of either address nor reply of this corre- spondence has thus far been found among the Wash- ington papers in the Library of Congress, by the present writer. Brother Robert Adam, the Master of Alexandria Lodge, No. 39, was a Son of the Rev. John Adam, D.D., and Janet Campbell, of Kelbride, Scotland, was born May 4, 1731; he emigrated to America in 1753, and, after a short residence at Annapolis, Md., 30 ^^^t^^^pu^^^^yz^^U^^^^ Washingtok's Reply to Alexandria Lodge, No. 39. Original in Alexandria- Washington Lodge, No. 22, Alexandria, Virginia. 31 flOasonic CorrceponDence of Maeblngton establislied himself at a pleasant country residence in Fairfax County, Virginia, about four miles from Alexandria. He was a gentleman of refined taste, cultivation and wealth, and interested himself in everything that coidd promote the prosperity of his adopted home. It apj)ears that during his residence at Annapolis, he was made a IMason in a clandestine or irregular Lodge, and in the year 1783 applied for a dispensa- tion from the Grand Master of Pennsylvania, to apply to Lodge No. 2, for initiation and member- ship. Brother Dr. Elisha Cullen Dick, Senior Warden of Lodge No. 39, was a native of Pennsylvania, born near JNIarcus Hook, in Delaware County, about 1753, and died at Alexandria, Va., September 22, 1825. He was a son of Archibald Dick, a member of Lodge No. 2 at Philadelphia, and joined the same Lodge, September 15, 1779.-' Brother Elisha C. Dick was a graduate of the old Pequea Academy, and of the College of Pennsylvania. He began the study of medicine under Drs. William Shippen and Benjamin Rush. After graduating he settled in Alexandria, Va., and at once became active in ]Ma- sonic circles in that city, and was instrumental in having the petition presented to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania for a warrant, which was granted 22 Klishca C. Dick's petition was presented in Lodp;e No. 2, September 14, 1779, aj)proved and eiilered by virtue of a disjiensation from the Grand Master, September 15; passed and raised, September 23. "Free- masonry in Pennsylvania," Vol. I, pp. 352, 353. 32 Brctbrcn ot Xo^oe H^o. 39 imdcr llic luiiiic tiiul niuiibcr "Alexandria Lodge No. 39." Upon the records of llie Tiodge, l^rother Dick appears as both predecessor and successor of Brother Washington as Master. Brother Dick was the first c()nsultin«»- physician in Washington's last illness, and also conducted the Masonic services at Wasiiincjton's funeral on Dcceinher IS, 1701). A biography of Dr. Dick is in the Library of the (Irand I^odge of Pennsylvania. Brother John Allison, tlie Junior Warden of Lodge No. 39, had served as Major in the 1st Vir- ginia State Regiment, and later as T^ieutenant Colonel. Ih-other William liamsay. Treasurer of liodge No. 39, was an old personal friend of Wasiiincjton. For a history of Alexandria Tiodge, No. 39, war- ranted by the (irand Lodge of Pennsylvania, Feb- ruary 3, 1783, which was constituted on the second floor of a large three-story frame building, known as the "Tjamb Tavern," on the twenty-fifth of Feb- ruary, 1783, the Masonic student is referred to "Old Masonic Lodges of Pennsylvania," Philadelphia, 1913, Chapter XLVI, pp. 153-1()8. This tavern was situated on the west side of Union Street, between Prince and Duke Streets, Alexandria, the site of which is tiovv known as No. 55 South Union Street." 2.!Cf. " Tlie L()(I^;o of Washington," by F. I.. TJrockct, Alcxandrid, Va., 1H7(). 4 83 Ill Correspondence with Alexandria Lodge, No. 89, Virginia, June, 1784. ^^^'I^IIE next Washington letter of Masonic m 1 I import in chronological order is his reply ^L^^ to an invitation to join the brethren of ^^^ Alexandria Lodge, No. 39, in the cele- bration of St. John the Baptist's Day, June 24, 1784, to which Washington sent the following reply, accepting the fraternal invitation. "Mount Vernon, June 19, 1784.^^ "Dear Sir: With pleasure, I received the invita- tion of the master and members of Lodge No. 39, to dine Avith them on the approaching anniversary of St. John the Baptist. If nothing unforeseen at present interferes, I will have the honor of doing it. For the polite and flattering terms in which you 1*4 " Washington and his Masonic Compeers," by Sidney Hayden, New York, 1866, p. 104. 34 -. .,/l>i^ a I Maebington a penn0)?lvania jfreeman have expressed their wishes, you will please aecept my thanks." "With esteem and respcet, " I am, dear sir, " Your most Oh't serv't "Wm. Ilerhert, Esquire." No copy of this invitation nor acceptance, has thus far heen found among the Washington papers. The original of this letter is also said to he among the relics of Alexandria- Washington Lodge, No. 22. As no facsimile copy was ohtainahle, an engrossed copy for same was suhstituted in the collection of Grand Ijodge of Pennsylvania. This han(|uet was held at Wise's tavern^'^ and was particij)ated in hy Washington, who upon this festive occasion was elected an honorary Memher of Lodge No. 39, upon the Pennsylvania register, and thus hecame a Pennsylvania Frecmascm, and his name is duly recorded as sueh upon the minutes of Lodge No. .30. This fact further eontradiets the Anti-Masonic 2B John Wise's tavern, in wliicli tlie uhovc Masonic banquet was held. Is a lnrfz;c tliree-story hri<-k biiildiiif:: still standing on hif^h j^roiind at the northeast corner of Cameron and l"'airfax Streets, Alexandria. At that time it had an unobstructed view of the Potoinac. 35 fiDasonic Corrc0pont)ence of Masbington arguments based upon the Snyder letter so exten- sively used during the years 182G-1833, that Wash- ington never belonged to any Masonic Lodge, after his initiation in the Fredericksburg Lodge in 1752. The above note as recorded upon the Minutes of Alexandria Lodge, No. 39, shows that Washington was in complete harmony with the Masonic Fra- ternity; further, that by his acceptance of member- ship, Washington became a Pennsylvania Mason. Among the clierished relics in the Alexandria Lodge, there is none more valuable than the Masonic portrait of Brother Washington, which forms the frontispiece of this volume. This was painted from life in pastel, by William Williams, at Philadelphia in 1794. In the year 1910 a facsimile of this portrait was made in oil by Miss Fanny M. Burke, an artist of repute, and a great-granddaughter of Thomas Jef- ferson. This replica made for the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania is the only one ever made of this por- trait and shows Brother Washington as a man and Mason, neither heroized nor idealized.^" 26 Vide " Abstract of Proceedings of the Proceedings Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, During the Year 1910," pp. 110-117. .A^fe^ :^f^74=M^ 3G BV JEAN ANTOINE HOUDON, 1786. IV Correspondence with King David's Lodge, No. 1, Rhode Island, August, 1790. ^^^p^HE next correspondence in chronological m g order is the letter, sent in reply to the ^lJV^ Address delivered by the Brethren of """"^ King David's Lodge, No. 1, at Newport, Rhode Island, to President Washington, August 17, 1790, during his visit to New England. By referring to the Minutes of this old Lodge following entry is found: "At a Lodge, called by request of several Breth- *'ren on Tuesday evening, August 17, 5790, an "Entered Apprentice Lodge being opened in due "form proceeded to business, when it was proposed "to address the President of the United States. "The R. W. Master (Moses Seixas) Henry Sher- "burne, and the Secretary, [William Littlefield] 37 fiDasonic CorreeponDence ot XKHaebinaton " were appointed a committee for that purpose, after "which the Lodge closed."^^ / Following address was prepared and according to local tradition was publicly presented, by the Com- mittee to President Washington, in the Venerable Sanctuary of the Jewish Congregation at Newport; the Brethren of King David's Lodge being present: " To George Washington^ President of the United States of America. "We the Master, Wardens, and Brethren of " King David's Lodge in New Port Rhode Island "with joyful hearts embrace this opportunity to " greet you as a Brother, and to hail you welcome "to Rhode Island. We exult in the thought that "as Masonry has always been patronised by the " wise, the good, and the great, so that it stood " and ever will stand, as its fixtures are on the " immutable pillars of faith, hope, and charity. "With unspeakable pleasure we gratulate "you as filling the presidential chair with the " applause of a numerous and enlightened people " Whilst at the same time we felicitate ourselves " in the honor done the brotherhood by your many " exemplary virtues and emanations of goodness " proceeding from a heart worthy of possessing 27 A copy of the Extracts from the Records of King David's Lodge, No. 1, as made by Ara Hildreth, Esq., is in the Archives of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, Mss. Volume Q, R.I. 7. Cf. also a verified copy of the Minute in " Proceedings of the Anti- masonic Republican Convention of Massachusetts, Boston, 1832," p. 23. 38 Ikfng 35)avi^*0 Xot)fie, mo. i "the ancient mysteries of our craft; being persuaded " that the wisdom and grace with which heaven "has endowed you, will square all your thoughts, " words, and actions by the eternal laws of honor, " equity, and truth, so as to promote the advancement " of all good works, your own happiness, and that " of mankind. "Permit us then, illustrious Brother, "cordially to salute you with three times three "and to add our fervent supplications that the " sovereign architect of the universe may always "encompass you with his holy protection. " Moses Seixas^^ Master " New Port Aug' 17, 1790. Committee, "H^ Sherburne "By order " W^ LiTTLEFIELD, Sed'/* Brother Moses Seixas was born in New York, March 28, 1744; died in New York City, November 29, 1809. He was a merchant in Newport, Rhode Island, and one of the founders of the Newport Bank of Rhode Island, of which he was cashier until his death. He succeeded Brother Moses M. Hays as Worshipful Master of King David's Lodge at Newport. He was also the first Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island. It was Moses Seixas who addressed a letter of welcome in the 28 Vide " The Jews and Masonry in the United States," by Samuel Oppenheim, New York, 1810, p, 22 et seq. 39 flOaeonic Corrc0pon^encc of Masbington name of the Jewish congregation to Geokge Wash- ington when the latter visited Newport, and it was to him that Washington's answer was addressed. The Town Hall at Newport being out of repair at that time the ancient Jewish Synagogue on the main street was used, upon that and several other public occasions. It is an interesting fact that this sacred edifice is still preserved in the same condition as it was during the Colonial period. \ So far as known this address was the first of Ma- sonic import made to Washington as President. Unfortunately, the exact date of presentation and receipt of his answer is not known to a certainty, as there does not appear to be any date upon either the original documents or the copies in Washington's letter book."^ ' The original address and Washington's reply to the Master, Wardens and Brethren of King David's Lodge in Newport, the latter signed in autograph by Washington, are in the Athenaeum collection at Boston, JNIassachusetts.^^ Following copy of the President's answer is taken from his letter book.^*^ Both address and answer in the letter book are in the handwriting of Major William Jackson, secretary to the President. A photostat of the original entry is in the Archives 29 Cf. " Catalogue of the Washington Collection in the Boston Athe- naeum," Boston, 1897, p. 331. 