422 lines
20 KiB
Plaintext
422 lines
20 KiB
Plaintext
SHORT TALK BULLETIN - Vol.X February, 1932 No.2
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FACTS FOR SPEAKERS, ABOUT GEORGE WASHINGTON,
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MASTER MASON
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by: Unknown
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“A short compilation of facts of the Masonic history of the First
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President, for the use of speakers who will prepare and deliver
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addresses on the Father of His Country, on the two hundredth
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anniversary of his birth.
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In Fredricksburg Lodge (now No.4), Fredricksburg, Virginia,
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Washington was:
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Initiated November 4, 1752
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Passed March 3, 1753
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Raised August 4, 1753
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Remained a member until the time of his death.
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Alexandria-Washington Lodge No.22, Alexandria, Virginia was:
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First Chartered as Alexandria Lodge No.39, under the Grand Lodge of
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Pennsylvania.
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Became Alexandria Lodge No.22, under the Grand Lodge of Virginia in
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1788.
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After Washington’s death, it was named Alexandria-Washington Lodge
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No.22 in 1805.
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Washington was first made an Honorary Member of this Lodge, June 24,
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1784.
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Became Charter Worshipful Master of this Lodge when the Charter was
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issued to it by the Grand Lodge if Virginia, April 28,1788.
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Holland Lodge No.8, New York City, New York, Elected Washington an
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Honorary Member, 1789.
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_______________
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1753 - September 1, Washington visited his Lodge at Fredricksburg
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shortly before his leaving for the Western Country.
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1755 - January 4. Again visited his Lodge.
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1777 - June 23. Proposed as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of
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Virginia.
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1778 - December 28. Marched in procession in Philadelphia,
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Pennsylvania at the Masonic celebration in Honor of St. John the
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Evangelist.
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1779 - June 24. Celebrated with American Union (Military) Lodge, the
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festival of St. John the
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Baptist, at West Point, New York.
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1779 - October 6. Washington (Military) Lodge was instituted by the
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Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.
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Washington visited this Lodge.
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1779 - December 15. Proposed by American Union (Military) Lodge at
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Morristown, New Jersey, as
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General Grand Master of the united States.
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1779 - December 20. Proposed by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania as
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General Grand Master of the United States.
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1779 - December 27. Celebrated with American Union (Military) Lodge,
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the Festival of St. John the
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Evangelist, at Morristown, New Jersey.
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1780 - January 13. Again proposed by the Grand Lodge of
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Pennsylvania as General Grand Master of the United States.
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1781 October. Said to have visited Lafayette Lodge No. 9 at
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Yorktown, Virginia after the surrender of Cornwallis there.
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1782 - Presented with a Masonic Apron, and other Masonic Regalia by
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Brothers Watson and Cassoul, of Nantes, France. Acknowledged the
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August, 1782.
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1782 - June 24. Celebrated with American Union (Military) Lodge the
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Festival of St. John the
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Baptist , at West Point, New York.
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1782 - December 27. Solomon’s Lodge No.1, Poughkeepsie, New York,
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records: Visitors, Bro. George Washington, Comdr in Chief.”
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Celebrated with them on this date the Festival of St. John The
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Evangelist.
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1784 - June 24. Celebrated with Alexandria Lodge, Alexandria,
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Virginia, the Festival of St. John the
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Baptist.
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1784 - August. Was presented by General Lafayette with a Masonic
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Apron made by Madame Lafayette.
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1785 - February 12. Walked in the Masonic procession at the funeral
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of Brother William Rams, at
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Alexandria, Virginia.
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1789 - April 30. Inaugurated as President of the United States, and
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took the oath of office on the Bible belonging to St. John’s Lodge
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No. 1, New York City, New York.
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1791 - April 15. Visited Newbern, North Carolina, and was welcomed
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by the Freemasons of St. John’s Lodge No. 2, “with the mystic
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numbers,” and attended a ball in the evening.
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1791 - Mat. While on a visit to Charleston, South Carolina, was
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greeted by General Mordecai Gist.
