Chapter 3

"With unspeakable pleasure we gratulate "you as filling the presidential chair with the "applause of a numerous and enlightened people "Whilst at the same time we felicitate ourselves "in the honor done the brotherhood by your many "exemplary virtues and emanations of goodness "proceeding from a heart worthy of possessing "the ancient mysteries of our craft; being persuaded "that the wisdom and grace with which heaven "has endowed you, will square all your thoughts, "words, and actions by the eternal laws of honor, "equity, and truth, so as to promote the advancement "of all good works, your own happiness, and that "of mankind.

"Permit us then, illustrious Brother, "cordially to salute you with three times three "and to add our fervent supplications that the "sovereign architect of the universe may always "encompass you with his holy protection.

"MOSES SEIXAS[28] _Master_ "New Port Augt 17, 1790. _Committee_. "HY SHERBURNE "By order "WM LITTLEFIELD, _Secy._"

Brother Moses Seixas was born in New York, March 28, 1744; died in New York City, November 29, 1809. He was a merchant in Newport, Rhode Island, and one of the founders of the Newport Bank of Rhode Island, of which he was cashier until his death. He succeeded Brother Moses M. Hays as Worshipful Master of King David's Lodge at Newport. He was also the first Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island. It was Moses Seixas who addressed a letter of welcome in the name of the Jewish congregation to GEORGE WASHINGTON when the latter visited Newport, and it was to him that WASHINGTON's answer was addressed.

The Town Hall at Newport being out of repair at that time the ancient Jewish Synagogue on the main street was used, upon that and several other public occasions. It is an interesting fact that this sacred edifice is still preserved in the same condition as it was during the Colonial period.

So far as known this address was the first of Masonic import made to WASHINGTON as President. Unfortunately, the exact date of presentation and receipt of his answer is not known to a certainty, as there does not appear to be any date upon either the original documents or the copies in WASHINGTON's letter book.

The original address and WASHINGTON's reply to the Master, Wardens and Brethren of King David's Lodge in Newport, the latter signed in autograph by WASHINGTON, are in the Athenæum collection at Boston, Massachusetts.[29]

Following copy of the President's answer is taken from his letter book.[30] Both address and answer in the letter book are in the handwriting of Major William Jackson, secretary to the President.

A photostat of the original entry is in the Archives of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. It will be noted that there is neither place nor date given.

=FAC-SIMILE OF REPLY TO KING DAVID'S LODGE, NO. 1, NEWPORT, R. I. LETTER BOOK II, FOLIO 29.=

President WASHINGTON arrived at Newport, R.I., at eight o'clock on Tuesday morning, August 17, 1790. On the next day, Wednesday, the President and his suite left on the Packet "Hancock" at nine o'clock in the morning for Providence.

His company consisted of Governor Clinton of New York, Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State, Senator Theodore Foster, Judge Blair, Mr. Smith of South Carolina and Mr. Gorman of New Hampshire; members of Congress.[31]

WASHINGTON left Providence, Saturday, August 21, and arrived in New York upon the following day, Sunday, August 22, 1790,[32] and sent the following reply to the Newport Brethren:

"TO THE MASTER, WARDENS, AND BRETHREN OF "KING DAVIDS LODGE IN NEWPORT RHODE ISLAND."

"_Gentlemen_,

"I receive the welcome which you "give me to Rhode Island with pleasure, and I "acknowledge my obligations for the flattering "expressions of regard, contained in your address, "with grateful sincerity.

"Being persuaded that a just "application of the principles, on which the Masonic "Fraternity is founded, must be promotive of "private virtue and public prosperity, I shall "always be happy to advance the interests of "the Society, and to be considered by them as "a deserving brother.

"My best wishes, Gentlemen, "are offered for your individual happiness."[33]

"Go. Washington"

=FAC-SIMILE OF NOTICE SENT TO BROTHER WASHINGTON AT MOUNT VERNON TO ATTEND HIS LODGE. TREASURED BY THE WIFE OF PRESIDENT MADISON UNTIL HER DEATH. ORIGINAL IN ARCHIVES OF GRAND LODGE OF PENNSYLVANIA. MSS. VOL. A, FOLIO 81.=

Footnotes:

[27] A copy of the Extracts from the Records of King David's Lodge, No. 1, as made by Ara Hildreth, Esq., is in the Archives of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, Mss. Volume Q, R.I. 7.

