"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 "receive you to the harmonious & exalted So- "ciety in Heaven.—

"JOHN CUTLER, Grand Master "JOSIAH BARTLETT } "MUNGO MACHEY } Grd Wardens.

"Boston "Decem. 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 original 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.—

"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.

"Go. Washington"

No fac-simile copy of the original letter was obtainable for the Collection of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.

WASHINGTON'S REPLY TO THE GRAND LODGE OF MASSACHUSETTS. LETTER BOOK II, FOLIO 108.



XI

CORRESPONDENCE WITH GRAND LODGE OF PENNSYLVANIA, DECEMBER, 1796.

September 18, 1796, President WASHINGTON 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 Fugitive Slave Act; the whiskey insurrection in western Pennsylvania; the adoption of the Eleventh amendment; 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 WASHINGTON's second and last term.[58]

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 his Masonic Brethren of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania 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 increasing the relief fund, for the widows and orphans of the yellow fever epidemic which ravaged the capital city during the past summer.[59]

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 St John, Decemr 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 Rt W. Grand Master, Deputy G. M. Brs Sadler, Milnor and Williams, were accordingly appointed."

At a Grand Lodge held on St. John's Day, Philadelphia, December 27, 5796, "The Committee appointed 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 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 Refreshment 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 "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 Lodge of "Pennsylvania at their communication held the 27th "Day of December Anno Domini 5796.

"Wm Moore Smith"

=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.=

It was then moved and seconded that the same be adopted. Upon the question being taken it appeared 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 present an address to him, and to know what time he shall be pleased to appoint to receive it. The committee 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 committee, to wit, Brothers W. Smith, Duplessis and Procter, together with Right Worshipful Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, and Junior Wardens, Grand Secretary and the Masters of the different Lodges in the City, were then appointed a Deputation to present the said Address.

This deputation consisted of Right Worshipful Grand Master William Moore Smith, Gavin Hamilton, Deputy Grand Master, Thomas Town, Senior Grand Warden, Thomas Armstrong, Esqr., Junior Grand Warden, George A. Baker, Grand Secretary, John McElwee, Grand Treasurer, and the following Masters of the Philadelphia Lodges, viz.: David Irwin, 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, William Nelson, No. 71; together with the appointed Committee, Brothers William Smith D.D., Le Barbier Duplessis and Thomas Procter.

President WASHINGTON received the august deputation 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 a reply. This document, 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.

"Go. Washington"

FAC-SIMILE OF WASHINGTON'S REPLY TO GRAND LODGE OF PENNSYLVANIA, DECEMBER, 1796. ORIGINAL IN ARCHIVES OF THE GRAND LODGE OF PENNSYLVANIA.

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 Philadelphia, June 1, 1759. He was a lawyer by profession and served as Deputy Grand Master for the year 1795 under the Venerable William Ball, and as Right Worshipful Grand Master 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 WASHINGTON'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 "compatriot in arms, and old and intimate friend," who attended 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 reproduced in fac-simile, published and circulated (in most cases without the knowledge or consent of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania) more widely than any other known letter of WASHINGTON. Some of these copies are treasured by their owners under the impression that they have the original letter. Several 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 dollars were asked for the reproduction, and it was with great difficulty that the owner could be convinced 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 known 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 revolutionary period.

It was also frequently quoted and criticised during 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.

=MOUNT VERNON

DURING WASHINGTON'S OCCUPANCY, 1788-1799.=



Footnotes:

[58] Cf. The Religious and Social Conditions of Philadelphia, under the Federal Constitution, 1790-1800. Julius F. Sachse, Philadelphia, 1900.

[59] Cf. "Freemasonry in Pennsylvania," before quoted, Vol. II, pp. 190-197; original copy in archives of Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.



XII

CORRESPONDENCE WITH ALEXANDRIA LODGE, NO. 22, VIRGINIA.

Upon pages 244 and 245 of WASHINGTON's folio Letter Book No. III in the Library 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 Vernon by Brothers Dennis Ramsay and Phillip G. Marsteller, and presented with the following letter and address from James Gillies, the Master of Alexandria Lodge, No. 22, of Virginia, viz.:

"ALEXA March 28th, 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, "Your Mo. Obt Hble Servt "JAMES GILLIES, M.

"Genl 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 "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, Master."

"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.:

"BROTHERS 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 "by the kind partiality with which they have been "received; and the assurance you give me of your "belief that I have acted upon the square in my "public capacity, will be among my principles en- "joyments in this Terrestial Lodge.

"Go. Washington"

FAC-SIMILE OF LETTER FROM W. M. OF ALEXANDRIA LODGE TO BRO. WASHINGTON, MARCH, 1797. LETTER BOOK II, FOLIO 294.

FAC-SIMILE OF ADDRESS FROM ALEXANDRIA LODGE, NO. 22, TO WASHINGTON, MARCH, 1797. LETTER BOOK II, FOLIO 294-295.

FAC-SIMILE OF WASHINGTON'S REPLY TO ALEXANDRIA LODGE, NO. 22, VIRGINIA, MARCH, 1797.