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Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina, who extended the
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greetings of that Grand Lodge.
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1793 - September 18. Acting as Grand Master “pro tem,” laid the
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Cornerstone of the United States Capital, at Washington, D.C.
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1794 - Late in this year Alexandria Lodge received and accepted the
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Masonic Portrait of Washington, painted by Williams of Philadelphia,
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Pennsylvania, on order of the Lodge, and for which Washington
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sat while in the city some time in the latter part of 1793, or early
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part of 1794.
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1797 - March 28. Received a delegation from Alexandria Lodge and
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accepted an invitation to be present in Alexandria, April 1st.
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1797 - April 1. Attended Alexandria Lodge, and, at the banquet,
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proposed the toast, “The Lodge of Alexandria and all Masons
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throughout the World.”
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Buried Masonically, at Mt. Vernon, December 18, 1799, Alexandria
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Lodge, No.22.
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(The above facts taken from Brother William L. Boyden’s “Masonic
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Presidents, Vice-Presidents and signers).
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Librarian of the A.A.S.R. Southern Jurisdiction.
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Minutes of: “The Lodge of Fredricksburg” (now Fredricksburg Lodge
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No.4):
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4th Novbr Charles Lewis George Washington
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3rd March George Washington pass’d fellow Craft
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4th August 5753 Which Day the Lodge being Assembled - Present:
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R. Wpl. Daniel Campbell Transactions of
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I. Neilson, S.W. Evening Are:
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Rot. Haslkerson, J.W. George Washington
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(sic) rais’d
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James Strakan Master Mason
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Alex’r Wodrow, Secretary pro Temp.
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Thoms. Robertson Thomas James
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William McWilliam, Treasr. Entd an Apprentice
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RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR FREDRICKSBURG LODGE (Adopted 1769)
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1. That the meetings in course be the first Friday of every month,
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from March to September at 6 o’clock in the evening; and from
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September to March at 5 o’clock in the afternoon.
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2. Every member of the Lodge shall pay three Shillings
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Quarterly for expenses thereof. Visit. at last day, Midsummer,
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Michaelmas and Christmas - extra Expenses to be defrayed by such
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members as present on these occasion.
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3. Every new made Brother shall pay the Fee of three Pistoles for
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being admitted to the First degree. The fee of one Pistole for
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being Passed to the Second and the same sum on being Raised to the
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Third. These Fees must be received the night of his admission,
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passing, or raising, or the Brothers who recommend to be
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responsible for them.
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4. Any Brother not made in this Lodge, Petitioning to become a member
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thereof, shall upon his being received as such (after due
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examination) pay the Fee of one Pistole. But Brethren made here
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may become members without further Fee than that of their
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admission.
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5. No Visiting Brother is to be admitted without due Examination,
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unless vouched for by a Brother present; nor more than once
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without paying One Shilling and Three Pence.
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6. No person to be admitted to become a Mason in this Lodge under the
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age of twenty-one years on any account whatever, being Contrary to
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the Constitutions of Masonry, nor without the unanimous Consent of
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the Lodge by Ballot.
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7. All Fees and Quarterages to be paid to the Treasurer for the time
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being. His Acc’t to be Annually examined and Balanced on the
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Night his office expires,
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THE CHARTER GIVEN TO ALEXANDRIA LODGE BY THE GRAND LODGE OF
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VIRGINIA, DATED APRIL 28, 1788. Edm. Randolph: G.G.
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TO ALL AND EVERY to whose knowledge these presents shall come.
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Greetings:
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WHEREAS, It has been duly represented to us, that in the County of
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Fairfax, and Borough of Alexandria, in the Commonwealth of
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Virginia, there reside a number of Brethren of the Society of
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Freemasons, who have assembled as a Lodge agreeably to the
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Regulations of Masonry by the Title of the Alexandria Lodge, and
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it appearing to be for the good and increase of the Fraternity
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that the said Brethren should be encouraged to proceed and work,
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as heretofore they have done in a Regular Lodge.