3oLetterbook II, p. 29. 40 Fac-simile of Reply to King David's Lodge, Xo. 1, Newport, R. I. Letter Book II, Folio 29. flDasontc (^orre0pon^encc of Maebington of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. It will be noted that there is neither place nor date given. President Washington arrived at Newport, R. I., at eight o'clock on Tuesday morning, August 17, 1790. On the next day, Wednesday, the President and his suite left on the Packet " Hancock " at nine o'clock in the morning for Providence. His company consisted of Governor Clinton of New York, Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State, Senator Theodore Foster, Judge Blair, Mr. Smith of South Carolina and Mr. Gorman of New Hamp- shire; members of Congress.^ ^ Washington left Providence, Saturday, August 21, and arrived in New York upon the following day, Sunday, August 22, 1790,^^ and sent the follow- ing reply to the Newport Bretliren: r To THE Master, Wardens, and Brethren of " King Davids Lodge in Newport Rhode Island." " Gentlemen, " I receive the welcome which you "give me to Rhode Island with pleasure, and I "acknowledge my obligations for the flattering " expressions of regard, contained in your address, "with grateful sincerity. "Being persuaded that a just " application of the principles, on which the Masonic 31 Cf . " Washington after the Revolution," W. S. Baker, Philadelphia, 1898, p. 192. 32 Cf. Pennsylvania Packet, August 30-31 1790. 42 lProvtC)ence an^ mevoport, 1R. fl. "Fraternity is founded, must be promotive of "private virtue and public prosperity, I shall "always be happy to advance the interests of " the Society, and to be considered by them as " a deserving brother. "My best wishes. Gentlemen, are offered "for your individual happiness."^^^ 32a Copy of Address in Letter Book II, pp. 27-28, Photostat of same in Archives of Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. i? BROTHER, ^ X OU are defircd to meet the Master and Bne-fJ [thren of^ I^ DCE No. 39, Ancient YoRt Ma- JsONJ, ^'^^JUC '2^^^*-' itt / o'clock this Evcning.V By Ordcx of the Mailer, Alexandria, ^^^-^^-"■"^eotetary. Fac-simile of Notice sent to Brother Washikgton at Mount Vernon TO Attend his Lodge. Treasured by the Wife of President Madi- son until her Death. Original in Archives of Grand Lodge OF Pennsylvania. Mss. Vol. A, Folio 81. 43 "^^QU WAm \i Vot^' V Correspondence with St. John's Lodge, No. 2, AT Newbern, ]Sr. C, April, 1791. HE next Masonic letter of President m 1 Washington was written, in answer to ^Lj^^ / an address by the brethren of St. John's ^™^ Lodge, No. 2, at Newbern, North Caro- hna, during his southern tour in 1791. April 7, 1791, Washington started on a tour through tlie Southern States, by way of Fredericks- burg, Richmond, and Petersburg, Virginia; Hali- fax, Tarborough, Newbern, and Wilmington, North Carolina; Georgetown, and Charleston, South Caro- lina; and Savannah, Georgia. When advice of this proposed presidential visit reached Newbern, the brethren of St. John's Lodge, No. 2,^^ at the stated meeting held on April 1, 1791, passed the following resolution. "^ Resolved, that an S3 In the latter part of the eighteenth eentury, St. John's Lodge, No. 2, at Newbern, was very active, at which time it built a two-story theatre and Masonic Hall, and took part in a number of local matters. 44 Hrrival at IRewbern, H» C. address shall be presented to Brother George Wash- ington, in behalf of this Lodge, on his arriving in this town."^^ Uj)on his arrival at ISTewbern, IST. C, April 20, following address was presented to the President,^^ Avhich, together with the reply, has thus far never been in print or noted: " To THE President of the United States of America. "The Address of St Johns Lodge No. 2 of Newbern. "Right Worshipful Sir, "We the Master, Officers, and Members of S*. "Johns Lodge No 2, of Newbern, beg leave to hail "you welcome with three times three. "We approach you not with the language of "adulation, but sincere fraternal affection — your "works having proved you to be the true and faith- " ful brother, the skilful and expert Craftsman, the "just and upright man. But the powers of elo- "quence are too feeble to express with sufficient "energy the cordial warmth with which our bosoms "glow toward you. " We therefore most ardently wish, most fervently "and devoutly pray. That the Providence of the 34 Extract from Minutes by Brother J. F. Rhem, M.D., Newbern, N. C. 35 Letter Book 2, pp. 47-48 in Library of Congress, Washington, D. C. ; photostat in Archives of Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. 45 fiDasontc Corre0pon^ence ot Maebin^ton Fac-simile of Addeess from St. John's Lodge, No. 46 Xetter 36ooft IRo. li rf Ac^ A^C/Ct^tsCcZi^^ - /)^e^ty ^f^t**. -iW*^ /^ ^^^Z^a^^ ^^^^«y^»<£^ ^^ ^Z^rrt^/fu, y^<^^, <^^./5«^fe<^^ ^^>^^^f^ft^^ J'^^.^^zJTC^ 3, Newbern, N. C. Letteb Book II, Folio 47-48. 47 fiDaeontc (Torreepon^ence ot Maebington "most high may strengthen, establish, and protect "you, in your walk through this life; and when you "shall be called off from your terrestrial labours by "command of our divine grand master, and your " operations sealed with the mark of his approbation, "may your soul be eternally refreshed with the "streams of living water which flow at the right "hand of God, and when the supreme architect of "all worlds shall collect his most precious jewels as "ornaments of the celestial Jerusalem, may you "everlastingly shine among those of the brightest " lustre. "We are in our own behalf, and that of the " Members of this Lodge, "Right worshipful Sir; " St Johns Lodge No. 2. "Your true and faithful brethren "April 20"^ 5791. " Isaac Guion Master, " Samuel Chapman Senior Warden. "William Johnston, Junior Warden. " Solomon Halling, Edav. Pasteuk, Ja^ Carney, f. lowthrop. ''Members of the Committee. Brothers: Isaac Guion, Worshipful Master, Sam« uel Chapman, Senior Warden, William Johnston, Junior Warden, and Solomon Hailing, signers to above petition had all seen service in the Continental 48 IRepl^ to St 3obn'0 Xobge, mo. 2 Army dui'ing the Revolutionary War. Brother Guion served as Surgeon and Paymaster; Brother Chapman, Captain in 8th North Carohna, serving until the close of the War; Brother Johnston, Cap- tain in North Carolina Militia and present at Kings Moimtain. Brother Hailing was Surgeon of the 4th Carolina Regiment and served until the close of the War. Washington's Reply^^ to the Bkethren of St. John's Lodge. "To the Master, Wardens, and Members of S^ "John's Lodge No. 2 of Newbern. " Gentlemen, " I receive the cordial welcome which you "are pleased to give me with sincere gratitude. "My best ambition having ever aimed at "the unbiassed approbation of my fellow-citizens, " it is peculiarly pleasing to find my conduct " so affectionately approved by a fraternity whose as- "sociation is founded in justice and benevolence. " In reciprocating the wishes contained " in your address, be persuaded that I offer a sincere *lpLrayer for your present and future happiness. 36 Ibid., p. 49 ; photostat in Archives of Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, 5 49 fiDaeontc Corresponbencc of Maebtngton "At the following Meeting of St. John's Lodge, No. 2, April 29, 1791, the Master laid before the Lodge the answer of Brother George Washington ordered that it be read, which being done. Resolved that it be entered on Minutes of this Lodge."" "The Address to Brother Washington and his an- swer are both on the Minutes of the Lodge. The original letter may have been lost during the late unpleasantness, as the Lodge lost nearly everything it possessed." "38 37 Extract from Minutes by Brother J. F. Rhem, M.D., Newbern, N. C. 38 Brother J. F. Rhem, Newbern, N. C, in letter to Brother A. B. Andrews, Jr., December 14, 1914. 50 VI Correspondence with Prince George's Lodge, No. 16, Georgetown, S. C, April, 1791. 'ASHINGTON left Newbern, North Carolina, under an escort of horse, April 22, 1791, and arrived at George- town, South Carolina, by way of Wil- mington, N. C, Saturday, April 30, where he was received with a salute of cannon, and by a company of infantry, and during the afternoon was presented with the following address, by a Committee of Prince George's Lodge, No. 16 (Moderns), of Georgetown, South Carolina. This Lodge was one of the original six Lodges, which had been warranted prior to 1756 in South Carolina, under the Jurisdiction of the Provincial Grand Lodge, and through it, the Grand Lodge of England. It is the only instance where a Lodge of the " Moderns" addressed Brother Washington: 51 fiOa0onic Corrcepon^cnce of Masbinoton "To Our illustrious Brother George Wash- ington. "President of the United States. " At a time when aW men are emulous to approach "you to express the hvcly sensations you inspire as " the Father of our country. Permit us the Brethren "of Prince Geor*<^ .^/^r-zy^ ca^^^J /^^ ^^^i^^TZFT^^tZ*^ /u/^/- a7::> y^^-^^y'^ ^y/^^ M^^ <^^^^ ^*c^ ^cj^ t^^^^z^^c^ Fac'-simu.k ok Aumu'.ss fuom the Bhetiirex of Prince Geouc.e's Loih'.e, Folio '^rX^J^y^ ^vT" ^jrf- '^*-^*- •^■^-C tj fi-t^<- ^ ■iA.^ '>«-«_*<^ ,^^.^x. •Cco'/T y,^/ ^'/^ r/^C^L^^^ /^^ l..y^ ^r^^y,^.,^ , ,^:rr.c/{. ^, A.*^.r//^/Vi ^^ 'y^'/ ^ '^j/<'.:^(>^y^.:> /^^ f^y^,,\ ^". ^. '/W^'/ti^^^^' rf/ ^^'y^i^^/f ^^ -^ t^e-^t^ ^y(^^/:^> /^ ^£n^ ^z^^^:.^i^^^ /4:.^^^y^ ^^^^ y^c^^ ^.^y^y ^^^^ y^u^^^../ Ay^/^ ^^^y yi>^^ ^^y^ /:^M-A'^i. c^^^c^ ay J;^^^^L. /Cta^ ^^y£ ^'^W^ '^^.^ ^^(Cil^ yOf/. No. I((, (Ji;()ii(;i;'i()w.v, South ("akoi.i na, Aimiii,, I70I. Li;tti;h Booic TI, 6!)-G0. flOaeontc CoircsponDcncc of Maehiuaton The following reply unfortunately bears no date. Both address and reply were entered in Washington Letter Book, No. II, folio 60-Gl. It is not known what has became of the originals. No notice or copies of either of the above documents have thus far been published. Washington's Reply. "To THE Brethren of Prince George's Lodge, No. 16. ''Gentlemen: " The cordial welcome which you give me "to George Town, and the congratulations, you are " pleased to offer on my election to the chief " magistracy receive my grateful thanks. "I am much obliged by your good wishes " and reciprocate them with sincerity, assuring the " fraternity of my esteem, I request them to believe "that I shall always be ambitious of being considered " a deserving Brother. ^^^^^^^^^ m m Ml m^"^^' IHbh H/*^^ ^k ''\* A i^i^^S^H ^^ .-■■' i- ''i HB^^ ^^. 'vA ^^qRmhhBHIH ■ -'-^^Ui'^l '''^^^■»llra5k^^Bi'VX>>" '-'-'> '''-'' ' ' ■: : ,:^^ JMKHHHfcm^-^; - :^ ^^ |BBBB||^BAtv.jr''.jM.'^aBsa \^ffi^^B^^^^^^^^^^| ./- lJ GENERAL MORDECAI GIST. B. BALTIMORE, MD., 1743. D. CHARLESTON, S. C, 1792. WHO, AS GRAND MASTER OF SOUTH CAROLINA, SIGNED THE ADDRESS TO BROTHER WASHINGTON. VII Correspondence with Grand Lodge of South Carolina, May, 1791. PRESIDENT Washington left George- town at six o'clock in the evening, May 1, 1791, reaching Charleston, South Carolina, Monday, JVIay 2, in a twelve- oared barge rowed by tAvelve American captains of ships accompanied by a great number of boats with gentlemen and ladies in them, and two boats with music.^^ Brother Washington re- mained in Charleston until May 9. Wednesday, May 4, 1791, General Mordecai Gist, an old companion in arms of Washington, and formerly Master of the Military Lodge in the Mary- land line (No. 27 upon the register of Pennsyl- vania),^^ but now Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ancient York Masons of South Carolina, 39 Washington's Diary. 