After which the Brethren went in procession from their room to Abert's Tavern,[60] where they partook of an "elegant" dinner, following which a number of toasts were offered. The tenth toast was by Brother WASHINGTON, "The Lodge at Alexandria, and all Masons throughout the World," after which he returned to Mount Vernon under an escort of mounted troops of the town.[61]

The copies of the letter, address and reply in WASHINGTON's Letter Book are in the handwriting of his secretary, Tobias Lear. Photostats of all are in the collection of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. No direct photograph of the original in possession of Alexandria-Washington Lodge, No. 22, was obtainable.



Footnotes:

[60] Abert's Tavern, formerly "John Wise's." Vide p. 35 supra.

[61] Cf. "Washington after the Revolution," W. S. Baker, p. 347.



XIII

CORRESPONDENCE WITH GRAND LODGE OF MASSACHUSETTS, MARCH, 1797.

At a Grand Lodge in Quarterly Communication, held at Concert Hall, Boston, on the evening of March 18, A.L. 5797.

"On motion it was Voted, That a committee be appointed to draft an Address, to be presented to our Illustrious Brother, George Washington, Esq'r, when the M.W. Paul Revere, Grand Master, R.W. John Warren, Rev. Bro. Thaddeus M. Harris, R.W. Josiah Bartlett, Bro. Thomas Edwards, were appointed a committee for that purpose."

In response to above resolution the following address was sent to Brother WASHINGTON at Mount Vernon dated Boston, March 21, 5797, viz.:

"The East, the West and the South, of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Commonwealth 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 opportunity of greeting you in the calm retirement you have contemplated to yourself. 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 public business our institution opens a recess affording all the relief of tranquility, the harmony of peace and the refreshment of pleasure. Of these may you partake 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 refreshment your labors merited.

"In behalf of the Grand Lodge, we subscribe ourselves with the highest esteem,

"Your affectionate Brethren, "PAUL REVERE, Grand Master. "ISAIAH THOMAS, S. Grand 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 Massachusetts 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 Congress, viz.:

"TO PAUL REVERE GRAND MASTER, ISAIAH "THOMAS SENIOR GRAND WARDEN AND "JOSEPH LAUGHTON JUNR 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 "signatures, should appear so much out from "of season; but ^ the lapse of time between "the date & reception of the address (from "what cause I know not) it was not to be "avoided, and is offered as an apology, for "the delay. With brotherly affection

"I am always yours, "Go. Washington"

"Mount Vernon, "24th April 1797."

=PAUL REVERE

1735-1818.

GRAND MASTER OF MASONS IN MASSACHUSETTS, 1797.=

FAC-SIMILE OF AUTOGRAPH LETTER FROM WASHINGTON TO PAUL REVERE AND THE OFFICERS OF THE GRAND LODGE OF MASSACHUSETTS, APRIL 24, 1797.

FAC-SIMILE OF ORIGINAL DRAFT OF WASHINGTON'S REPLY TO THE ADDRESS FROM THE GRAND LODGE OF MASSACHUSETTS IN LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.

Following is a copy of WASHINGTON's original draft of his reply to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. It is written upon two pages of a letter sheet entirely in his handwriting and signed by him.

"TO THE GRAND LODGE OF ANCIENT, FREE & "ACCEPTED MASONS, OF THE COMMONWEALTH "OF MASSACHUSETTS.

"Brothers,

"It was not until within "these few days that I have been favoured by "the receipt of your affectionate Address "dated in Boston the 21st of March

"For the favourable sentiments "you have been pleased to express on the "occasion of my past services, and for the "regrets with which they are accompani- "ed for the cessation of my public functions, "I pray you to accept my best acknowledg- "ments and gratitude.—

"No pleasure, except that wch "results from a consciousness of having, to "the utmost of my abilities, discharged, "the trusts which have been reposed in "me by my Country, can equal the satis "faction I feel from the unequivocal proofs "I continually receive of its approbation "of my public conduct, and I beg you to be "assured that the evidence thereof which "is exhibited by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts "is not among the least pleasing, or grate "ful to my feelings.—

"In that retirement which decli- "ning years induced me to seek, and which "repose, to a mind long employed in pub- "lic concerns, rendered necessary, my wish "es that bounteous Providence will conti- "nue to bless & preserve our country in "Peace & in the prosperity it has enjoyed, will "be warm & sincere; and my attachment "to the Society of which we are members "will dispose me always, to contribute my best "endeavours to promote the honor & "interest of the Craft.—

"For the prayer you offer in "my behalf I entreat you to accept the "thanks of a grateful heart; with the as- "surance of fraternal regard and best "wishes for the honor, happiness & prospe- "rity of all the members of the Grand Lodge "of Massachusetts.

"Go. Washington"

The original letter is said to be in possession of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. No photographic fac-simile of the document, however, could be obtained.

ANCIENT JEWEL OF THE GRAND LODGE OF MARYLAND.



XIV

CORRESPONDENCE WITH GRAND LODGE OF MARYLAND, NOVEMBER, 1798.