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KNOW YET, That we, EDMUND RANDOLPH, ESQ. Governor of the
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Commonwealth aforesaid, and Grand Master of the Most Ancient and
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Honorable Society of Freemasons, within the same, by and with the
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consent of the Grand Lodge of Virginia, do hereby Constitute and
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Appoint our Illustrious and Well-beloved Brother, GEORGE
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WASHINGTON, ESQ, late General and Commander-in-Chief of the
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forces of the United States of America, and our worthy brethren,
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Robert McCrea, William Hunter, Jr., and John Allison, Esq.,
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together with all such other brethren as may be admitted to
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associate with them, to be a just, true and regular Lodge of
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Freemasons, by the name, title and designation of the Alexandria
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Lodge, No.22.
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And further do hereby appoint and ordain, all regular Lodges to
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hold and acknowledge, and respect them, as such; hereby granting
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and committing to them, and their successors full power and
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authority to assemble and convene as a regular Lodge, to enter and
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receive Apprentices, pass Fellow-Crafts, and raise Master Masons,
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according to the known and established customs of ancient Craft
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Masonry, and No otherwise, and also to elect and choose Masters,
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Wardens, and other officers, annually, at such time or times as to
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them shall seem meet and convenient; and to exact from their
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members such compensation as they shall judge necessary for the
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support of their Lodge , the relief of their brethren in distress,
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and contribution towards the Grand Charity, and agreeably to the
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Book of constitutions and the laws of the Grand Lodge of Virginia,
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and recommending to the brethren aforesaid, to receive and obey
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their Superiors in all things lawful and honest as becomes the
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honor and harmony of Masons, and to record in their books this
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present Charter with their own regulations and by-laws, and their
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whole acts and proceedings, from time to time, as they occur, and
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by no means desert their said Lodge hereby constituted, or form
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themselves into separate meetings, without the consent and
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approbation of their Master and Wardens for the time being. All
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which, by acceptance hereof, they are holden and engaged to
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observe; and the brethren aforesaid are to acknowledge and
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recognize the Grand Master and the Grand Lodge as their Superiors,
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and shall pay due regard and obedience to all such instructions
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as they have received or hereafter shall receive from thence.
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And, lastly, they are requested to correspond with the Grand
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Lodge, and to attend the meetings thereof, by their Master and
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Wardens, or their proxies being Master Masons and members of their
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said Lodge.
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GIVEN under the Seal of the Grand Lodge at Richmond, in the State
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of Virginia, the 28th day of April, A.L. 5788, A.D. 1788.
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By the Grand Master’s Command
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William Waddell
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Grand Secretary
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______________
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COLUMBIAN MIRROR AND ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE OF SEPTEMBER 23, 1793
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Georgetown, September 21, 1793
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On Wednesday, one of the Grandest Masonic processions took place for
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the purpose of laying the corner-stone of the Capitol of the United
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States, which perhaps, was ever exhibited on the like important
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occasion. About ten o’clock, Lodge No.9 was visited by that
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congregation so graceful to the Craft, Lodge No.22 of Virginia, with
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all their officers and regalia; and directly afterwards appeared on
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the southern banks of the grand river Potomac, one of the finest
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companies of Volunteer Artillery that has been lately seen, parading
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to receive the President of the united States, who shortly came in
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sight with his suite, to whom the artillery paid their Military
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Honors, and his Excellency and suite crossed the rive and was
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received in Maryland by the officers and brethren of No.22 Virginia
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and No.9, Maryland, whom the President headed, proceeded by a band of
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music; the rear brought up by the Alexandria Volunteer Artillery,
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with Grand Solemnity of March, proceeded to the President’s Square,
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in the city of Washington, where they were met and saluted by No.15,
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of the City of Washington, in all their elegant badges and clothing,
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headed by Brother Joseph Clarke, Rt. Wor. G.M. p.t. and conducted to
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a large lodge prepared for the purpose of their reception. After a
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short space of time, by the vigilance of Brother Clotworthy
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Stephenson, Grand Marshal, p.t., the brotherhood and other bodies
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were disposed in a second order of procession, which took place
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amidst a brilliant crowd of spectators of both sexes, according to
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the following arrangement, viz.:
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The Surveying Department of the City of Washington
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Mayor and Corporation of Georgetown, Virginia Artillery.