40 Cf. " Old Masonic Lodges in Pennsylvania," Philadelphia, 1913, Vol. 2, p. 53 et seq. 57 flOasonic Correspondence of Maebtnoton attended by the other present and past grand offi- cers/^ waited on their beloved brother, the president of the United States, and presented the following address:'*^ ^' Sir — Induced by a respect for your public and private character, as well as the relation in which you stand with the brethren of this society, we the Grand Lodge of the State of South Carolina, An- cient York Masons, beg leave to offer our sincere congratulations on your arrival in this state. "We felicitate you on the establishment and ex- ercise of a permanent government, whose foundation was laid under your auspices by military achieve- ments, upon which have been progressively reared the pillars of the free republic over which you pre- side, supported by wisdom, strength, and beauty unrivalled among the nations of the world. " The fabric thus raised and committed to your superintendence, we earnestly wish may continue to produce order and harmonj'" to succeeding ages, and be the asylum of virtue to the oppressed of all parts of the universe. "When we contemplate the distresses of war, the instances of humanity displayed by the Craft afford 41 Brother William Drayton, Past Grand Master; Brother Mordecai Gist, Grand Master; Brother Thomas B. Boweii, Deputy Grand Master; Brother George Miller, Senior Grand Warden; Brother John Mitchell, Junior Grand Warden; Brother Thomas Gates, Grand Chaplain; Brother Robert Knox, Grand Treasurer; Brother Alexandrer Alexander, Grand Secretary; Brother Israel Meyers, Grand Tiler. 42 Citt/ Gazette, Friday, May 6, 1791, p. 2, column 4. 58 Ht Cbarleeton, South Carolina some relief to the feeling mind; and it gives us the most pleasing sensation to recollect, that amidst the difficulties attendant on your late military stations, you still associated with, and patronized the Ancient Fraternity. " Distinguished always by your virtues, more than the exalted stations in which you have moved, we exult in the opportunity you now give us of hailing you brother of our Order, and trust from your knowledge of our institution, to merit your counte- nance and supi^ort. "With fervent zeal for your happiness, we pray that a life so dear to the bosom of this society, and to society in general, may be long, very long pre- served; and when you leave the temporal symbolic lodges of this world, may you be received into the celestial lodge of light and perfection, where the Grand Master Architect of the Universe presides. "Done in behalf of the Grand Lodo-e. _ "M. Gist, G. M."'^ "Charleston, 2d May, 1791." To this address Washington returned the follow- ing reply.^^ "Gentlemen: — I am much obliged by the respect which you are so good as to declare for my public 43 For full account of Lodge 27 and Brother Gist, vide " Old Masonic Lodges of Pennsylvania," before quoted. Vol. II, pp. 53-63. 41 Cf. Hayden, "Washington and his Masonic Compeers," p. 135. 59 flOaeontc Corrc0pont)cncc of Masbington and private character. I recognize with pleasure my relation to the brethren of your Society, and I accept with gratitude your congratulations on my arrival in South Carolina. "Your sentiments, on the establishment and ex- ercise of our equal government, are worthy of an association, whose principles lead to purity of morals, and are beneficial of action. " The fabric of our freedom is placed on the endur- ing basis of public virtue, and will, I fondly hope, long continue to protect the prosperity of the archi- tects who raised it. I shall be happy, on every occa- sion, to evince my regard for the Fraternity. For your prosj^erity individually, I offer my best wishes." This letter was probably destroyed with other Grand Lodge property when Columbia, South Caro- lina, was burned by Sherman's Army during the war between the States.'*^ Fortunately, the original draft of Washington's reply, was found among the Washington papers now in the Library of Congress. This is written upon two pages of a letter sheet: the first page shows a paragraph which was suppressed and did not appear 45 William C. Mazyck, Right Worshipful Grand Secretary, G. L. of South Carolina. 60 Draft of IRepIi? upon the clear copy sent to the Grand Lodge of Ancient York Masons of South Carolina. A photostat of this draft is in the collection of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, viz.: "To THE Grand Lodge of the State of South "Carolina Ancient York Masons. " Gentlemen, "I am much obliged by the respect " which you are so good as to declare for my "public and private character. I recognise " with pleasure my relation to the Brethren "of your Society — and I accept with gratitude "your congratulations on my arrival in " South Carolina. "Your felicitations It is 'peculiarly general "pleasing to observe the /\ satisfaction expressed " on the establishment and exercise of the "federal government — "Your sentiments on the establishment " and exercise of our equal government are "worthy of an association, whose principles " lead to purity of morals, and beneficence "of action — The fabric of our freedom " is placed on the enduring basis of "public virtue, and will long continue "to protect the Posterity of the architects "who raised it. "I shall be happy on every 61 fiDaeonic Correepon^ence of Maebtngton X 7S^ -^irO^t^ ;^J^ ^-Z^ ^^^2^^?4^^Z^2^.^^^2^f*^ A^Cy^:^ Fac-simile of Draft of Washington's Reply to Ad- Handwkitiko of 62 Xibrari^ of Congress, IFlo* 33433 ^ ^C-^^^hc .-«___ 0^>^ y'^^^^z^CC ^^/»^4^«. r;^£.^^*^ DEESS FROM GrAXD LoDGE OF SoUTH CAROLINA, MaY, 1791. Mayor William Jackson. 63 fiDaeontc Correspondence ot Masbington regard occasion to evince my respect for the Fraternity, for whose happiness individually I offer my best wishes." Upon the first page the four lines commencing with " Your felicitations " and ending with *' federal government" were crossed out, and as above stated, were not in the reply sent to R. W. Grand Master Gist and his officers. In the third line from the bottom the word "re- gard " is substituted for " respect." Brother Gist was the original Warrant Master of the Regimental Lodge in the Marjdand line, No. 27, on the Roster of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. After the war. Brother Gist settled in Charleston, South Carolina, retaining his old Military Warrant, and, in 1786, applied to the Grand Lodge of Penn- sylvania, to renew this warrant, for a Lodge to be located at Charleston imder the same nmiiber. This request was granted, and Brother Gist was again named as Warrant Master. At the formation of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina Ancient York Masons in 1787, Brother Gist was elected Deputy Grand INIaster and served as such during the years 1787-88-89, and as Grand Master, 1790-1791. 64 VIII Correspondence with Grand Lodge of Georgia, ® May, 1791. N the way from Charleston, South Caro- hna, to Savannah, Georgia, Washing- ton called on Mrs. Greene, the widow of late Brother General Nathaniel Greene, at her plantation called Mulberry Grove, reaching Savannah, Georgia, on the evening of Thursday, May 12, 1791. Saturday, May 14, Washington was waited on by Brethren of the Grand Lodge of Georgia and presented with the following address :^^^ " To the President or the United States. "Sir, and Brother' , " The Grand Master, Officers and Members of the *' Grand Lodge of Georgia, beg leave to congratulate "you on your arrival in this city. Whilst your ex- 45a Washington Letter Book, II, folio 77. Photostat in Archives of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. 6 65 (BranD Xot)0C of (Bcoroia "alted character claims the respect and deference of " all men, they from the benevolence of masonic prin- "ciples approach you with the familiar declaration " of fraternal affection. "Happy indeed that Society, renowned for its "antiquity, and pervading influence over the en- " lightened world, which having ranked a Frederick " at its head, can now boast of a Washington as a "Brother. A Brother who it justly hailed the Re- " deemer of his country, raised it to glory, and by his "conduct in public and private life has evinced to " Monarchs that true majesty consists not in splendid "royalty, but in intrinsic worth. "With these sentiments they rejoice at your pres- " ence in this State, and in common with their fellow- " citizens, greet you, thrice welcome, flattering them- " selves that your stay will be made agreeable. "May the great Architect of the Universe pre- " serve you whilst engaged in the work allotted you " on earth, and long continue you the brightest pil- " lar of our Temple, and when the supreme fiat shall "summon you hence, they pray the might I AM " may take you into his holy keeping, "Grand Lodge in Savannah "May 14*^^ 5791. "Geo: Houston, ''Grand 31 aster/' Upon the next day, Sunday, May 15, after attend- ing the morning church service, Washington left 66 Mitb (Branb Xobge of 6eorota ^^^ ^jg^t^ /^£.€/^, ^^A^^.U>< 45tf^ >^^U^^^^^^ ^/$^ ^s-^eu^ -J^^/" ^/^^j^^fz-^^:^^ •^ //^y /u^i-^a^ ^^ ^^ ^=^^^7 "^^^^ "^'^ ''^-^ ^*^^^^u:.J^/Zy ^^*^ Bro. Washington's Reply to Address from the Grand Lodge op Georgia, May, 1791. Letter Book II, Folio 78. 67 noasonic Corrc6pou^cncc of Masbiuoton Savannah and set out for Augusta, Georgia, halting for dinner at jMulberry Grove, the seat of ]Mrs. Nathaniel Greene. The following reply to the ]Ma- sonie address was sent to the Grand Lodge of Georgia/^' both address and reply now first pub- lished: *'To THE Grand jMaster, Officers and ]Members "of the Grand Lodce of Georcia. ''Gcnflcmcu, " I am niueh obliged by yoin* congratulations " on my arrival in this city, and I am highly indebted "to your favorable opinions. " Every circumstance contributes to "reniler my stay in Savannah agreeable, and it " is cause of regret to me that it must be so " short. '']My best wishes are offered for the welfare "of the fraternity, and for your particular happiness." •ii' Aililross ami Koply. lotto;- l>ook 11. t'olio 77-7S. .^:::^ „^-^==;«^-^=^si O^ I- I- IX Correspondence with Grand Lodge or Pennsyl- vania, January 3, 1792. URING the Presidential term of Brother Washington, the President, when in Philadelphia, lived in a large double three- story brick mansion, on the south side of Market Street, sixty feet east of Sixth Street, the site of which is now occupied by three stores, viz.: Nos. 526, 528, 530. The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania then held its meetings in the upper floor of the Meeting house of the Free Quakers, still standing, at the southwest corner of Arch and Fifth Streets; this was but a short distance from the presidential mansion. Brother Washington was undoubtedly personally acquainted with many of its members, especially such as had been officers during the Revolution, and were fellow members of the Cincinnati. On St. John's Day, December 27, 1791, a Grand Lodge was opened in ample form,*^ and the Minutes 47 Reprint of Minutes of Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, Vol, I, p. 1T8. 