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 The Society of the Cincinnati was established at the close of the 
 Revolutionary War, in May, 1783, by officers of the American army, just 
 previous to its disbanding, in the cantonment at Newburgh, on the Hudson 
 River. 
 
 It was designed to be a " Society of friends, to endure as long as they 
 shall endure or any of their eldest male posterity, and in failure thereof, the 
 collateral branches who may be judged worthy of becoming its supporters 
 and members." 
 
 It was founded on certain " immutable principles," viz., to preserve invio- 
 late the rights and liberties secured by the war, to promote and cherish union 
 and national honor between the States, to render permanent the cordial 
 affection subsisting among the officers, and especially to assist such officers, 
 or their families, as might be in need. 
 
 The Society was divided into State Societies. 
 
 All officers of the American army, who had resigned with honor, after 
 three years' service in the capacity of officers, or who had been deranged by 
 the resolutions of Congress, upon the several reforms of the array, or who 
 had continued to the end of the war, were entitled to become parties to this 
 institution, on subscribing one month's pay, and signing their names to the 
 general rules in their respective State societies; and the "eldest male 
 branches " of such officers as had died in the service were also entitled to 
 membership on the same terms as children of actual members. A limited 
 number of honorary members might also be admitted. 
 
 By virtue of resolutions adopted in 1854 and 1856, each State Society has 
 now the right to regulate the terms and qualifications for the admission of 
 members, "provided, that admission be confined to the male descendants of 
 original members (including collateral branches as contemplated by the 
 original constitution) ; or to the male descendants of such officers of the 
 army or navy as may have been entitled to admission, but who failed to avail 
 themselves thereof, within the time limited by the constitution ; or to the 
 male descendants of such officers of the army or navy of the Revolution as 
 may have resigned with honor, or left the service with reputation; or to the 
 male collateral relative of any officer who died in service without leaving 
 issue." 
 
 The male descendants of those who were members of State societies which 
 have dissolved may also be admitted into existing societies, on such terms as 
 those societies may prescribe. 
 
I 
 
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 The sura of $700, by the present rules of the Massachusetts Society, is to 
 be paid by each person admitted under the above rules, whose ancestor was 
 not a member of the Society. 
 
 The Massachusetts Society was incorporated by Act of the Legislature in 
 1806. It holds an annual meeting at Boston on the 4th of July. Its business 
 affairs are transacted by the Officers and a Standing Committee, who hold 
 regular meetings in March and November of each year, at which times 
 applications for membership are considered, and aid is voted to beneficiaries 
 out of the income of the Society's fund. 
 
 BY-LAWS AND RULES 
 
 ^^n%Mx\miH ^oriety ot the Cittrinnati. 
 
 Originally adopted July ith, 1811, and amended at the annual meetings 
 0/1848, 1859, 1872, and 1877. 
 
 I. The officers of the society shall consist of a president, vice-president, 
 secretary, treasurer, and an assistant-secretary and treasurer, each of whom 
 shall, in virtue of his office, be a member of the standing committee of the 
 year. 
 
 II. There shall be annually elected, on the 4th of July, a committee con- 
 sisting of twelve, in addition to the officers of the society, whose duty it 
 shall be to take care of the general concerns of the corporation, as well as of 
 all matters specially committed to them by the society. They shall from the 
 funds afford such relief to the members, or to their widows and orphans, as 
 in their judgment shall become proper objects thereof, in such sums, and at 
 such times as they shall think best, taking care that the interest only of the 
 general stock of the society be appropriated for this purpose, and for that of 
 defraying the necessary expenses of the society. They shall pay a special 
 attention to the state of the treasury, and shall see that the treasurer gives 
 bond for the faithful discharge of his duty ; they shall from time to time 
 audit his accounts, direct him in the exchange or purchase of stock, and in 
 whatever the interest and security of the corporation may from time to time 
 require. They shall keep a record of their proceedings, which shall be sub- 
 ject to the inspection of any member, and at the annual meeting shall be laid 
 before the society and read. 
 