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Commissioners of the City of Washington.
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Stone-Cutters - Mechanics.
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Masons of the first Degree.
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Bible, etc. on Grand Cushions.
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Deacons, with staffs of Office.
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Masons of the Second Degree.
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Stewards, with wands.
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Masons of the Third Degree.
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Wardens, with truncheons.
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Secretaries, with tools of office..
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Past Masters, with their Regalia.
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Treasurers, with their Jewels.
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Band of Music.
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Lodge No.22, Virginia, disposed in their own order.
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Corn, Wine, and Oil.
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Grand Master, pro tem. Brother George Washington. and Worshipful
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Master of No.22, of Virginia. Grand Sword Bearer.
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The procession marched two abreast, in the greatest solemn dignity,
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with music playing, drums beating, colors flying, and spectators
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rejoicing from the President’s Square to the Capitol, in the City of
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Washington, where the Grand Marshal ordered a halt, and directed each
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file in the procession to incline two steps, one to the right and one
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to the left, and face each other, which formed a hollow oblong
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square, through which the Grand Sword Bearer led the van; followed by
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the Grand Master pro tem, on the left, the President of the united
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States in the center, and the worshipful Master on No.22, Virginia,
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on the right; all the other orders that composed the procession
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advanced in the reverse of their order of march from the President’s
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Square to the southeast corner of the Capitol, and the Artillery
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filed out to a destined ground to display maneuvers and discharge
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their cannon. The President of the United States, the Grand Master
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pro tem, and the Worshipful Master of No.22, taking their stand to
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the east of the large stone, and all the Craft forming a circle
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westward, stood a short time in solemn order.
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The Artillery discharged a volley. The Grand Marshal delivered the
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commissioner a large silver plate, with an inscription thereon, which
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the Commissioners ordered to be read, and was, as follows:
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“This southeast Corner-Stone of the Capitol of the United States of
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America in the City of
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Washington, was laid on the 18th day of September, 1793, in the
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thirteenth year of American
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Independence, in the first year of the second term of the Presidency
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of George Washington, whose
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virtues in the civil administration of his country have been as
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conspicuous and beneficial as his
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military valor and prudence have been useful in establishing her
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liberties, and in the year of
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Masonry 5793, by the President of the United States, in concert with
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the Grand Lodge of
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Maryland, several Lodges under its Jurisdiction, and lodge No.22 from
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Alexandria, Virginia. Thomas Johnson, David Steuart and Daniel
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Carroll, Commissioners, Joseph Clark, R.W.G.M. pro tem,., James
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Hobam and Stephen Hallate, Architects.”
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Collin Williamson, Master Mason.
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The Artillery discharged a volley. The Plate was then delivered to
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the President, who, attended by the Grand Master pro tem., and three
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Most worshipful Masters, descended to the cavazion trench and
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deposited the plate, and laid it on the corner-stone of the Capitol
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of the United States if America, on which were deposited corn, wine,
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and oil, when the whole congregation joined in reverential prayer,
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which was succeeded by Masonic chanting honors, and a volley from the
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Artillery.
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The President of the United States, and his attendant brethren,
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ascended from the carazion to the East of the corner-stone, and there
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the Grand Master pro tem., elevated on a triple rostrum, delivered an
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oration fitting the occasion, which was received with brotherly love
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and commendation. At intervals during the delivery of the oration
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several volleys were discharged by the Artillery. The ceremony ended
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in prayer, Masonic chanting honors, and a 15-volley from the
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Artillery.
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The whole company retired to an extensive booth, where an ox of five-
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hundred pounds weight was barbecued, of which the company generally
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partook with every abundance of other recreation. The festival
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concluded with fifteen successive volleys from the Artillery, whose
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military discipline and maneuvers merit every commendation. Before
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dark the whole company departed with joyful hopes of the production
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of their labor.