69 flDaeonic Corre0pon^cnce of Masbington of the last Grand Communication were read, as far as concerns the election of Grand Officers. The Grand Officers upon this occasion were: Brother Jonathan Bayard Smith, R. W. Grand Master, Brother Joseph Few, Deputy Grand Master. Brother Thomas Procter, Senior Grand Warden. Brother Gavin Hamilton, Junior Grand Warden. Brother Peter Le Barbier Duplessis, Grand Sec- retary. Brother Benjamin Mason, Grand Treasurer. The Rev. Brother Dr. William Smith then ad- dressed the Brethren in an oration suitable to the Grand Day, and the thanks of the Lodge were given to said Brother William Smith for the same. After which, on motion and seconded, the Rev. Brother Dr. Smith and the Right Worshipful Grand Officers were appointed a Committee to prepare an address to our Illustrious Brother Geokge Wash- ington, President of the United States; and this Lodge was adjourned to the second day of January next to receive the report of said Committee. "Philadelphia, January 2^ 1792. "Grand Lodge, By Adjournment,^^ "A Grand Lodge was opened in ample form, and the Minutes of St. John's Day being read as far as relates to the appointment of a Committee to pre- pare an Address to our illustrious Brother George 48 76iU, p. 180. 70 OTttb Ikin^ Davib^s Xo^ae Washington, The Rev^ Bro. D^ W". Smith, one of the said Committee, presented the Draft of one which was read, Whereupon, on Motion and Sec- onded, the same was unanimously approved of, and Resolved, That the R\ W\ Grand Master, Dep^ G. Master, and Grand Officers, with the Rev*^ Bro. Smith, be a Committee to present the said Address in behalf of this R*. W', Grand Lodge, signed by the Right Worshipful Grand Master, and Countersigned by the Grand Secretary. " Lodge closed at half past 9 o'clock in Harmony." Following is the address presented to Brother Washington. Both the original draft in the hand- writing of Brother William Smith, showing minor alterations, as well as a fair copy, are in the archives of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.^^ " To His Excellency Geoege Washington, Pres- ident OF THE United States. '^ Sir and Brother: " The Ancient York Masons of the Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania, for the first time assembled in Gen- eral Communication to celebrate the Feast of S*. John the Evangelist, since your Election to the Chair of Government in the United States, beg leave to approach you with Congratulations from the East, and in the pride of Fraternal affection to hail you as the Great Master Builder (under the Supreme Architect) by whose labours the Temple of 49Mss. Volume A, folio 17, 19, 21. 71 fiDasonic Correspondence ot Maebtnoton Liberty hath been reared in the West, exhibiting to the Nations of the Earth a Model of Beauty, Order and Harmony worthy of their Imitation and Praise. "Your Knowledge of the Origin and Objects of our Institution; its Tendency to promote the Social Affections and harmonize the Heart, give us a sure pledge that this tribute of our Veneration, this Effu- sion of our Love will not be ungrateful to you; nor will Heaven reject our Prayer that you may be long continued to adorn the bright list of Master work- men which our Fraternity in the terrestrial Lodge; and that you may be late removed to that Celestial Lodge where love and Harmony reign transcendent and Divine; where the great Architect more imme- diately presides, and where Cherubim and Seraphim, wafting oin* Congratulations from Earth to Heaven, shall hail you Brother. "By order and in behalf of the Grand ( Seal) " Lodge of Pennsylvania in general Com- "munication assembled in amj^le form. (Signed) Attest : G^ Secrv 72 1 "^VS ^ § ^sia &^ ^ ^1^ (^ 5 Hi V ii -^ I CO < h- z ULl Q CO LU cc a. LU cc O LU r m Q CO CO CO 111 Q < < -I ^' ^l1 < z o cc O ai I u. O Mttb tbc (BranD XoD^e of penns^^Ivanta On January 3, 1792, Jonathan Bayard Smith, the Right Worshipful Grand Master, together with the Grand Officers and Rev. Brother Wilham Smith called on the President and delivered the above address. The deputation was received in the dining room of the presidential mansion. This was a room about thirty feet long, and where Washington was ac- customed to receive delegations. At the Quarterly Communication held March 5, 1792, the Right Worshipful Grand Master Jona- than B. Smith informed the Brethren that, in con- formity to the resolve of this Grand Lodge, he had, in company with the Grand Officers and the Rev. Brother D*". Smith, presented the address to our illustrious Brother George Washington and had received an answer, which was read. " To THE ANCIENT YORK MASONS OF THE "Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania. "Gentlemen and Brothers, " I receive your kind Congratulations with "the purest sensations of fraternal affection: — and *' from a heart deeply impressed with your generous " wishes for my present and future happiness, I beg "you to accept my thanks. "At the same time I request you will " be assured of my best wishes and earnest prayers " for your happiness while you remain in this terres- 73 fiDaeonic Correspondence of Masbtngton ^^^^^^^^ Fac-simile of Washington's Reply to Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, January, 1793. Original in Archives of the Grand Lodge. 74 WASHINGTON'S MASONIC APRON. EMBROIDERED BY MADAM LAFAYETTE; PRESENTED AUGUST, 1784, BY BRO. GEN. LAFAYETTE TO BRO. GEN. WASHINGTON; PRESENTED OCTOBER 26, 1816, BY THE LEGATEES OF BRO. WASHINGTON TO THE WASHINGTON BENEVOLENT SOCIETY OF PENNSYLVANIA; PRESENTED JULY 3, 1829, BY THE WASHINGTON BENEVOLENT SOCIETY TO THE R. W. GRAND LODGE, F. &. A. M. OF PENNSYLVANIA. ORIGJNAL APRON IN MUSEUM OF THE GRAND LODGE. Mitb the (Branb %o^qc ot jpennei^lvania " tial Mansion, and that we may thereafter meet " as brethren in the Eternal Temple of the " Supreme Architect. Whereupon, on motion and seconded. Resolved, unanimously, that the said address and the answer thereto, shall be entered on the minutes. This answer, in possession of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, is in the handwriting of Tobias Lear, who was the private secretary of the President, and for years attended to the details of Washington's domestic affairs, and was liberally remembered by him in his will. The letter was signed by Washington, who had both the address and answer copied verbatim in one of his letter books^** by Bartholomew Dandridge, sec- retary to the President. A photostat copy of above, together with the original answer by Washington is in the Archives of the Grand Lodge of Penn- sylvania. This address was read by Rev. Brother William Smith, one of the most noted Episcopal preachers in Philadelphia, and the first Provost of the College of Philadelphia, now the University of Pennsylvania. Brother William Smith, D.D., had been an active 50 Letter Book II, pp. 104-105. 75 flDasouic CorrcspouDencc of Masblnoton iiKiiil)cr of the INIasonic Fraternity in Pennsylvania Tor lorty years; he was the Chaphiin of the Grand Jiod^e of Moderns for ahiiost a quarter of a eentury. In winter of 1778 he joined the Grand Lodge of Aneient York JMasons, and for some time served as (irand Seeretary/'^ Jonathan J5ayard Smith, tlie Grand Master of Pennsylvania, was one of Philadelphia's prominent citizens. During the IJevolutionary period he was an ardent patriot; he was among the earliest of those who espoused the cause of independence. In 1775 he was cliosen secretary of the Committee of Safety, and in Fehruary, 1777, he was elected by the as- sembly a delegate to the Continental Congress. He was a second time chosen to this post, serving in the congresses of 1777-8. Prom Ai)ril 4, 1777, till Nov. 1.3, 1778, he was prothonotary of the court of Com- mon Pleas. On December 1, 1777, he presided at the public meeting, in Philadelphia, of " Keal Whigs," by whom it was resolved " That it be recommended to the council of safety that in this great emergency . . . every person between the age of sixteen and fifty years be ordered out under arms." During this year he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of a battalion of " Associators." In 1778 he was appointed a justice of the court of Common Pleas, Quarter Sessions, and Orphans' 61 Cf. "Old Masonic Lodges of Peunsylvunia," Vol. I, p. 201. 76 B. FEB. 21, 1742; D. JUNE 16, 1812. GRAND MASTER OF MASONS IN PENNSYLVANIA, 1789-1794. Mttb tbe (5ran^ Xoboe of pennei^lvania Court, which post he held for many years. He was appointed in 1781, one of the auditors of the accounts of Pennsylvania troops in the service of the United States. In 1792, and subsequently, he was chosen an alderman of the city, which was an office of great dignity in his day, and in 1794 he was elected auditor-general of Pennsylvania. Brother Jonathan B. Smith was an active mem- ber of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. He was the Senior Grand Warden in 1786, at the time when the Provincial Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania: ^^ Re- solved^ that the Grand Lodge is, and ought to be perfectly independent and free of any such foreign jurisdiction."^^ In the two following years he was appointed Deputy Grand Master by Right Worshipful Grand Master William Adcock; he was elected Right Wor- shipful Grand Master in 1789 and served in that capacity for six years (1789-1794). In the year 1798 he was again elected to that honorable office, serving five more consecutive years (1798 to 1802), when he declined reelection. The following action was taken by the Grand Lodge :^^ "On Motion made and Seconded the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania impressed with a grateful sense of the long assiduous and highly useful labours of their late R. W. Grand Master, Bro"" Jonathan 52 Cf. Reprint of Minutes of Grand Lodge, Vol. I, p. 96 et seq. 53 Ibid., Vol. II, p. 68. 77 noasonic Corrcspon&ence of Maebtngton Bayard Smith, Esq'", previous to and during his service in the high Station which he has left, Re- solved Unanimously, That the most respectful Thanks of the said G. Lodge be presented to their said Brother Jonathan Bayard Smith for the emi- nent services he has rendered to the Craft generally and more especially for the able, diligent and im- partial manner in which he has discharged the Duties of the Chair and while they deplore the necessity of his now retiring from the Official Station amongst them which he has so Honourably filled, they hope for a continuance of his Brotherly Love, Aid and information and finally that he be requested to re- ceive the best wishes of the Grand Lodge for a pro- longation of his useful life, a coimnensurate enjoy- ment of his Health and his final Happiness in the Mansion of Everlasting Rest." Brother Joseph Few, Deputy Grand Master, was also a Revolutionary Soldier, having served as Regi- mental Quarter Master with the 4th Continental Artillery. Brother Thomas Procter, Senior Grand Warden, formerly Colonel of the Pennsylvania Artillery, and Warrant Master of the Military Lodge, No. 19, upon the Roster of Pennsylvania was prominent in both civil and political affairs during Washington's administration. A full account of Brother Thomas Procter and this Military Lodge will be found in 78 1KIla6btngton'6 past flDaster'e 3ewel the History of the Old Masonic Lodges of Pennsyl- vania, pubhshed by the Grand Lodge in 1913.^^ For a sketch of Brother Peter Le Barbier Duples- sis, the reader is referred to the same volume. ^^ 64 Volume II, Chapter XXVI, pp. l_36. Cf. also "Freemasonry in Pennsylvania," Vol. I and II, for various references to Col. Procter. 55 Cf. " Old Lodges," Vol. II, pp. 256 et seq. Washington's Past Master's Jewel. Replica in the Museum of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. 