Cf. also a verified copy of the Minute in "Proceedings of the Anti-Masonic Republican Convention of Massachusetts, Boston, 1832," p. 22.

[28] _Vide_ "The Jews and Masonry in the United States," by Samuel Oppenheim, New York, 1810, p. 22 _et seq._

[29] Cf. "Catalogue of the Washington Collection in the Boston Athenæum," Boston, 1897, p. 331.

[30] Letterbook II, p. 29.

[31] Cf. "Washington after the Revolution," W. S. Baker, Philadelphia, 1898, p. 192.

[32] Cf. _Pennsylvania Packet_, August 30-31 1790.

[33] Copy of Address in Letter Book II, pp. 27-28, Photostat of same in Archives of Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.

V

CORRESPONDENCE WITH ST. JOHN'S LODGE, NO. 2 AT NEWBERN, N. C., APRIL, 1791.

The next Masonic letter of President WASHINGTON was written, in answer to an address by the brethren of St. John's Lodge, No. 2, at Newbern, North Carolina, during his southern tour in 1791.

April 7, 1791, WASHINGTON started on a tour through the Southern States, by way of Fredericksburg, Richmond, and Petersburg, Virginia; Halifax, Tarborough, Newbern, and Wilmington, North Carolina; Georgetown, and Charleston, South Carolina; and Savannah, Georgia.

When advice of this proposed presidential visit reached Newbern, the brethren of St. John's Lodge, No. 2,[34] at the stated meeting held on April 1, 1791, passed the following resolution. "_Resolved_, that an address shall be presented to Brother GEORGE WASHINGTON, in behalf of this Lodge, on his arriving in this town."[35]

Upon his arrival at Newbern, N. C., April 20, following address was presented to the President,[36] which, together with the reply, has thus far never been in print or noted:

"TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

"The Address of St Johns Lodge No. 2 of Newbern.

"_Right Worshipful Sir_,

"We the Master, Officers, and Members of St. "Johns Lodge No 2, of Newbern, beg leave to hail "you welcome with three times three.

"We approach you not with the language of "adulation, but sincere fraternal affection--your "works having proved you to be the true and faith- "ful brother, the skilful and expert Craftsman, the "just and upright man, But the powers of elo- "quence are too feeble to express with sufficient "energy the cordial warmth with which our bosoms "glow toward you.

"We therefore most ardently wish, most fervently "and devoutly pray, That the Providence of the "most high may strengthen, establish, and protect "you, in your walk through this life; and when you "shall be called off from your terrestrial labours by "command of our divine grand master, and your "operations sealed with the mark of his approbation, "may your soul be eternally refreshed with the "streams of living water which flow at the right "hand of God, and when the supreme architect of "all worlds shall collect his most precious jewels as "ornaments of the celestial Jerusalem, may you "everlastingly shine among those of the brightest "lustre.

"We are in our own behalf, and that of the "Members of this Lodge,

"Right worshipful Sir; "St Johns Lodge No. 2. "Your true and faithful brethren "April 20th 5791. "ISAAC GUION _Master_. "SAMUEL CHAPMAN _Senior Warden_. "WILLIAM JOHNSTON, _Junior Warden_. "SOLOMON HALLING, EDW. PASTEUR, JAS CARNEY, "F. LOWTHROP. "_Members of the Committee_."

=FAC-SIMILE OF ADDRESS FROM ST. JOHN'S LODGE, NO. 2, NEWBERN, N. C. LETTER BOOK II, FOLIO 47-48.=

Brothers: Isaac Guion, Worshipful Master, Samuel Chapman, Senior Warden, William Johnston, Junior Warden, and Solomon Halling, signers to above petition had all seen service in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Brother Guion served as Surgeon and Paymaster; Brother Chapman, Captain in 8th North Carolina, serving until the close of the War; Brother Johnston, Captain in North Carolina Militia and present at Kings Mountain.

Brother Hailing was Surgeon of the 4th Carolina Regiment and served until the close of the War.

WASHINGTON'S REPLY[37] TO THE BRETHREN OF ST. JOHN'S LODGE.

"TO THE MASTER, WARDENS, AND MEMBERS OF ST "JOHN'S LODGE NO. 2 OF NEWBERN.

"_Gentlemen_,

"I receive the cordial welcome which you "are pleased to give me with sincere gratitude.