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_______________
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SOME QUOTATIONS FROM WASHINGTON’S MASONIC LETTERS.
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December 28, 1783, to Alexandria Lodge No. 39:
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I shall always feel pleasure when it may be in my power to render
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service to Lodge No.39, and in every act of Brotherly kindness to the
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Members of it.
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June 19, 1784, to the same:
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With pleasure I received the invitation of the Master and Members of
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Lodge No.39, to dine with them on the approaching anniversary of St.
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John the Baptist.
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If nothing unforseen at present interferes, I shall have the honor
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of doing it.
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August 22, 1700, to King David’s Lodge, Newport, Rhode Island:
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Being persuaded that a just application of the principles, on which
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the Masonic Fraternity is founded,
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must be promotive of private virtue and public prosperity, I shall
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always be happy to advance the
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interests of the Society, and to be considered by them as a deserving
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brother.
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1791, to St. John’s Lodge, Newbern, N.C.
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My best ambition having ever aimed at the unbiased approbation of my
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fellow citizens, it is peculiarly pleasing to find my conduct so
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affectionately approved by a Fraternity whose association is founded
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on justice and benevolence.
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1791. To Prince George’s Lodge No.16, Georgetown, South Carolina.
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I am much obliged by your good wishes and reciprocating them with
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sincerity, assuring the Fraternity of my esteem, I request them to
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believe that I shall always be ambitious of being considered a
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deserving Brother.
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Response to an address of Charleston, South Carolina, Masons.
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The fabric of our freedom is placed on the enduring basis of public
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virtue, and will, I fondly hope, long continue to protect the
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prosperity of the architect who raised it. I shall be happy on every
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occasion, to evince my regard for the Fraternity.
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1792. To the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.
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At the same time, I request that you will be assured of my best
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wishes and earnest prayers for your happiness while you remain in
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this terrestrial Mansion, and that we may thereafter meet as brethren
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in the Eternal Temple of the Supreme Architect.
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Response to the dedication in the constitution Book of the Grand
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Lodge of Massachusetts:
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It is most fervently to be wished, that the conduct of every member
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of the Fraternity, as well as the publications that discover the
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principles which actuate them, may tend to convince mankind that the
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great object of Masonry is to promote the happiness of the human
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race.
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MASONIC DEDICATIONS TO WASHINGTON The Pennsylvania Ahiman Rezon of
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1783:
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To His Excellency. GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esq,. General and Commander in
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Chief of the Armies of the United States of America; In “Testimony,”
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as well as his exalted Services to his Country, as of that noble
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Philanthropy which distinguishes Him among Masons, the following
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Constitutions of the Most Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of “Free
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and Accepted Masons,” by order and in behalf of
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the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, &c. is dedicated, By his
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Excellency’s Most humble servant and faithful Brother,
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William Smith, G. Secretary.
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The Constitutions of the Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of
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Free and Accepted Masons in the State of New York; Collected
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and digested by Order of the Grand Lodge of said State (printed
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in 1789).
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To His Excellency, GEORGE WASHINGTON, Esq. In testimony, as well as
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o his exalted Services to his Country, as of his distinguished
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Character as a Mason, the following book of constitutions of the most
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antient and honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, by
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order and in behalf of the GRAND LODGE of the State of New York, is
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dedicated, By His Most Humble Servant,
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JAMES GILES, G. Secretary, A.L. 5785Virginia New Ahiman Rezon of
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1791:
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To George Washington, Esq., President of the United States of
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America. The Following Work is Most Respectfully Dedicated by His
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Obedient. and Devoted Servant, THE EDITOR.
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The Massachusetts “Book of Constitutions,” (printed in 1792 and
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1798):
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In Testimony of His Exalted Merit, And of Our inalienable Regard,
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THIS WORK IS Inscribed and Dedicated to our Illustrious BROTHER
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GEORGE WASHINGTON;
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The Friend of Masonry, Of His Country, and Of Man.
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