In the year 1798, the danger of a war with France had become so imminent, on account of the aggressions of that government towards the United States, that Congress ordered a provisional army to be raised, the command of which was tendered to WASHINGTON, with the rank of Lieutenant-General, an honor which was reluctantly accepted by WASHINGTON. During the summer a scourge of yellow fever had again visited Philadelphia, which caused Congress to adjourn, July 16, and the public offices to be removed for the time being to Trenton, N. J. All danger of the fever being over, WASHINGTON, on November 5, started for Trenton. He arrived at Baltimore, November 7, and was waited on at his quarters by William Belton, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Maryland, his Deputy and other Brethren and presented with a copy of the New Ahiman Rezon and the following address,[62] viz.:

"TO GEORGE WASHINGTON, ESQ., Lieutenant General and Commander-in-chief of the Armies of the United States.

"Sir and Brother:

"The Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free Masons for the State of Maryland, wishing to testify the respect in which the whole fraternity in this State hold the man who is at once the ornament of the Society and of his country, vote a copy of the Constitution of Masonry, lately printed under its authority, to be presented to you.

"Accept, Sir and Brother, from our hands this small token of the veneration of men who consider it as the greatest boast of their Society, that a WASHINGTON openly avows himself a member of it, and thinks it worthy of his approbation. With it accept also our warmest congratulations in the name of the body which we represent, on your reappointment to that elevated station in which you formerly wrought the salvation of your country; and on your restoration to the inestimable blessing of health which, that the Almighty disposer of events may continue to accord to you uninterruptedly, is the most earnest prayer of your most respectfully affectionate Brethren and most humble servants.

"Signed, WM. BELTON, R.. W..G..M.. "Peter Little, Grand Secretary, "Baltimore, November 5th, 1798."

FAC-SIMILE (REDUCED) OF THE ORIGINAL DRAFT OF WASHINGTON'S LETTER TO THE GRAND LODGE OF MARYLAND.—ELKTON, MD., NOV. 8, 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 evidently in his mind when he wrote this letter to the Maryland Brethren.

Upon second thought he eliminated the lines bearing upon the insinuations in Snyder's letter. Following is a copy of the letter as originally written, viz.:

"TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE OF FREE "MASONS FOR THE STATE OF MARYLAND.

"Gentlemen & Brothers,

"Your obliging & affectionate "letter, together with a copy of the Constitutions 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 & Doctrines of "Free Masonry, 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 melancholly 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 "government 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 government 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 my appointment.

"I pray you to be assured that I ap- "preciate, with sincerity your kind wishes for "my health & happiness.

"I am Gentln & brothers "very respectfully "Yr most obt servt.

"Go. Washington"

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 Maryland, as late as 1833, but it has since disappeared.[63]

"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 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 Government 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 independence which we have so dearly purchased; and under 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 gratitude 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,

"Go. Washington"

"Elkton, November 8th, 1798."

=GEORGE WASHINGTON

BY CHARLES BALTHAZAR FEVERET DE SAINT MEMIN.

THE LAST PORTRAIT OF WASHINGTON FROM LIFE, TAKEN IN PHILADELPHIA, NOVEMBER, 1798.=



Footnotes:

[62] Cf. "Freemasonry in Maryland," by Edw. J. Schultz, Baltimore, 1884, Vol. I, pp. 265-266.

[63] Ibid., p. 266.



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 address 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 Freemasons," held in the Masonic Temple, in the City of Philadelphia on Wednesday, November the fifth, A. D. 1902, states:[64]

"It is well known that during the French Revolution religion was dethroned, and reason installed in the place of Deity. The spreading of such doctrines was by many ascribed to the 'Illuminati,' who were supposed to be Masons. During this period 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 Fredericktown, Maryland, wrote to Washington sending at the same time a book entitled 'Proofs of a Conspiracy,' etc., by John Robison,[65] the conspiracy being 'to overturn all government and all religion'."[66]

This letter, sent to WASHINGTON at Mount Vernon covered no less than six pages; following is a verbatim 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 sumption 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 arrival, a close Attachment to the Liberty for which these confederated States then struggled. The same attachment still remains not glowing, but burning in my Breast. At the same Time that I am exulting in the Measures adopted by our Government, 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 Liberty and Government. The most secret Plans are in Agitation; Plans calculated to ensnare the Unwary, to attract the Gay irreligious, and to entice even the Well-Disposed to combine in the general Machine for overturning all Government and all Religion.

"It was some Time since that a Book fell into my hands, entitled 'Proofs of a Conspiracy, &c. by John Robison,' which gives a full Account of a Society of Free Masons, that distinguishes itself by the name of 'Illuminati,' whose Plan is to over throw all Government and all Religion, even natural; 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 have caught the Infection, and might co-oper ate with the Illuminati or the Jacobin Club in France. Fauchet is mentioned by Robinson as a zealous Member; and who can doubt Genet and Adet? Have not these their con fidants in this country? They use the same Expressions, and are generally Men of no Religion. Upon serious Reflection I was led to think that it might be within your Power to prevent the horrid Plan from corrupting 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 already perused the Book, it will not, I trust, be disagreeable to you that I have presumed to address you with this Letter and the Book accompanying it. 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."