79 X Correspondence with Grand Lodge of Massa- chusetts, December, 1792. Grand Lodge held at Concert Hall, Bos- ton, 10th of December, 5792, being a Quarterly Communication it was ^'Resolved, That the Grand Master, with the Grand Wardens, present to our Most Be- loved Brother George Washington, the new Book of Constitutions, with a suitable address. At the next Quarterly Communication we find that, "Agreeably to a resolve at the last Quarterly Communication, the Grand Master, with his War- dens, reported: " That they had written to our beloved President and Brother, George Washington, and presented 80 Mitb tbe (BranD %o^qc of pennsi^lvanta him with a Book of Constitutions, to which letter he had been pleased to make answer. The letter and answer were read, and Voted to be inserted in the records of the Grand Lodge." This address was evidently sent to President Washington at Philadelphia, and was answered from the presidential office in that city. No date nor place appears upon either the original so far as known, nor the copy in the letter book, both address and reply therein being in the handwriting of Bar- tholomew Dandridge, Secretary to the President. The following copy of both address and reply are taken from Letter Book II, folio 106-108. " An Address of the Grand Lodge of Free & *' Accepted Masons for the Commonwealth " of Massachusetts, To their honored and "Illustrious Brother. GEORGE WASHINGTON. *' Whilst the Historian is describing the "career of your glory, and the inhabitants "of an extensive Empire are made happy "in your unexampled exertions: — whilst some " celebrate the Hero so distinguished in li- " berating United America; and others the Patriot "who presides over her Councils, a Band of bro- "thers, having always joined the acclamations "of their countrymen, now testify their res- 7 81 nDaeonic Correspondence of Masbtngton "pect for those milder virtues which have " ever graced the man. "Taught by the precepts of our Society; "that all its members stand upon a level, we "venture to assume this station & to approach "you with that freedom which diminishes "our diffidence without lessening our respect. "Desirous to enlarge the boundaries of " social happiness, and to vindicate the cere- " monies of their institution, this Grand Lodge "have published a "Book of Constitutions," (and " a copy for your acceptance accompanies "this) which by discovering the principles that "actuate will speak the Eulogy of the Society; "though they fervently wish the conduct of its; " Members may prove its higher commendation. " Convinced of his attachment to its " cause, and readiness to encourage its bene- "volent designs; they have taken the liberty to "dedicate this work to one, the qualities of "whose heart and the actions of whose life " have contributed to improve personal virtue, " and extend throughout the world, the most endear- "ing cordialities; and they humbly hope he will "pardon this freedom, and accept the tribute of "their esteem & homage. "May the supreme architect of the uni- " verse protect & bless you, give you length of " days & increase of Felicity in this world, and then 82 Mitb tbe (Brant) OLo^gc of fiDaseacbusetts " receive you to the harmonious & exalted So- "ciety in Heaven. — "John Cutlek, Grand Master "JosiAH Baktlett] ^ „^ _ cc^M- T.-- r Grd Wardens. MuNGO MacheyJ " Boston "Decern. 27, A.D. 1792." The following reply was sent by President Washington from Philadelphia to the Brethren of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. It will be noticed that there was no date or place mentioned upon the copy in the Letter Book, nor on the orig- inal letter, which at present is believed to be in the Library of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. Washington's Reply " To THE Grand Lodge of Free & accepted Ma- "SONS, FOR THE COMMONWEALTH OF MaSSACHU- " SETTS. " Flattering as it may be to the human "mind, & truly honorable as it is to receive "from our fellow citizens testimonies of appro- "bation for exertions to promote the public wel- "fare, it is not less pleasing to know, that the "milder virtues of the heart are highly respected "by a Society whose liberal principles must be " founded in the immutable laws of truth and "justice. — 83 ^O //i<~ Vv-^a-^^ tfCo'^/>i^ ^/.^^4^ZXJt_. S'^-tx c^a_«Vk-^>-«> ^/^ *«- i^ ^ _ _ • - . _ ^ i^ ^X • — ^: / Washington's Eeplt to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. Letter Book II, Folio 108. Mttb tbe (5ran^ Xo^ge of noaseacbuectts "To enlarge the sphere of social happi- "ness is worthy the benevolent design of a ma- " sonic institution; and it is most fervently to " be wished, that the conduct of every member "of the fraternity, as well as those publications "that discover the principles which actuate them; "may tend to convince mankind that the grand "object of Masonry is to promote the happiness "of the human race. " While I beg your acceptance of "my thanks for the "Book of Constitutions" which "you have sent me, & the honor you have done "me in the dedication, permit me to assure you " that I feel all those emotions of gratitude "which your affectionate address & cordial "wishes are calculated to inspire; and I " sincerely pray that the Great Architect " of the Universe may bless you here, and " receive you hereafter into his immortal " Temple. :N'o fac-simile copy of the original letter was ob- tainable for the Collection of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. 85 XI Correspondence with Grand Lodge of Pennsyl- vania, December, 1796. EPTEMBER 18, 1796, President Wash- ington issued his farewell address. His second term was drawing to a close; the term had been a more or less exciting one: The passing of the Neutrality Act; Genet's appeal from the executive to the people; the Fugi- tive Slave Act; the whiskey insurrection in western Pennsylvania; the adoption of the Eleventh amend- ment; the purchase of peace from Algiers, Tripoli and Tunis; the troubles with Great Britain about the non-delivery of the military posts and later the Jay Treaty, all came within President Washing- ton's second and last term/'^^ During these troublous times Washington had no stauncher supporters than his Masonic Brethren of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. Further, that Washington kept more or less in touch with ssa Cf. The Religious and Social Conditions of Philadelphia, under the Federal Constitution, 1790-1800, Julius F. Sachse, Philadelphia, 1900. 86 IKIlttb tbc (5ran^ Xo^oc of penne^^lvanta his Masonic Brethren of the Grand Lodge of Penn- sylvania is shown by the fact that he attended the services at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, on Third Street below Walnut, on St. John's Day, December 27, 1793, where a charity sermon was preached by Rev. Brother Samuel Magaw, D.D., Vice-Provost of the University of Pennsylvania, before the Grand and Subordinate Lodges for the purpose of increas- ing the relief fund, for the widows and orphans of the yellow fever epidemic which ravaged the capital city during the past summer.^° When the Brethren found that Washington positively declined reelection in 1796, and that John Adams was elected to succeed him on the fourth of March following, the Brethren of the Grand Lodge at their Quarterly Communication, December 5, 1796, determined that it would be right and proper to present him with an address before his retirement from office, whereupon, it was resolved: "On Motion and seconded, that a Committee be appointed to frame an Address to be presented on the ensuing Feast of S' John, Decem"" 27th, to the Great Master Workman, our Illustrious Br. Washington, on the occasion of his intended retirement from Public Labor, to be also laid before the said Grand Lodge on St John's Day, and the R' W. Grand Master, Deputy G. M. B" Sadler, Milnor and Williams, were accordingly appointed." 50 Cf. " Freemasonry in Pennsylvania," before quoted, Vol. II, pp. 190-197; original copy in archives of Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. 87 flDaeonic Correepon^encc of Maebin^ton At a Grand Lodge held on St. John's Day, Phila- delphia, December 27, 5796, "The Committee ap- pointed to prepare an Address to our Brother George Washington, President of the United States, presented an Address by them drawn up, which was ordered to be read, and was in the words following, to wit: "To George Washington President of the L- United States. "The Address of the Grand Lodge of Pennsyl- " vania. ''Most Respected Sir and Brother, " Having announced your intention to retire from ^'Public Labour to that Befresliment to which your "preeminent Services for near Half a Century have "so justly entitled you. Permit the Grand Lodge " of Pennsylvania at this last Feast of our Evangelic " Master St. John, on which we can hope for an im- " mediate Communication with you to join the grate- "ful Voice of our Country in Acknowledging that " you have carried forth the Principles of the Lodge "into every Walk of your Life, by your constant "Labours for the Prosperity of that Country, by "your unremitting Endeavours to promote Order, "Union and Brotherly Affection amongst us, and "lastly by the Vows of your Farewell Address to "your Brethren and Fellow Citizens. An Address "which we trust Our Children and Our Childrens 88 REV. BRO. WILLIAM SMITH, D. D. B. ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND, 1727. D. PHILADELPHIA, MAY 14, 1803. GRAND CHAPLAIN "MODERNS," 1755. GRAND SECRETARY "aNCIENTS," 1779-1784. WHO PRESENTED THE PENNSYLVANIA ADDRESSES TO BRO. WASHINGTON, 1792-1796. Mttb tbe (Brant) XoOge of Pennsylvania " Children will ever look upon as a most invaluable " Legacy from a Friend a Benefactor and a Father. "To these our grateful Acknowledgments (leav- "ing to the impartial Pen of History to record the " important Events in which you have borne so illus- "trious a part) permit us to add our most fervent "prayers, that after enjoying to the utmost of "Human Life, every Felicity which the Terrestial "Lodge can afford, you may be received by the "great Master Builder of this World and of Worlds " unnumbered, into the Ample Felicity of that Celes- " tial Lodge in which alone distinguished Virtues and "distinguished Labours can be eternally rewarded. "By unanimous order of the Grand Lodffe of " Pennsylvania at their communication held the 27'" "Day of December Anno Domini 5796. ^.. It was then moved and seconded that the same be adopted. Upon the question being taken it ap- peared that it was approved of. On motion and seconded, it was agreed that a committee be appointed to wait on Brother Washington to acquaint him that it is the intention of this Grand Lodge to pre- sent an address to him, and to know what time he 89 fiDasonic Corre0pon^ence of Masbington shall be pleased to appoint to receive it. The com- mittee appointed to perform this duty were Brothers William Smith, Peter Le Barbier Duplessis and Thomas Procter, who, after having waited on him, reported that he had appointed to-morrow, December 28, 1796, at twelve o'clock to receive it. Said com- mittee, to wit. Brothers W. Smith, Duplessis and Procter, together with Right Worshipful Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, and Junior War- dens, Grand Secretary and the Masters of the differ- ent Lodges in the City, were then appointed a Depu- tation to present the said Address. This deputation consisted of Right Worshipful Grand Master William Moore Smith, Gavin Hamil- ton, Deputy Grand Master, Thomas Town, Senior Grand Warden, Thomas Armstrong, Esq^, Junior Grand Warden, George A. Baker, Grand Secretary, John McElwee, Grand Treasurer, and the following Masters of the Philadelphia Lodges, viz. : David Ir- win, No. 2, Israel Israel, No. 3, Andrew Nilson No. 9, Eleaser Oswald, No. 19, Cadawalder Griffith, No. 52, Richard E. Cusack, No. 59, Thomas Bradley, No. 67, Wilham Nelson, No. 71; together with the appointed Committee, Brothers William Smith D.D., Le Barbier Duplessis and Thomas Procter. President Washington received the august depu- tation of the Brethren at the appointed time; the address was read before him by the Rev. Brother William Smith, D.D., whereupon he returned them 90 Mttb tbe (5ran^ XoDae ot jpennsi^lvanta -^^^^ 'y^^tX^l^y^? ^rTfC^pjZ^ ayt^ ^C.