"My best ambition having ever aimed at "the unbiassed approbation of my fellow-citizens, "it is peculiarly pleasing to find my conduct "so affectionately approved by a fraternity whose as- "sociation is founded in justice and benevolence.

"In reciprocating the wishes contained "in your address, be persuaded that I offer a sincere "prayer for your present and future happiness.

"Go. Washington"

"At the following Meeting of St. John's Lodge, No. 2, April 29, 1791, the Master laid before the Lodge the answer of Brother George Washington ordered that it be read, which being done, Resolved that it be entered on Minutes of this Lodge."[38] "The Address to Brother Washington and his answer are both on the Minutes of the Lodge. The original letter may have been lost during the late unpleasantness, as the Lodge lost nearly everything it possessed."[39]

Footnotes:

[34] In the latter part of the eighteenth century, St. John's Lodge, No. 2, at Newbern, was very active, at which time it built a two-story theatre and Masonic Hall, and took part in a number of local matters.

[35] Extract from Minutes by Brother J. F. Rhem, M.D., Newbern, N. C.

[36] Letter Book 2, pp. 47-48 in Library of Congress, Washington, D. C.; photostat in Archives of Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.

[37] _Ibid._, p. 49; photostat in Archives of Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.

[38] Extract from Minutes by Brother J. F. Rhem, M.D., Newbern, N. C.

[39] Brother J. F. Rhem, Newbern, N. C., in letter to Brother A. B. Andrews, Jr., December 14, 1914.

VI

CORRESPONDENCE WITH PRINCE GEORGE'S LODGE, NO. 16, GEORGETOWN, S. C., APRIL, 1791.

WASHINGTON left Newbern, North Carolina, under an escort of horse, April 22, 1791, and arrived at Georgetown, South Carolina, by way of Wilmington, N. C., Saturday, April 30, where he was received with a salute of cannon, and by a company of infantry, and during the afternoon was presented with the following address, by a Committee of Prince George's Lodge, No. 16 (Moderns), of Georgetown, South Carolina.

This Lodge was one of the original six Lodges, which had been warranted prior to 1756 in South Carolina, under the Jurisdiction of the Provincial Grand Lodge, and through it, the Grand Lodge of England. It is the only instance where a Lodge of the "Moderns" addressed Brother WASHINGTON:

"TO OUR ILLUSTRIOUS BROTHER GEORGE WASHINGTON.

"_President of the United States._

"At a time when all men are emulous to approach "you to express the lively sensations you inspire as "the Father of our country. Permit us the Brethren "of Prince George's Lodge No. 16 to have our share "in the general happiness in welcoming you to "Georgetown, and the pleasure of reflecting that we "behold in you the liberator of our country. the "distributor of its equal laws, and a Brother of our "most ancient and most honorable Order.

"At the same time indulge us in congratulating "you on the truly honorable and happy situation in "which you now stand, as the Grand Conductor of "the political interests of these United States.

"Having by your manly efforts caused the beau- "teous light of liberty to beam on this western hemi- "sphere, and by the wisdom Heaven has graciously "endowed you with established the liberties of "America on the justest and firmest basis that was "ever yet recorded in the annuals of history, you "now enjoy the supremest of all earthly happiness "that of diffusing peace, liberty, and safety to mil- "lions of your fellow-citizens.

"As a true reward for your patriotic, noble and "exalted services we fervently pray the Grand Archi- "tect of the universe long to bless you with health, "stability, and power to continue you the Grand "Pillar of the arch of liberty in this vast empire, "which you have been so eminently distinguished in "raising to this pitch of perfection at which we now "behold it.

"May the residue of your life be spent in ease "content and happiness, and as the Great Parent of "these United States may you long live to see your "children flourish under your happy auspices and "may you be finally rewarded with eternal happiness.

"We conclude our present address with a fervent "wish that you will continue as you have hitherto "been, the friend of our ancient and honorable "Order, and of all worthy Masons.

"I. WHITE "R. GRANT _Committee from_ "AB. COHEN _Prince George's Lodge._ "JOS. BLYTH. "J. CARSON.

"George Town 30th April 1791."

Of the above signers, three of the brethren had served in the War for Independence, viz.: Brother Isaac White, Lieutenant in North Carolina Militia at Kings Mountain; Brother Reuben Grant, Ensign in the 6th North Carolina Infantry, and Brother Joseph Blythe, Surgeon in 1st North Carolina Regiment, taken prisoner at Charleston, May 12th, 1780; exchanged June 14, 1781; in 4th North Carolina in February, 1782, and served to close of war.