FAC-SIMILE OF FIRST PAGE OF LETTER FROM G. W. SNYDER TO WASHINGTON, AUGUST 22, 1798.

FAC-SIMILE OF FOURTH PAGE OF LETTER FROM G. W. SNYDER TO WASHINGTON, AUGUST 22, 1798.

FAC-SIMILE OF PRESS COPY OF WASHINGTON'S ANSWER TO REV. G. W. SNYDER.—SEPTEMBER 25, 1798.

This man Snyder (Schneider) was an agitator and thoroughly irresponsible person, having no ecclesiastical 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 permitted 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 February 15, 1800 the case was decided against him, which ended his activity in Frederick Town; soon after which he left for parts unknown.[67]

Snyder, who was not a native of this country, evidently labored under the impression that WASHINGTON was a Grand Master 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 correspondence is shown by his precaution in taking a press copy of both of his letters to Snyder, who he was led to believe was the regular pastor of the German Reformed Congregation at Fredericktown. These are now in the Library of Congress. It will be noted that in all of his other Masonic correspondence, 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 following reply was sent to Fredericktown, viz.:

"MOUNT VERNON, 25th Sept. 1798.

"Sir,

"Many apologies are "due to you, for my not acknowledging "the receipt of your obliging favour of for "the 22d 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- "ly, the multiplicity of matters which me "pressed upon before, & the debilitated "state in which I was left after a se "vere fever had been removed, and "which allows me to add little more now, "than thanks for your kind wishes and "favourable sentiments, except to cor- "rect an error you have run into, of my "presiding over the English Lodges in "this Country. The fact is, I preside over "none, nor have I been in one, more than thirty "once or twice, within the last years.

"I believe notwithstanding, that "none of the Lodges in this Country are "contaminated with the principles as- "cribed to the society of the Illuminati."

"With respect "I am, Sir, "Your Obedt Hble Servt

"Go. Washington"

"The Revd Mr Snyder. Endorsed to "The Revd Mr. Snyder. "25th Sep. 1798."

FAC-SIMILE OF PRESS COPY OF WASHINGTON'S SECOND LETTER TO REV. G. W. SNYDER.—OCTOBER 24, 1798.

In this letter WASHINGTON was correct in stating that he had not presided over the "English Lodges in this Country," undoubtedly meaning as Grand Master General.

Where WASHINGTON says "The fact is I preside over none," he meant that he did not then preside over any individual lodge, as he at that time was a Past Master of Alexandria Lodge, No. 22, of Virginia.[68]

Where he says "Nor have I been in one, [meaning an individual lodge] more than once or twice within the last thirty years," he obviously had in view his occasional visits to the various lodges during that period, and that he could not, on account of his official duties and other conditions, attend any lodge regularly.

As a matter of record, WASHINGTON was a member of Alexandria Lodge, No. 39, of Pennsylvania,[69] and attended some of its meetings at Alexandria in 1783 and 1784, as is shown by the Minutes of the Lodge, and the records here presented.[70] Further, that when the Brethren of Alexandria Lodge, No. 39, changed their allegiance from Pennsylvania to Virginia, General WASHINGTON was especially named in the warrant, after his consent having been first obtained,[71] and thereby became the Warrant Master of Lodge No. 22, under the Virginia jurisdiction, April 28, 1788, serving as such until December 20 following, when, as the minutes of that date show,[72] he was unanimously elected to succeed himself for the full term, serving in all about twenty months.

The records further show that, in 1778, WASHINGTON occupied the chief position in the procession at the celebration of St. John the Evangelist by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia in 1778, in which more than three hundred Brethren joined.[73]

He also occupied the same position when he laid the corner stone of the present capitol at Washington, September 18, 1793, clothed with the Masonic Apron presented by Lafayette, which is now in the Museum of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. Upon both of these occasions, WASHINGTON made a public profession of his membership in the Masonic Fraternity.

Records show that WASHINGTON was present at the meeting of American Union Lodge (a Military Lodge), at Morristown, N. J., December 27, 1779;[74] at American Union Lodge at Nelson's point on the Hudson June 24, 1782;[75] at King Solomon's Lodge of Poughkeepsie, December 27, 1782, and occasionally at Alexandria Lodge, No. 39, in 1783-1784, and the Virginia Lodge, No. 22, between the years 1788 and 1797.[76]

WASHINGTON in the next paragraph of his letter to Snyder makes his meaning absolutely clear, that while he had not attended any Lodge regularly during the past thirty years he plainly states: "I believe notwithstanding, that none of the Lodges in this Country are contaminated with the principles ascribed to the society of the Illuminati."

This belief is further accentuated by the letter to the Grand Lodge of Maryland a few weeks after the above letter was written to Snyder.