^^\/Py^^y^2^jt^t./^UC/x) Fac-simile of Washington's Reply to Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, December, 1796. Original in Archives of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. 91 flDasonic Corrcepon^encc of Maebtnoton a repty. This docimient, still in the Library of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, is entirely in the handwriting of Washington and signed by him, viz.: "Fellow-citizens and Brothers, ^_ " OF the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. "I have received your address *' with all the feelings of brotherly affection, "mingled with those sentiments, for the " Society, which it was calculated to excite. " To have been, in any degree, an " instrument in the hands of Providence, " to promote order and union, and erect upon "a solid foundation the true principles of "government, is only to have shared with "many others in a labour, the result of " which let us hope, will prove through " all ages, a sanctuary for brothers and "a lodge for the virtues, — " Permit me to reciprocate your "prayers for my temporal happiness, "and to supplicate that we may all "meet thereafter in that eternal temple, "whose builder is the great architect "of the Universe." > TOitb tbe (BranD %ot>Qc of penne^lvania Brother William Moore Smith, Right Worshipful Grand Master of Pennsylvania, whose first official act as Grand Master was to head the committee to call on the President, was a son of the Rev. William Smith, D.D., born in Philadeli3hia, June 1, 1759. He was a lawyer by profession and served as Deputy Grand Master for the year 1795 under the Vener- able William Ball, and as Right Worshipful Grand blaster for the years 1796-1797. He was appointed by the President as agent for the settlement of claims that were provided for in the Sixth Article of John Jay's Treaty, and visited England in 1803 to close the commission. He died at the Smith Homestead at Falls of Schuylkill, March 12, 1821. Both the address and reply were copied in Wash- ington's Letter Book III, pp. 244-245, in the handwriting of one of his secretaries, G. W. Craik, a son of Dr. James Craik, Washington's "compa- triot in arms, and old and intimate friend," who at- tended him during his last illness. Photostat copies of above are in the Library of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, also the original draft of the address, presented to the President (Mss. Volume A, folio 23). This autograph Masonic letter from Washington to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania has been re- produced in fac-simile, published and circulated (in most cases without the knowledge or consent of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania) more widely than 93 flDasonic Corre0pont)ence of "TOaebtngton any other known letter of Washington. Some of these copies are treasured by their owners under the impression that they have the original letter. Sev- eral cases of this kind have of late come under the notice of the writer. In one case where one of these reproductions was offered for sale, hundreds of dol- lars were asked for the reproduction, and it was with great difficulty that the owner could be con- vinced of its character. Another use made of this letter by unprincipled persons was to make a photo-lithographic copy of the letter, and substitute the name of another state for that of Pennsylvania, and then palm it off upon the authorities of that state as an original letter to their Grand Lodge. The latest case of this kind loiown to the writer is that of the Grand Lodge of Georgia, who were thus imposed upon. Then again the letter has been extensively used for advertising purposes by publishing houses of Masonic literature. The letter has also been printed in most all books bearing upon Masonic history during the revolu- tionary period. It was also frequently quoted and criticised dur- ing the Anti-Masonic craze which swept over the country some eighty-odd years ago, it being the chief Masonic letter of the five known to the leaders of those misguided persons. The main point of their argument was that it bore no date and therefore was not authentic. 94 XII Correspondence with Alexandria Lodge, No. 22, Virginia. ^^ rW PON pages 244 and 245 of Washington's M rj folio Letter Book No. Ill in the Library ^^^^M of Congress are recorded a letter and address to Washington from the Master of Alexandria Lodge, No. 22, of Virginia, together with Washington's reply. Washington and his family had left Philadelphia, Thursday, March 9, 1797, for Mount Vernon, and arrived at Baltimore, Sunday, March 12, and at Mount Vernon, March 15, where he again settled down to the life of a private gentleman, free from the cares and concerns of public life. March 28, 1797, he was waited on at Mount Ver- non by Brothers Dennis Ramsay and Phillip G. Marsteller, and presented with the following letter and address from James Gillies, the Master of Alex- andria Lodge, No. 22, of Virginia, viz.: 95 fiDaeontc Correspon^ence o! Masbtnaton "Alex^ March 28^ 5797. "Most respected Brother, "Brother Ramsay & Marsteller wait upon you " with a copy of an address which has been prepared " by the unanimous desire of the Ancient York Ma- "sons of Lodge No. 22. It is their earnest request "that you will partake of a Dinner with them and "that you will please appoint the time most conve- "nient for you to attend. — " I am most beloved Brother, "YourMo. Ob^H^'^Serv* " James Gillies, M, " Gen' Geo Washington." The letter was an invitation to dine with the Lodge. This Washington accepted. ''Most respected Brother, " The ancient York Masons of Lodge No. 22 offer "you their warmest congratulations on your retire- "ment from your useful labors. Under the su- "preme architect of the Universe you have been the "Master Workman in erecting the Temple of Lib- " erty in the west, on the broad basis of equal rights. "In your wise administration of the government of " the United States for the space of eight years, you " have kept within the compass of our happy Consti- "tution and acted on the square with foreign Na- "tions and thereby preserved your country in peace " and promoted the prosperity and happiness of your 96 Mitb Hlexan^rta %otfQC, IRo. 22 " fellow Citizens, and now that you have retired from "the labours of public life to the refreshment of "domestic tranquility, they ardently pray that you "may long enjoy all the happiness which the Terres- " tial Lodge can afford and finally be removed to that "celestial Lodge where Love, Peace and Harmony " for ever reign and where cherubims and seraphims " shall hail you Brother. — " By the unanimous desire of Lodge "No. 22 "James Gillies, blaster/* " Gen Geo Washington." Washington attended the meeting of his Lodge at Alexandria, on Saturday, April 1, 1797, when his reply to Brother Gillies' address was read in open Lodge, viz.: "Beothers of the Ancient York Masons of Lodge No. 22. "While my heart acknowledges with Brotherly "Love, your affectionate congratulations on my re- "tirement from the arduous toils of past years, my " gratitude is no less excited by your kind wishes for " my future happiness. — "If it has pleased the supreme architect of the " universe to make me an humble instrument to pro- "mote the welfare and happiness of my fellow men, "my exertions have been abundantly recompensed 8 97 fiDasontc Correspondence of Maeblnoton .^kV li s I ^ ^ 1 > ^ 98 ^I^/Uf^icc^^ ^/24^^t^^ /^l^^ /7^/vu/ /yirtt //*^v /U^^ ^^^mu% /^O ^//^^y^ ►/•/*<'/ 1» cue) J^^^^J^ ^U^t^ mi. ^iJ'xJu.U^r CUt^ fwi^/pMij/lf if/ tj<»li^ .'ji^ftiu^ Fac-simile of Address from Alexandria Lodge, No. 22, to Washington, March, 1797. Letter Book II, Fouo 294-295. flOagontc Corregpon^encc of Maebtngton 1/?'a/ffij J^ '•^'^a t<^ A-f^ yHn^^fiHcU^ (yf- /?2t^ z^^/^/uv /^?Tje^ (0'>iu/' t>K4/!^yfnJ /ra AZ4< cO ^Uj*j^*f**eju /l/f^tncM^ /Thx. fi/ f^(Li*o /Ut/d/r 7^}^ ,^aQc ot flDaeeacbusetts "The East J the West and the South, of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Com- monwealth of Massachusetts. To Their Most Worthy George Washington." "Wishing ever to be foremost in testimonials of respect and admiration for those virtues and services with which you have so long adorned and benefited our common country; and not the last nor least, to regret the cessation of them, in the public councils of the Union; your Brethren of the Grand Lodge embrace the earliest opportunitj" of greeting you in the calm retirement you have contemplated to yom-- self. Though as citizens they lose you in the active labors of political life, they hope, as Masons, to find you in the pleasing sphere of Fraternal engagement. " From the cares of state and the fatigues of pub- lic business our institution opens a recess affording all the relief of tranquility, the harmony of peace and the refresliment of pleasure. Of these may you par- take in all their purity and satisfaction; and we will assure ourselves that your attachment to this social plan will increase; and that under the auspices of your encouragement, assistance and patronage, the Craft will attain its highest ornament, perfection and praise. And it is our ardent prayer, that when your light shall be no more visible in this earthly temple, you may be raised to the All Perfect Lodge above; be seated on the right of the Supreme Architect of the Universe, and there receive the refresliment your labors merited. 103 fiDasontc CorresponDencc ot MasbttiGton " In behalf of the Grand Lodge, we subscribe our- selves with the highest esteem, "Your affectionate Brethren, "Paul Revere, Grand Master, "Isaiah Thomas, S. Grarid Warden. " Joseph Laughton, J. Grand Warden. "Daniel Oliver, Grand Secretary, "Boston, 21st March, 5797." For some unaccountable reason the delivery of the address was delayed and not received at Mount Vernon until late in April. The original draft of Washington's reply to the Grand Lodge of Massa- chusetts in his own handwriting and signature as well as an autograph note of apology for the seeming delay to Grand Master Paul Revere and his officers dated Mount Vernon, April 24, 1797, are in the Manuscript Department in the Library of Con- gress, viz.: "To Paul Revere Grand Master, Isaiah " Thomas Senior Grand Warden and "Joseph Laughton Jun^ Grand Warden. '' Brothers, "I am sorry that the en- " closed answer to the affectionate address "of the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and "Accepted Masons, of the Commonwealth " of Massachusetts transmitted under your 104 1735-1818. GRAND MASTER OF MASONS IN MASSACHUSETTS, 1797. 5^^^^f^.u»^ c^£^^U,cK^ -^hG^-?^ ^^-^i^^a^K, ^-^v:? ^^^tn^^U^t^ i cnafi^^^ '^h.fl^-^pS^ ^-.a^pjZ^ cr;2^/^2y;K.^^.<...iZ.^:Xji^ , ^^^^^"B-^JZ. <=x-^^-5 ii^^jy^x^ Gci'-^^c^j:^ J^,^?t-cxo ^;^..<^/^y'.^:^ ^oc^ C^h^e/Z^ /^^J^jC^ Fac-simile of Autograph Letter from Washington to Paul Revere AKD THE Officers of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, April 24, 1797. 105 /S?^r^^ ay^^^j ^'-rZ-ACL.^ C^y-P^ ^:^^^7h-^^ JO'i:i-^co->^ (Xyy . I jjt t ?- ^ ",'»*:3^" -z^t- . irC^a-t-'i^SSvi-^-J ^-^'j.i^Tf ';-;--<-,»■% • .,-^- €4fA*'t>v^ ■ tZf^ •W-A-a*-,?'-- ' v" i' FAC-SIMILE (REDUCED) OF THE ORIGINAL DRAFT OF WASHINGTON'S ijt-Ct./- / -^- '"^.. ^'/•'" • "y^ .