 III. The votes for the election of the officers of the society, and for the 
 admission of members, shall always be by ballot, or written vote. 
 
3 
 
 IV. Five members of the standing committee shall be considered as a 
 quorum for transacting the ordinary business ; but no appropriation of money 
 shall be made unless seven members be present. 
 
 V. Every original candidate, who shall ba voted in, shall, at the time of 
 his admission, pay such a sum in aid of the funds, as the standing committee 
 shall adjudge to be reasonable. 
 
 VI. Every person who may be desirous of becoming a member of the 
 society, and who shall come within the terms of the original general institu- 
 tion, shall make his application to the standing committee in writing; who 
 shall advise thereon, and report their opinion to the society; but no one shall 
 be permitted to be a candidate under the age of twenty-one years. 
 
 VII. Each person who shall be admitted a member in right of succession 
 to a deceased member, or who shall become a member by virtue of any rule 
 now existing or which may hereafter be established, shall make and subscribe 
 the following declaration, in presence of the society : 
 
 I having been admitted a member 
 
 of the Society of Cincinnati within the State of Massachusetts, as the true 
 successor of • , late a member of this 
 
 society, and my deceased (father or brother, as the case may be) do solemnly 
 promise and engage that I will duly conform to all the regulations established 
 from time to time for the government of said society, as far as they shall 
 have for their basis the principles of the original institution. In testimony 
 whereof, I hereto subscribe my name, and pledge my sacred honor. 
 
 VIII. New members, who shall be admitted on the claim of succession, 
 shall have a diploma or certificate, signed by the president, and countersigned 
 by the secretary, of the form following, viz : 
 
 COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 Be it known that as the true successor of 
 
 deceased, is a member of the Society of the 
 Cincinnati; instituted by the officers of the American Army, at the period of 
 its dissolution, as well to commemorate the great event which gave indepen- 
 dence to the United States of America, as for the laudable purpose of incul- 
 cating the duty of laying down, in peace, arms assumed for public defence, 
 and of uniting in acts of brotherly affection and bonds of perpetual friend- 
 ship, the members constituting the same. 
 
 In testimony whereof, the seal of the 
 State Society of the Cincinnati of 
 Massachusetts, is hereunto affixed, and 
 [seal.] the hand of the President, the day 
 
 of in the year of our Lord one 
 
 thousand eight hundred and 
 By order President. 
 
 Secretary. 
 
JX Any person, making application to become a member of the Society, 
 in conformity with the Rule recommended at the Triennial meeting of the 
 general Society of tlie Cincinnati, held at Baltimore, in May, 1854, and 
 adopted by this Society at their annual meeting in July following, may be 
 admitted, upon subscribing the usual declaration and upon condition of the 
 payment of the sum of seA^en hundred ($700.00) dollars to the Treasurer of 
 the Society, as a contribution to the permanent fund, and shall thereby be 
 entitled to all the rights and privileges of an original member. 
 
 X. The succession and admission to membership of this Society shall 
 descend to the heir male, unless, for satisfactory reasons, another be chosen; 
 in which case the membership shall extend to the life only of the person so 
 elected, and, at his decease, the then existing heir male of the original mem- 
 ber shall be the person first to be considered on a new election. 
 
 RULES REGARDING HONORARY MEMBERS. 
 
 Voted, That, in the election of honorary members, it is distinctly under- 
 stood by the Society, that such election does not confer the right of an ori- 
 ginal member, or give an honorary member any title to any portion of the 
 funds, nor are they entitled to vote, or eligible to any office. 
 
 Voted, That the admission of honorary members of the Cincinnati, for 
 life only, shall be confined to those who shall be eminent lineal descendants 
 or representatives of those who were distinguished by high military or civil 
 virtues and services in the Revolutionary War. 
 
 Voted, That no person be admitted an honorary member of the Society, 
 except upon recommendation of the Standing Committee. 
 
 April, 1890. 
 
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