In addition to above records, there are numerous traditions of WASHINGTON's occasional visits to Masonic Lodges and functions:[77] all of which fall within the thirty years mentioned in the Snyder Letter.[78]

Further, WASHINGTON's great interest in Freemasonry is shown by the many addresses received from different Grand and Subordinate Lodges throughout the Union, all of which he acknowledged in fraternal terms, also by the various Masonic constitutions and sermons dedicated to him, which he received with thanks and were preserved in his library.

It will be noted that in the fifth line from the bottom, "Within the last thirty years," which in all Anti-Masonic publications is printed in italics, the word "thirty" was not in the body of the letter as originally written, but was an afterthought and interlined before the press copy was taken.

In the press copy of this letter, it will be noted that the word written over the words "last years," is almost indecipherable; in the photostat it is completely so. This has led some investigators to question whether the interlined word is really "thirty."

The surmise that the blur in the press copy of WASHINGTON's letter to Snyder, was "thirty" was first promulgated by Jared Sparks, when he furnished the text of the letter to the Anti-Masonic agitators, during the political excitement which swept over the New England States in the second decade of the nineteenth century.

Snyder, upon receipt of this letter, undoubtedly after consultation with persons who were politically opposed to WASHINGTON or antagonistic to the Masonic Fraternity, wrote a second letter and sent it to Mount Vernon under date of October 17, 1798; no copy of this letter has thus far been found among the WASHINGTON papers in the Library of Congress.

WASHINGTON immediately sent the following sharp reply to Snyder, in which he plainly sets forth his belief that the Masonic Lodges in the United States were not interested in the propagation of the tenets of what was then known as Jacobism or the Illuminati. The words as underscored in the original letter by WASHINGTON were to emphasize his meaning upon this subject.

Photostats of both of the above letter press copies are in the Archives of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.

"MOUNT VERNON 24th Oct. 1798.

"Rev. Sir,

"I have you favor of the tive "17th instant before me and my only mo: "to trouble you with the receipt of this let "ter, is to explain, and correct a mistake "which I perceive the hurry in which I "am obliged, often to write letters, have "led you into.—

"It was not my intention to doubt "that, the doctrines of the Illuminati, and "principles of Jacobism had not spread "in the United States. On the contrary, no "one is more, fully satisfied of this fact "that I am.

"The idea I meant to convey, was, "that I did not believe that the Lodges "of Free Masons in this Country had, as "Societies, endeavoured to propagate the "diabolical tenets of the first, or the per- "nicious principles of the latter, (if they "are susceptible of separation) That "individuals of them may have done it, or "that the founder, or instrument employ "ed to found the Democratic Societies "in the United States, may have had these "objects, and actually had a separation "of the people from their Government "in view, is too evident to be questioned.

"My occupations are such, that "but little leisure is allowed me to read News "Papers, or Books of any kind. The reading "of letters and preparing answers, absorb "much of my time.—

"With respect,—I remain, "Revd Sir, "Your Most Obedt Hble Servt

"Go. Washington"

"The Revd. "Mr Snyder." Endorsed to "The Revd Mr Snyder, "24th Oct. 1798."

It is a historical fact that WASHINGTON had always retained the highest respect for the people of Maryland, and especially the citizens of Frederick County. No man ever stood higher in the estimation of the people of Maryland than WASHINGTON, and his death awakened genuine sorrow. On February 22d, 1800, memorial services were observed in the Reformed Church at Fredericktown.[79] It was a solemn day and the whole County was in mourning; at which time Ex-Governor Thomas Johnson pronounced the funeral oration. Snyder took no part in these services.

The two letters to Snyder were chiefly relied upon by the Anti-Masons to support their political claims.

"That Washington was never in a Lodge but twice, in his life; that he paid no attention to Masonry during the war; that in 1781 he declined being addressed by Masons as a brother Mason, and in 1798 was very particular to insist upon the fact that he had not been in a Lodge, but once or twice in 30 years, and knew nothing of their principles and practices."[80]

How false these statements so frequently made, is shown by the many proofs here presented in fac-simile of the originals, which also absolutely controvert the statement in Governor Ritner's Vindication? viz:—

"That all the letters said to be written by Washington to Lodges are spurious. This is rendered nearly certain: First, by the non-production of the originals: Second, by the absence of copies among the records of his letters: Third, by their want of dates: Fourth, by the fact that his intimate friend and biographer, Chief Justice Marshall,[81] (himself a Mason in his youth,) says that he never heard Washington utter a syllable on the subject, a matter nearly impossible, if Washington had for years been engaged in writing laudatory letters to the Grand Lodges of South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts."[82]

The movement to elect General WASHINGTON a Grand Master over all the Brethren in the United States originated at a meeting of American Union Lodge, held at the encampment of the American Army at Morristown, New Jersey, December 15, 1779. This Lodge was a Regimental Lodge of the Connecticut Line, originally warranted by the Provincial Grand Master of Massachusetts.

This movement continued to find favor amongst the craft, especially in Pennsylvania, and culminated in a motion to that effect at a General Grand Communication of the Grand Lodge, December 20, 1779.