-^'^ LETTER TO THE GRAND LODGE OF MARYLAND.-ELKTON, md., nov. 8, i: Mttb tbe 6ran^ OLo^ge of nDar^lan^ spectfully affectionate Brethren and most humble servants. " Signed, Wm. Belton, R.. W..G..M.. "Peter Little, Grand Secretary, "Baltimore, November 5th, 1798." To this address Washington sent a reply, the original draft of which is in the Library of Congress, written upon two pages of a letter sheet, and differs somewhat from the final copy sent to the Grand Lodge from Elkton, where Washington spent the next day. It will be recalled that but two weeks had elapsed since he wrote his last letter to Dominie Snyder of Fredericktown, and this fact was evi- dently in his mind when he wrote this letter to the JNIaryland Brethren. Upon second thought he eliminated the lines bear- ing upon the insinuations in Snyder's letter. Fol- lowing is a copy of the letter as originally written, viz. : " To THE Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free "^Iasons for the State of Maryland. "Gentlemen § Brothers, "Your obliging & affectionate " letter, together with a copy of the Constitutions of " JMasonry has been put into my hands by "your Grand Master; for which I praj'' you to " accept my best thanks. — 9 113 flDasonic Corre0pont)ence of Masbington " So far as I am "acquainted with the principles & Doctrines of " Free JSIasonry, I conceive it to be founded " in benevolence and to be exercised only " for the good of mankind. If it has been a ''Cloak to promote improper or nefarious "objects, it is a melancliolly proof that ''in unworthy hands, the best institutions " may be made use of to promote the worst " designs. — "While I offer my grateful "acknowledgements for your congratulations on my " late appointments, and for the favorable sentiments " you are pleased to express of my conduct, permit " me to observe, that at this important & "critical moment, when repeated and "high indignities have been offered to this " govermnent your country and the rights & property " of our Citizens plundered without a prospect of "redress, I conceive it to be the indispensable " duty of every American, let his situation & cir " cumstances in life be what they may, to come " forward in support of the govermnent of his country " and to give all the aid in his power toward "maintaining that independence which we have "so dearly purchased; and under this impression, " I did not hesitate to lay aside all personal " considerations and accept mj'- appointment. " I pray you to be assured that I ap- 114 Mltb 6ran^ Xot)ge of fiDar^^lanD "predate, with sincerity your kind wishes for "my health & happiness. "I am GentP & brothers "very respectfully "Yr most oV serv\'* Before this letter was sent, the five words on the tenth line and the whole of next five lines were eliminated; there was also a slight change made in the last paragraph on the second page. Following is a copy of the letter as received by the Grand Lodge of Maryland. The original letter was in the possession of the Grand Lodge of Mary- land, as late as 1833, but it has since disappeared.^^ "To THE Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free Masons for the State of Maryland. '^ Gentlemen and Brothers: "Your obliging and affectionate letter, together with a copy of the Constitution of Masonry, has been put into my hands by your Grand Master, for which I pray you to accept my best thanks. So far as I am acquainted with the principles and doctrines of Freemasonry, I conceive them to be founded on benevolence, and to be exercised for the good of 6» Ibid., p. 266. 115 flDaeontc CorreeponDence ot Maebington mankind; I cannot, therefore, upon this ground withdraw my approbation from it. "While I offer my grateful acknowledgements for your congratulations on my late appointment, and for the favorable sentiments you are pleased to express of my conduct, permit me to observe, that, at this important and critical moment, when high and repeated indignities have been offered to the Govermnent of our country, and when the property of our citizens is plundered without a prospect of redress, I conceive it to be the indispensable duty of every American, let his station and circumstances in life be what they may, to come forward in support of the Government of his choice and to give all the aid in his power towards maintaining that independ- ence which we have so dearly purchased; and imder this impression, I did not hesitate to lay aside all personal considerations and accept my appointment. I pray you to be assured that I receive with grati- tude your kind wishes for my health and happiness and reciprocate them with sincerity. "I am. Gentlemen and Brothers, "Very Respectfully, "Your most Ob't Servant, "Elkton, November 8th, 1798." 116 XV Correspondence with G. W. Snyder, 1798. AS to the correspondence with one G. W. Snyder (Schneider), who represented himself as a preacher of the Reformed Church of Fredericktown, Maryland, our late Brother James M. Lamberton, in his ad- dress before the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, at the celebration of the " Sesqui- centennial Aniversary of the initiation of Brother George Washington into the Fraternity of Free- masons," held in the Masonic Temple, in the City of Philadelphia on Wednesday, November the fifth, A. D. 1902, states :^^ "It is well known that during the French Revo- lution religion was dethroned, and reason installed in the place of Deity. The spreading of such doc- trines was by many ascribed to the ' Illuminati,' who were supposed to be Masons. During this period 60 " Memorial Volume, Washington Sesqui-centennial Anniversary," Philadelphia, 1902, p. 165. 117 fiDasontc Corre0pont)ence ot Masbington clubs like the Jacobin Clubs in France were formed in this country, and the spread of these doctrines was greatly feared, especially by the clergy, and in 1798 one of them, one G. W. Snyder, of Frederick- town, Maryland, wrote to Washington sending at the same time a book entitled 'Proofs of a Con- spiracy,' etc., by John Robison,^^ the conspiracy being 'to overturn all government and all religion."*^^ This letter, sent to Washington at Mount Vernon covered no less than six pages; following is a ver- batim copy of the original now in the Library of Congress. "To His Excellency George Washington. " Sir, — You will, I hope, not think it a Pre | sump- tion in a Stranger, whose Name, | perhaps never reached your Ears, to ad | dress himself to you, the Commanding | General of a great Nation. I am a | German, born and liberally educated | in the city of Heydelberg, in the Pa | latinate of the Rhine. I came to this [ Country in 1776, and felt soon after my I arrival, a close Attachment to the | Liberty for which these confederated | States then struggled. The same attachment | still remains not glowing, but 61 " proofs I of a I CONSPIRACY | against all the | RELIGIONS and GOVERNMENTS | of | EUROPE | carried on | in the secret meet- ings I of 1 FREE MASONS, ILLUMINATI, | and | READING SOCIE- TIES, I " collected from Good Authorities | by | JOHN ROBISON, A. M. I —EDINBURGH, | 1797. | 62 The original letter of August 22, 1798, is among the Washington papers in the Library of Congress; a photostat of same is in the Archives of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. 118 Mitb (5. M. Sn^t)er U/^ yt'^xy Fac-simile of First Page of Lettee from G. W. Snyder to Washing- ton, August 22, 1798. 119 fiDasonic CorrcsponDencc of Masbinoton burning in | my Breast. At the same Time that I am I exulting in the Measures adopted by our | Gov- ernment, I feel myself elevated in | the Idea of my adopted Country, I am | attached, both from the Bent of Educa | tion and mature Enquiry and Search | to the simple Doctrines of Christianity, | which I have the Honor to teach in | Public ; and I do heartily Despise all the | Cavils of Infidelity. Our present Time | pregnant with the most shocking Events | and Calamities, threatens Ruin to | our Lib- erty and Government. | The most secret Plans are in Agitation; | Plans calculated to ensnare the Un- wary, I to attract the Gay irreligious, and to | en- tice even the Well-Disposed to combine in | the gen- eral Machine for overturning all | Government and all Religion. " It was some Time since that a Book | fell into my hands, entitled ' Proofs of | a Conspirac5^ &c. by John Robison,' which | gives a full Account of a Society of Free | Masons, that distinguishes itself by the I name of ' Illuminati,' whose Plan is to over | throw all Government and all Religion, even | nat- ural ; and who endeavor to eradicate | every Idea of a Supreme Being, and distin | guish Man from Beast by his shape only. | A Thought suggested itself to me, that some | of the Lodges in the United States might I have caught the Infection, and might co- oper I ate with the Illuminati or the Jacobin Club | in France. Fauchet is mentioned by Robinson | as a zealous INIember ; and who can doubt | Genet and 120 Mttb 0, M. Sn^Der C^-T-T izy^^^f*^ ^^^f-^^7%5 /^hH^A^ Urtoy^'t^ Fac-simiue of Fourth Page of Letter froji G. \V. Snyder to Washikg- TON, August 22, 1798. 121 fiDaaontc Correspondence of Masbtnoton Adet? Have not these their con | fidants in this country? They use the same | Expressions, and are generally Men of no | Religion. Upon serious Re- flection I was led | to think that it might be within your I Power to prevent the horrid Plan from | cor- rupting the Brethren of the English Lodges | over which you preside. " I send you the * Proof of a Conspiracy,' &c. ] which I doubt not, will give you Satis | faction, and afford you matter for a | Train of ideas, that may operate to our | national Felicity. If, however, you have I already perused the Book, it will not, 1 1 trust, be disagreeable to you that I [ have presumed to ad- dress you with this | Letter and the Book accompany- ing it. I It proceeded from the Sincerity of my | Heart, and my ardent Wishes for the | common Good. " May the Supreme Ruler of all [ Things continue You long with us in | these perilous Times : may he endow you | with Strength and Wisdom to save our | Country in the threating Storms and | gathering Clouds of Factions and Com | motions ! and after you have completed | his Work, on this terrene Spot, may He | bring you to the full Possession of the \ glorious Liberty of the Children of God, | is the hearty and most sincere Wish of " Your Excellency's | very humble and | "devoted Servant, "G. W. Snyder. " Fredericktown, (Maryland) Aug. 22, 1798. "His Excellency General George Washington." 122 ..4^9LA^ f^ % ^ ^ii^Stt.^jyt ..-^ M <> ^ AJm^rikjL^ FAC-SIMILE OF PRESS COPY OF WASHINGTON'S ^"!l^ ANSWER TO REV. G. W. SNYDER.-september 25, i798. (5. M. Sn5^er (Scbnei^cr) This man Snyder (Sclineider) was an agitator and thoroughly irresponsible person, having no ecclesi- astical connection with any organized Church Body. In the year 1787, Schneider came from Albany, 'New York, to Frederick, ostensibly to collect money to build a Church. He was kindly received and per- mitted to preach in the Reformed Congregation, where he soon fomented discord and trouble. Schneider was soon driven out of Frederick Town, but returned again in 1794, when he renewed the trouble in the Church, which ended in a schism. The matter finally got into the Civil Court, and on Feb- ruary 15, 1800 the case was decided against him, which ended his activity in Frederick Town; soon after which he left for parts unknown.