=FAC-SIMILE OF ADDRESS FROM THE BRETHREN OF PRINCE GEORGE'S LODGE, FOLIO NO. 16, GEORGETOWN, SOUTH CAROLINA, APRIL, 1791. LETTER BOOK II, 59-60.=

The following reply unfortunately bears no date. Both address and reply were entered in Washington Letter Book, No. II, folio 60-61. It is not known what has became of the originals. No notice or copies of either of the above documents have thus far been published.

WASHINGTON'S REPLY.

"TO THE BRETHREN OF PRINCE GEORGE'S LODGE, NO. 16.

"_Gentlemen_:

"The cordial welcome which you give me "to George Town, and the congratulations, you are "pleased to offer on my election to the chief "magistracy receive my grateful thanks.

"I am much obliged by your good wishes "and reciprocate them with sincerity, assuring the "fraternity of my esteem, I request them to believe "that I shall always be ambitious of being considered "a deserving Brother.

Go. Washington

=GENERAL MORDECAI GIST.

B. BALTIMORE, MD., 1743. D. CHARLESTON, S. C., 1792.

WHO, AS GRAND MASTER OF SOUTH CAROLINA, SIGNED THE ADDRESS TO BROTHER WASHINGTON.=

VII

CORRESPONDENCE WITH GRAND LODGE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, MAY, 1791.

President WASHINGTON left Georgetown at six o'clock in the evening, May 1, 1791, reaching Charleston, South Carolina, Monday, May 2, in a twelve-oared barge rowed by twelve American captains of ships accompanied by a great number of boats with gentlemen and ladies in them, and two boats with music.[40] Brother WASHINGTON remained in Charleston until May 9.

Wednesday, May 4, 1791, General Mordecai Gist, an old companion in arms of WASHINGTON, and formerly Master of the Military Lodge in the Maryland line (No. 27 upon the register of Pennsylvania),[41] but now Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ancient York Masons of South Carolina, attended by the other present and past grand officers,[42] waited on their beloved brother, the president of the United States, and presented the following address:[43]

"_Sir_--Induced by a respect for your public and private character, as well as the relation in which you stand with the brethren of this society, we the Grand Lodge of the State of South Carolina, Ancient York Masons, beg leave to offer our sincere congratulations on your arrival in this state.

"We felicitate you on the establishment and exercise of a permanent government, whose foundation was laid under your auspices by military achievements, upon which have been progressively reared the pillars of the free republic over which you preside, supported by wisdom, strength, and beauty unrivalled among the nations of the world.

"The fabric thus raised and committed to your superintendence, we earnestly wish may continue to produce order and harmony to succeeding ages, and be the asylum of virtue to the oppressed of all parts of the universe.

"When we contemplate the distresses of war, the instances of humanity displayed by the Craft afford some relief to the feeling mind; and it gives us the most pleasing sensation to recollect, that amidst the difficulties attendant on your late military stations, you still associated with, and patronized the Ancient Fraternity.

"Distinguished always by your virtues, more than the exalted stations in which you have moved, we exult in the opportunity you now give us of hailing you brother of our Order, and trust from your knowledge of our institution, to merit your countenance and support.

"With fervent zeal for your happiness, we pray that a life so dear to the bosom of this society, and to society in general, may be long, very long preserved; and when you leave the temporal symbolic lodges of this world, may you be received into the celestial lodge of light and perfection, where the Grand Master Architect of the Universe presides.

"Done in behalf of the Grand Lodge.

"M. GIST, G. M."[44]

"Charleston, 2d May, 1791."

To this address WASHINGTON returned the following reply.[45]

"_Gentlemen_:--I am much obliged by the respect which you are so good as to declare for my public and private character. I recognize with pleasure my relation to the brethren of your Society, and I accept with gratitude your congratulations on my arrival in South Carolina.

"Your sentiments, on the establishment and exercise of our equal government, are worthy of an association, whose principles lead to purity of morals, and are beneficial of action.

"The fabric of our freedom is placed on the enduring basis of public virtue, and will, I fondly hope, long continue to protect the prosperity of the architects who raised it. I shall be happy, on every occasion, to evince my regard for the Fraternity. For your prosperity individually, I offer my best wishes."