This resulted in a Grand Lodge of Emergency being convened January 13, 1780, when the following action was taken:[83]

"This Lodge being called by Order of the Grand Master, upon the request of Sundry Brethren, and also in pursuance of a Motion made at the last General Communication, to consider the Propriety as well as the necessity of appointing a Grand Master over all the Grand Lodges formed or to be formed in these United States, as the Correspondence which the Rules of Masonry require cannot now be carried on with the Grand Lodge of London, under whose Jurisdiction the Grand Lodges in these States were originally constituted; The Ballot was put upon the Question: Whether it be for the Benefit of Masonry that 'a Grand Master of Masons thro'out the United States' shall be now nominated on the part of this Grand Lodge; and it was unanimously determined in the affirmative.

"Sundry respectable Brethren being then put in nomination, it was moved that the Ballot be put for them separately, and His Excellency George Washington, Esquire, General and Commander-in-chief of the Armies of the United States being first in nomination, he was ballotted for accordingly as Grand Master, and Elected by the unanimous vote of the whole Lodge.

"Ordered, That the minutes of this Election and appointment be transmitted to the different Grand Lodges in the United States, and their Concurrence therein be requested, in Order that application be made to his Excellency in due form, praying that he will do the Brethren and Craft the honor of accepting their appointment. A Committee was appointed to expedite the Business."

The movement was further advanced at a Convention of representatives of the Army Lodges, held at Morristown, N. J., on February 7, 1780, when, fortified by the pronounced action of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, a committee was chosen of which Brother Mordecai Gist of Maryland was chairman and Brother Otho Williams of Delaware, secretary.[84]

FAC-SIMILE OF FINAL LETTER FROM BOSTON, ENDING THE ATTEMPT TO MAKE GEN. WASHINGTON GENERAL GRAND MASTER.

This Committee issued the celebrated address:

"To the RIGHT WORSHIPFUL, The Grand Masters of the several Lodges in the Respective United States of America.

"UNION——FORCE——LOVE."

This address was signed by representatives of no less than seven states, viz.: Maryland, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts Bay, New York and Delaware; in addition to those of the American Union Lodge, Artillery, St. John's Regimental Lodge and the Staff of the American Army.

It was further ordered that the foregoing address with an exact copy of these proceedings signed by the President and Secretary, be sent to the respective Provincial Grand Masters in the United States.[85]

It was not until the middle of October that a reply was received from the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts to the circular letter sent out by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, and then only in response to a letter written by our Grand Secretary, Rev. Brother Dr. William Smith.

This matter led to more or less correspondence between the Grand Lodges of Pennsylvania and Massachusetts and was in abeyance, until January, 1781, when the following letter was received from Joseph Webb, Grand Master of Massachusetts.[86]

"BOSTON, Jany 17, 1781.

"Revd Sir and "Respected Brother

"Last Friday Evening the Grand Lodge met, agreeable to adjournment and after a long debate on the subject, whether it was expedient at present to elect a Grand Master General for the United States, it passed in the negative.

"Inclosed I transmit you the vote from the G. Sec'y.

"Yr Affecte Brother "& Hble Servt "Jos: WEBB.

"Rev Dr Smith "Philadelphia."

The belief that WASHINGTON was the Grand Master of the United States was widespread, and, as our late Bro. James M. Lamberton said in his address before mentioned,[87] notwithstanding the fact that the project to elevate General WASHINGTON fell through, "that the action of the Army Lodges and of our Grand Lodge got abroad, is shown by translations of two letters from a Lodge at Cape Francois,[88] on the island of San Domingo, directed to General WASHINGTON as Grand Master of all America, soliciting a charter, which were presented to our Grand Lodge, February 3, 1786. The same thing is shown by a medal struck in 1797, the obverse showing the bust of WASHINGTON, with the legend, "G. Washington President. 1797," the reverse showing many Masonic emblems,[89] 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 Fraternity, nor even living where a Masonic Lodge existed, 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.



The Arms of ye most Ancient & Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons.



Footnotes:

[64] "Memorial Volume, Washington Sesqui-centennial Anniversary," Philadelphia, 1902, p. 165.

[65] "PROOFS of a CONSPIRACY against all the RELIGIONS and GOVERNMENTS of EUROPE carried on in the secret meetings of FREE MASONS, ILLUMINATI, and READING SOCIETIES, " collected from Good Authorities by JOHN ROBISON, A. M. EDINBURGH, 1797.

[66] 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.

[67] Cf. Historical sketch of the Evangelical Reformed Church of Frederick, Maryland, 1904, pp. 22-25.

[68] Cf. "Washington, The Man and Mason," p. 288.

[69] Vide "Sesqui-Centennial Anniversary of the Initiation of Brother George Washington before quoted," p. 149.

[70] Cf. Chapters II and III supra.

[71] Cf. "Washington, The Man and Mason," p. 286.

[72] Ibid., December 20, 1789. His excellency, General WASHINGTON, unanimously elected Master; Robert McCrea, Senior Warden; William Hunter, Jr., Junior Warden; William Hodgson, Treasurer; Joseph Greenway, Secretary; Dr. Frederick Spambergen, Senior Deacon; George Richards, Junior Deacon. Extract from Minutes, p. 288.