^^^ Snyder, who was not a native of this country, evi- dently labored under the impression that Washing- ton was a Grand JNIaster General, who presided over all of the English (or Symbolic) Masonic Lodges in the United States. Snyder evidently used the term "English" Lodges, to distinguish them from the Masonic bodies working in the so-called higher (Scotch) degrees, as are now known as the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. How important Washington considered this cor- respondence is shown by his precaution in taking a press copy of both of his letters to Snyder, who he 62a Cf. Historical sketch of the Evangelical Reformed Church of Frederick, Maryland, 1904, pp. 22-25, 123 fiDasonic Correspondence ot Maebinoton was led to believe was the regular pastor of the Ger- man Reformed Congregation at Fredericktown. These are now in the Library of Congress. It will be noted that in all of his other Masonic correspond- ence, copies were made in his regular letter books by his clerks, of both address and reply. Brother Washington evidently surmised that this letter from Snyder was nothing more or less than a scheme to entrap him. It was not until a month had elapsed, and then only after due consideration, that the fol- lowing reply was sent to Fredericktown, viz. : "Mount Vernon, 25'^ Sept. 1798. ''Sir, "Many apologies are "due to you, for my not acknowledging "the receipt of your obliging favour of for " the 22^ ult, and /\ not thanking you, at "an earlier period for the Book you "had the goodness to send me. "I have heard much of the ne- "farious & dangerous plan, & doctrines " of the Illuminati, but never saw the "Book until you were pleased to send "it to me. The same causes which "have prevented my acknowledging the 'receipt of your letter, have prevented *my reading the Book, hitherto, name- 124 <^*. *^CkzjK,ryt^2j(. iAa/z/^r .•a.- 5^^ »«? £^y^ j^^A^^ •^^Zi:>. ^^^^A^4a0^L;g^ <9f^^y»^. ^^ ftk^ m^Zk^i^^^eJ^ ^srx^y^Lc^^^'^gx, a^ ^^C rf. i;{5-(). «o Cf. " Old Masonic Lodges of Pennsylvania," Vol. IT, Chapter LIII, pp. 2-t2-250. 138 Hmor— Ibonor— let 3u0ttca thing is shown by a medal struck in 1797, the obverse showing the bust of Washixgtox, with the legend, *'G. Washington President. 1797," the reverse showing many Masonic emblems,^ ^ with the legend "Amor. Honor. Et Justica G.W.G.G.M." {i. e., George Washington, General Grand Master) . The writer of the letters to Washington, Snyder, quoted at the beginning of this chapter, being of foreign birth, and not a member of the Masonic Fra- ternity, nor even living where a ]Masonic Lodge ex- isted, evidently labored under the same delusion as the Brethren at Cape Francois. The Masonic Correspondence of Washington as represented upon these pages, should settle for all time to come the question, as to the esteem in which Washington held the ]Masonic Fraternity, of which he was an honored Member. It is stated that there are still a large number of Washington papers in the Library of Congress, that are not accessible, as they have thus far not been classified or indexed. Thus it is in the possibilities that there may be still further documentary evidence found of Masonic import, in addition to such as are set forth upon these pages. 81 Specimen in Museum of Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. 139 JTie Jlrms ofy moft Ancient & Jlortonible, JFraternity of JFrce andyjiccepted Ma/bns. \ INDEX. Aberts Tavern, 101 Adam, Rev. John, 30 Adam, Robert, 29, 30 Adcock, William, 77 Alexander, Alexander, 58 Alexandria Lodge, No. 22, Ad- dress and Reply, 18; Letter and Address to Washington, 96; Washington's Reply, 97 Alexandria Lodge, No. 39, 17; Correspondence with, 28; Ad- dress to Washington, 29; Meets at Lamb Tavern, 33; Invites Washington to dine with them, 34 Allison, John, 29, 33 Anti-Masonic Craze, mention of, 8; Attack Washington's memory, 10; Certify to Records, 16 Armstrong, Thomas, 90 Bartlett, Josiah, 83, 102 Baker, George A., 90 Ball, William, 93 Belton, William, 111, 113 Blair, Judge, 42 Blyth, Joseph, 53 Bowen, Thomas B., 58 Bradley, Thomas, 90 Burk, Miss Fanny M., Copies, Portrait for Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, 36 Carson, J,, 53 Chapman, Samuel, 48, 49 Clark, Peleg, 15 Clinton, Governor, 42 Cohen, Abraham, 53 Corney, James, 48 Craik, George W., 2, 93 Craik, Dr. James, 93 Cutler, John, 83 Cusack, Richard E., 90 Dandridge, Bartholomew, 2, 75, 81 Drayton, William, 58 Duplessis, Peter le Barbier, 70; Autograph, 72, 79, 80 Dick, Elisah C, 29, 32; Conducts Masonic Services at Washing- ton's Funeral, 33 Dick, Archibald, 32 Edwards, Thomas, 102 Elliot, Robert, 15 Foster, Theo., 42 Franklin, Benjamin, mention of, 27 Freemasonry in Pennsylvania (Barratt and Sachse), Referred to, 16 Free Quaker Meeting House, 69 Few, Joseph, 70; mention of, 78 Fredericktown, Maryland, 117 141 fiDaeonic Corrcepon^ence of Maebtnoton Gates, Thomas, 58 Georgia Grand Lodge, Address and Reply, 7, 17; Fraudulent letter to, 94 Gist, Mordecai, 57, 58, 59; Sketch of, 64, 134 Gorman, Mr., of New Hampshire, 43 Gillies, James, 95, 96, 97 Grant, Reuben, 53 Greene, Mrs. Nathaniel, 66 GriflBth, Cadawalder, 90 Guion, Isaac, 48 49 Hayes, Moses Michael, mention of. Handy, John, 15 Hailing, Solomon, 48, 49 Hamilton, Gavin, 70, 90 Harris, Thaddeus M., 103 Hildreth, Ara, 38 Houston, George, 66 Hunt, Galliard, mention of, 6 Irwin, David, 90 Israel, Israel, 90 lUuminati, 117 Jackson, Major William, 2; Copies Address and Answer, 40 Jefferson, Thomas, 36, 43 Johnson, William, 48, 49 King David's Lodge, No. 1, New- port, R. I., Proposed Masonic Address to General Washington, 14; Extracts from Records, 15, 17; Correspondence with, 37; Sends Address to Washington, 38; Fac-simile of Washington's Reply, 41 Knox, Robert, 58 Lamberton, J. M., Address Wash- ington as a Freemason, 11; quoted, 117 Laughton, Joseph, 104 Lamb Tavern, Alexandria meeting place of Lodge, No. 39, 33 Lear, Tobias, 2, 75, 101 Letter Books in Library of Con- gress, 6 Littlefield, William, 37 Lowthorp, F., 48 Lodge No. 27, .on Pennsylvania Roster, 57, 59 Massachusetts Grand Lodge, Draft of Letter to, 7; Letter to, 8; Objects to Washington as Grand Master General, 16; Address and Reply, 18; Address to Washing- ton, 83; Reply, 85; Letter to Paul Revere, 104; Reply to Grand Lodge, 106; Refuses to nominate Washington as Grand Master General, 136 Maryland Grand Lodge, Draft of Letter to 7, 18; Address to Washington, 112; Washington Reply, 113; Original Draft of Reply, ib Masonic Aprons, 20 Masonic Portrait of Washington in Alexandria Lodge, 36 Mazyck, William C, 60 Mason, Benjamin, 70 Machey, Mungo, 83 Marsteller, Phillip G., 95, 96 Marshall, John, Chief Justice, 132 McElwee, John, 90 Meyers, Israel, 58 Miller, George, 58 Mitchell, John, 58 Newburgh, Washington in Camp at, 21 Nelson, William, 90 Nilson, Andrew, 90 Oliver, Daniel, 104 Oswald, Eleaser, 90 Pasteur, Edward, 48 142 inDex Pennsylvania Grand Lodge, Draft of Letter to, 7; Address and Reply, 18; Resolutions, 69; Ad- dress to Washington, 71; Wash- ington's Reply, 73; Address to Washington, 1796, 88; Address, 1797, 103; Nominated Washing- ton as Grand Master General, 133 Prince George's Lodge, No. 16, Georgetown, S. C, Address and Reply, 8, 17; Correspondence with, SI; Sketch of, ib.; Ad- dress to Washington, 52; Fac- simile, 54, 55; Washington's Reply, 56 Providence, R. I., Washington Arrives at, 42 Procter, Thomas, 70; Sketch of, 78, 90 Putnam, Herbert, mention of, 4 Ramsay, William, 29, 33 Ramsay, Dennis, 95, 96 Revere, Paul, 2; Letter from Washington, 8; Letter to, 18, 102, 104 Rehm, Dr. J. F., 50 Ritner, Governor, Vindication, 132 Robison, John, "Proofs of Con- spiracy," 118 Rush, Dr. Benjamin, 32 Seixas, Moses, 15, 37; Sketch of, 39 Shippen, Dr. William, 32 Sherburne, Henry, 37 Smith, Mr. of South Carolina, 42 Smith, Rev. William, D.D., Ser- mon by, 12; Masonic Sermons by, 13; Addresses the Brethren, 70; Drafts Address, 71, 73; Masonic Record, 76, 90; Writes to Grand Lodge, Massachusetts, 135 Smith, Jonathan Bayard, 70; Auto- graph, 72, 73; Sketch of, 76 Smith, William Moore, Autograph, 89, 90; Sketch of, 93 Snyder (Schneider), G. W., 3; Letter to Washington, 18, 113; Fac-simile of Letter, 119, 121; Sketch of, 123 South Carolina Grand Lodge, Draft of Letter to, 7, 17; Cor- respondence with, 57; Address to Washington, 59; Washing- ton's Reply, 59; Original Draft of Reply, 61; Fac-simile, 63, 63 Sparks, Jared, 9; Letter from, 10, 129 St. John's Lodge, No. 2, Newbern, N. C, Address and Reply, 8, 17; Correspondence with, 44; Resolution, 44; Address to Washington, 45; Fac-Simile, 46, 47 Town, Thomas, 90 Thomas, Isaiah, 104 Washington, George, Master of Lodge while President, 2; Masonic Bodies named after, 3; Full length Portrait in London, 4; Copies of all Masonic Letters, 5; Letter to Paul Revere, 7; Memory attacked by Anti- Masons, 10; At Newport, R. I., 1781, 14; At Providence, R. L, ib; Report on, 15; As Grand Master, 16; Replies to Snyder, 18; Receives Masonic Orna- ments from Watson & Cassoul, 20; Masonic Apron from Lafa- yette, 20; Reply to Watson & Cassoul, 21; In camp at New- burg, 21; Resigns his commis- sion at Annapolis, 28; Returns to Mount Vernon, ib; Address from Lodge No. 39, 29; Reply to Lodge No. 39, 30; Fac-simile, 31; Invites Washington to dine 143 UnDex with the Lodge, SI; Acceptance, 35; Accepts Honorary Member- ship, ib; Portrait of in Alex- andria Lodge, 36; Address from King David's Lodge, 38; Arrives at Newport, R. I., 42; Provi- dence, ib; Reply to King David's Lodge, ib; Starts on Southern Tour, 44; Reply to St. John's Lodge, 49; Arrives at George- town, S. C, 51 ; Washington's Reply to Prince George's Lodge, 56; Arrives at Charleston, S. C, 57; Receives Address from Grand Lodge of South Caro- lina, 58; Washington's Reply, 59; Calls on Mrs. Nathaniel Greene, 65; Receives Address from Grand Lodge, Georgia, 66 i Leaves Savannah, 68; Replies to Grand Lodge of Georgia, ib; Residence in Philadelphia, 69; Received Address from Grand Lodge, Pennsylvania, 71; Reply 73; Master's Jewel, 79; Address from Grand Lodge, Massa- chusetts, 81 ; Washington's Re- ply, 84; Farewell Address, 86; At Philadelphia, 87; Address from Grand Lodge, Pennsyl- vania, 88; Washington Receives Deputation, 90; Reply, 91; Letters counterfeited, 94; Ar- rives at Mount Vernon, 95; Letter & Address from Alex- andria Lodge, No. 22, 96; Reply, 97; Dines with Lodge No. 22, 101; Letter to Paul Revere, 104; Draft of Reply to Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, 106; Lieutenant General, 111; At Baltimore, ib; Draft of Reply to Grand Lodge of Maryland, 113; Reply, 115; Sesqui-Centen- nial Anniversary, 117; Letter and Book from G. W. Snyder, 118; Reply to Snyder's Letter of September 15, 1798, 123; Ex- planation of, 125; Member of Alexandria Lodge, 126; Lays Corner-stone of Capitol, 127; Masonic Record of, ib.; Tradi- tions of, 128; Second Letter from Snyder, 129; Washington's Reply, 130; Refutation of the Anti-Masonic Slanders, 131 ; Grand Master General, 132; Ad- dress by Army Lodges, 134; Massachusetts refuses to concur, 136; Universal belief that Wash- ington was Grand Master Gen- eral, 137; Medal struck as such, 139. Washington, Lodges in United States, 3 Watson and Cassoul, Draft and Letter to, 7, 17; Send Masonic Apron to Washington, 19; Reply to, 22; Fac-simile of original Draft to, 24, 25; mention of, 27 Watson, Elkanah, 19; Letter to Washington, 20, 27 Warren, John, 102 Webb, Joseph, 135 W^illiams, J. Henry, Authorization, iii; mention of, 4 White, Rev. William, Prayer by, 12 Wise's Tavern, Alexandria, 35 Williams, William, Paints Wash- ington's Masonic Portrait, 36 White, Isaac, 53 Williams, Otho, 134 144 c\ 5X6.