"Go. Washington"

This letter was probably destroyed with other Grand Lodge property when Columbia, South Carolina, was burned by Sherman's Army during the war between the States.[46]

Fortunately, the original draft of WASHINGTON's reply, was found among the Washington papers now in the Library of Congress. This is written upon two pages of a letter sheet: the first page shows a paragraph which was suppressed and did not appear upon the clear copy sent to the Grand Lodge of Ancient York Masons of South Carolina.

A photostat of this draft is in the collection of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, viz.:

"TO THE GRAND LODGE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH "CAROLINA ANCIENT YORK MASONS.

"_Gentlemen_,

"I am much obliged by the respect "which you are so good as to declare for my "public and private character. I recognise "with pleasure my relation to the Brethren "of your Society--and I accept with gratitude "your congratulations on my arrival in "South Carolina.

"_Your felicitations It is peculiarly general "pleasing to observe the ^ satisfaction expressed "on the establishment and exercise of the "federal government_-- "Your sentiments on the establishment "and exercise of our equal government are "worthy of an association, whose principles "lead to purity of morals, and beneficence "of action--The fabric of our freedom "is placed on the enduring basis of "public virtue, and will long continue "to protect the Posterity of the architects "who raised it.

"I shall be happy on every regard "occasion to evince my respect for the "Fraternity, for whose happiness individually "I offer my best wishes.

"Go. Washington"

=FAC-SIMILE OF DRAFT OF WASHINGTON'S REPLY TO ADDRESS FROM GRAND LODGE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, MAY, 1791.

HANDWRITING OF MAYOR WILLIAM JACKSON.=

Upon the first page the four lines commencing with "Your felicitations" and ending with "federal government" were crossed out, and as above stated, were not in the reply sent to R. W. Grand Master Gist and his officers.

In the third line from the bottom the word "regard" is substituted for "respect."

Brother Gist was the original Warrant Master of the Regimental Lodge in the Maryland line, No. 27, on the Roster of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. After the war, Brother Gist settled in Charleston, South Carolina, retaining his old Military Warrant, and, in 1786, applied to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, to renew this warrant, for a Lodge to be located at Charleston under the same number. This request was granted, and Brother Gist was again named as Warrant Master.

At the formation of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina Ancient York Masons in 1787, Brother Gist was elected Deputy Grand Master and served as such during the years 1787-88-89, and as Grand Master, 1790-1791.

Footnotes:

[40] Washington's Diary.

[41] Cf. "Old Masonic Lodges in Pennsylvania," Philadelphia, 1913, Vol. 2, p. 53 _et seq._

[42] Brother William Drayton, Past Grand Master; Brother Mordecai Gist, Grand Master; Brother Thomas B. Bowen, Deputy Grand Master; Brother George Miller, Senior Grand Warden; Brother John Mitchell, Junior Grand Warden; Brother Thomas Gates, Grand Chaplain; Brother Robert Knox, Grand Treasurer; Brother Alexandrer Alexander, Grand Secretary; Brother Israel Meyers, Grand Tiler.

[43] _City Gazette_, Friday, May 6, 1791, p. 2, column 4.

[44] For full account of Lodge 27 and Brother Gist, _vide_ "Old Masonic Lodges of Pennsylvania," before quoted, Vol. II, pp. 53-63.

[45] Cf. Hayden, "Washington and his Masonic Compeers," p. 135.

[46] William C. Mazyck, Right Worshipful Grand Secretary, G. L. of South Carolina.

VIII

CORRESPONDENCE WITH GRAND LODGE OF GEORGIA, MAY, 1791.

On the way from Charleston, South Carolina, to Savannah, Georgia, WASHINGTON called on Mrs. Greene, the widow of late Brother General Nathaniel Greene, at her plantation called Mulberry Grove, reaching Savannah, Georgia, on the evening of Thursday, May 12, 1791.

Saturday, May 14, WASHINGTON was waited on by Brethren of the Grand Lodge of Georgia and presented with the following address:[47]

"TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

"_Sir, and Brother_,

"The Grand Master, Officers and Members of the "Grand Lodge of Georgia, beg leave to congratulate "you on your arrival in this city. Whilst your ex- "alted character claims the respect and deference of "all men, they from the benevolence of masonic prin- "ciples approach you with the familiar declaration "of fraternal affection.