[73] Vide "Freemasonry in Pennsylvania, 1727-1907," Vol. I, Chapter X, pp. 295 et seq.

[74] Ibid., Vol. I, Chapter XII, pp. 399 et seq.

Vide "Washington and his Masonic Compeers," Chapter VIII, pp. 149 et seq.

[75] Ibid., pp. 86-87. Also records of King Solomon's Lodge, No. 1, Poughkeepsie, New York.

[76] Ibid., pp. 150 et seq.

[77] Ibid., pp. 139 et seq.

[78] WASHINGTON, so far as known, attended the following public Masonic functions:

1. Procession in Philadelphia, Festival of St. John the Evangelist, December 28, 1778.

2. Festival of St. John the Baptist, June 24, 1779, with the American Union Lodge, at the Robinson House on the Hudson, New York.

3. Festival of St. John the Evangelist, December 27, 1779, with American Union Lodge, at the Morris Hotel, Morristown, New Jersey.

4. Festival of St. John the Evangelist, December 27, 1782, with King Solomon's Lodge, at Poughkeepsie, New York.

5. Festival of St. John the Baptist, June 24, 1784, with Lodge No. 39, at Alexandria, Virginia.

6. The Masonic funeral of Brother William Ramsay, February 12, 1785, at Alexandria.

7. Laying of the cornerstone of the capitol at the Federal City (Washington, D. C.), September 18, 1793, upon which occasion WASHINGTON walked in the procession.

[79] Cf. Historical sketch before quoted, p. 24.

[80] Anti-Masonic Republican Convention before quoted, p. 26.

[81] Grand Master of Virginia, 1793-1795.

[82] Vindication of General Washington before quoted, p. 15.

[83] Cf. "Reprint of Minutes of Grand Lodge," Vol. I, p. 19.

[84] "Freemasonry in Pennsylvania, 1727-1781," Vol. I, p. 39.

[85] Address in full, ibid., pp. 399-402.

[86] All of the original correspondence is in the Archives of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, Mss., Vol. A.

[87] "Washington Sesqui-Centennial Celebration, Nov. 5, 1902, Memorial Volume," pp. 135-6.

[88] Cf. "Old Masonic Lodges of Pennsylvania," Vol. II, Chapter LIII, pp. 242-250.

[89] Specimen in Museum of Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.



INDEX.

Aberts Tavern, 101

Adam, Rev. John, 30

Adam, Robert, 29, 30

Adcock, William, 77

Alexander, Alexander, 58

Alexandria Lodge, No. 22, Address and Reply, 18; Letter and Address to Washington, 96; Washington's Reply, 97

Alexandria Lodge, No. 39, 17; Correspondence with, 28; Address 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

Baker, George A., 90

Ball, William, 93

Bartlett, Josiah, 83, 102

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

Dick, Archibald, 32

Dick, Elisha C., 29, 32; Conducts Masonic Services at Washington's Funeral, 33

Drayton, William, 58

Duplessis, Peter le Barbier, 70; Autograph, 72, 79, 80

Edwards, Thomas, 102

Elliot, Robert, 15

Few, Joseph, 70; mention of, 78

Foster, Theo., 42

Franklin, Benjamin, mention of, 27

Fredericktown, Maryland, 117

Freemasonry in Pennsylvania (Barratt and Sachse), Referred to, 16

Free Quaker Meeting House, 69

Gates, Thomas, 58

Georgia Grand Lodge, Address and Reply, 7, 17; Fraudulent letter to, 94

Gillies, James, 95, 96, 97

Gist, Mordecai, 57, 58, 59; Sketch of, 64, 134

Gorman, Mr., of New Hampshire, 42

Grant, Reuben, 53

Greene, Mrs. Nathaniel, 66

Griffith, Cadawalder, 90

Guion, Isaac, 48, 49

Halling, Solomon, 48, 49

Hamilton, Gavin, 70, 90

Handy, John, 15

Harris, Thaddeus M., 102

Hayes, Moses Michael, mention of, 15

Hildreth, Ara, 38

Houston, George, 66

Hunt, Galliard, mention of, 6

Illuminati, 117

Irwin, David, 90

Israel, Israel, 90

Jackson, Major William, 2; Copies Address and Answer, 40

Jefferson, Thomas, 36, 42

Johnson, William, 48, 49

King David's Lodge, No. 1, Newport, 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

Lamb Tavern, Alexandria meeting place of Lodge, No. 39, 33

Lamberton, J. M., Address Washington as a Freemason, 11; quoted, 117

Laughton, Joseph, 104

Lear, Tobias, 2, 75, 101

Letter Books in Library of Congress, 6

Littlefield, William, 37

Lodge No. 27, on Pennsylvania Roster, 57, 59

Lowthorp, F., 48

Machey, Mungo, 83

Marshall, John, Chief Justice, 132

Marsteller, Phillip G., 95, 96

Maryland Grand Lodge, Draft of Letter to 7, 18; Address to Washington, 112; Washington Reply, 113; Original Draft of Reply, ib.

Mason, Benjamin, 70

Masonic Aprons, 20

Masonic Portrait of Washington in Alexandria Lodge, 36

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 Washington, 83; Reply, 85; Letter to Paul Revere, 104; Reply to Grand Lodge, 106; Refuses to nominate Washington as Grand Master General, 136

Mazyck, William C., 60

McElwee, John, 90

Meyers, Israel, 58

Miller, George, 58

Mitchell, John, 58

Nelson, William, 90

Newburgh, Washington in Camp at, 21

Nilson, Andrew, 90

Oliver, Daniel, 104

Oswald, Eleaser, 90

Pasteur, Edward, 48

Pennsylvania Grand Lodge, Draft of Letter to, 7; Address and Reply, 18; Resolutions, 69; Address to Washington, 71; Washington's Reply, 73; Address to Washington, 1796, 88; Address, 1797, 103; Nominated Washington as Grand Master General, 133

Prince George's Lodge, No. 16, Georgetown, S. C., Address and Reply, 8, 17; Correspondence with, 51; Sketch of, ib.; Address to Washington, 52; Fac-simile, 54, 55; Washington's Reply, 56

Procter, Thomas, 70; Sketch of, 78, 90

Providence, R. I., Washington Arrives at, 42

Putnam, Herbert, mention of, 4

Ramsay, Dennis, 95, 96

Ramsay, William, 29, 33

Rehm, Dr. J. F., 50

Revere, Paul, 2; Letter from Washington, 8; Letter to, 18, 102, 104

Ritner, Governor, Vindication, 132

Robison, John, "Proofs of Conspiracy," 118

Rush, Dr. Benjamin, 32

Seixas, Moses, 15, 37; Sketch of, 39

Sherburne, Henry, 37

Shippen, Dr. William, 32

Smith, Jonathan Bayard, 70; Autograph, 72, 73; Sketch of, 76

Smith, Mr. of South Carolina, 42

Smith, Rev. William, D.D., Sermon 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, 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; Correspondence with, 57; Address to Washington, 59; Washington's Reply, 59; Original Draft of Reply, 61; Fac-simile, 62, 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

Thomas, Isaiah, 104

Town, Thomas, 90

Warren, John, 102

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. I., ib.; Report on, 15; As Grand Master, 16; Replies to Snyder, 18; Receives Masonic Ornaments from Watson & Cassoul, 20; Masonic Apron from Lafayette, 20; Reply to Watson & Cassoul, 21; In camp at Newburg, 21; Resigns his commission 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 with the Lodge, 34; Acceptance, 35; Accepts Honorary Membership, ib.; Portrait of in Alexandria Lodge, 36; Address from King David's Lodge, 38; Arrives at Newport, R. I., 42; Providence, ib.; Reply to King David's Lodge, ib; Starts on Southern Tour, 44; Reply to St. John's Lodge, 49; Arrives at Georgetown, 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 Carolina, 58; Washington's Reply, 59; Calls on Mrs. Nathaniel Greene, 65; Receives Address from Grand Lodge, Georgia, 66; 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, Massachusetts, 81; Washington's Reply, 84; Farewell Address, 86; At Philadelphia, 87; Address from Grand Lodge, Pennsylvania, 88; Washington Receives Deputation, 90; Reply, 91; Letters counterfeited, 94; Arrives at Mount Vernon, 95; Letter & Address from Alexandria 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-Centennial Anniversary, 117; Letter and Book from G. W. Snyder, 118; Reply to Snyder's Letter of September 15, 1798, 123; Explanation of, 125; Member of Alexandria Lodge, 126; Lays Corner-Stone of Capitol, 127; Masonic Record of, ib.; Traditions of, 128; Second Letter from Snyder, 129; Washington's Reply, 130; Refutation of the Anti-Masonic Slanders, 131; Grand Master General, 132; Address by Army Lodges, 134; Massachusetts refuses to concur, 136; Universal belief that Washington was Grand Master General, 137; Medal struck as such, 138

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

Webb, Joseph, 135

White, Isaac, 53

White, Rev. William, Prayer by, 12

Williams, J. Henry, Authorization, iii; mention of, 4

Williams, Otho, 134

Williams, William, Paints Washington's Masonic Portrait, 36

Wise's Tavern, Alexandria, 35



Transcriber's Notes:

Passages in italics are indicated by underscore.

Image captions are indicated by caption.

Illustrations without captions are not identified in this text version.

Superscripted letters are not identified in this text version.

Additional spacing after some of the quotes is intentional to indicate both the end of a quotation and the beginning of a new paragraph as presented in the original text.

The following misprints have been corrected: "contiuue" corrected to "continue" (page 66) "Illumaniti" corrected to "Illuminati" (page 130) "Fredricksburg" corrected to "Fredericksburg" (footnote 7) "Dick, Elisah" corrected to "Dick, Elisha" (index)

All other spelling and punctuation is presented as in the original.

The index has been correctly alphabetized.