D. Stevenson was elected Grand

Master.
The first Royal Arch Chaptei was convened in 1850, and the GKAND CHA.PTEE of the State was organized May 6, 1854.
The GRAND COMMANDEBT, Knights Templar, was founded August 10, 1858.
CANADA. The first lodges in Canada worked under charters from the Grand Lodges of England, Scot- land, and Ireland. The first Lodge in Quebec was organized by author- itv of a warrant from St. John's
GENERAL HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
35
Graad Lodge, of Boston, Massa- chusetts. October 16, 1855, a con- vention assembled in the city of Hamilton; forty-three lodges were represented, when the subject of an independent organization was calmly discussed, and resolutions adopted, setting forth the circum- stances and necessities of a distinct organization. When the convention adopted a Constitution and elected Grand officers, William Mercer Wilson was elected and installed Grand Master. The newly-formed Grand Lodge, however, did not immediately receive the recognition of all the lodges of Canada, and, beside, the Grand Lodge of England showed an unwillingness to sur- render her authority. In this un- happy state of affairs, several bodies, claiming partial or absolute juris- diction, arose, and much confusion prevailed until 1858, when all dis- sensions happily expired, and the Order in Canada became harmo- niously united under one head.
The GRAND ROYAL AKCH CHAPTEE of Upper Canada was organized August 27, 1818.
CHILI. The first Masonic Lodge in Chili was constituted about 1840, under charter from the Grand Orient of France. But little is known of it, as it was closed during the political struggle of the republic shortly after it opened. A second commenced its work with a charter from the Grand Orient of France in 1851. A third began with a dispensation from the Grand Lodge of California, working in the York rite, and in the English language; it war, kept at work one year and then closed. Four other lodges were subsequent- ly established there — two from the Grand Orient of France, and two from the Grand Lodge of Massa- chusetts. April 20, 1862, repre- sentatives iroin four lodges met at Valparaiso, in convention, and or- ganized a Grand Lodge for the republic. This Grand Lodge has four lodges under its jurisdiction, and the Grand Lodge of Massachu- setts two, to one of which is attached a Royal Arch Chapter. There is also one Lodge acknowledging the jurisdiction of the Grand Orient
of France. The Supreme Council of the 33d degree of the Ancieni and Accepted Scottish rite for the Southern jurisdiction of the United States, whose East is at Charleston, has instituted bodies of that rite in several parts of the country.
COLOMBIA, NEW GRANADA. Masonry was first established in this republic about the year 1820. The Grand Orient was founded at Car- thagenia, June 19, 1833.
COLORADO. Masonry was in- troduced into this territory in 1859. August 2, 1861, a convention was held in Golden City, by representa- tives from the three lodges then at labor in the territory, and organized a Grand Lodge. J. M. Chivington was elected the first Grand Master.
COLUMBIA, DISTRICT OF. Free- masonry was introduced into the District of Columbia by. warrants from the Grand Lodges of Maryland and Virginia. The GRAND LODGE was established by a convention oi delegates from the lodges in the district, December 11, 1810. Valen- tine Reintzel was elected first Grand Master.
The Royal Arch Chapters belong to the Grand Chapter of Maryland.
The Commanderies of Knights Templar were organized 1825 and 1862, by warrants from the Grand Encampment of the United States.
CONNECTICUT. The introduc- tion of Freeemasonry into this State occurred November 12, 1750, by authority of a warrant from the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. The GRAND LODGE was organized July 8, 1789, by a convention o' delegates from fifteen lodges. Pier pont Edwards was elected and in- stalled Grand Master.
The GRAND CHAPTER was organ- ized May 17, 1798; Ephraim Kirby was elected Grand High-Priest.
The GRAND COUNCIL of Royal and Select Masters organized 1819.
The GKAND COMMANDEBY, Knights Templar, organized Sept 13, 1827.
CUBA. Freemasonry was intro- duced into Santiago de Cuba, in 1805. by patent from Count de Graspe, Sov. Grand Inspector General. A Grand Consistory was established
3(5 •
rtBNERAL HISTORY OF FIJEEMASOXKY.
in 180G Since that period Masonry has had but a i'eeblo existence, by reason of the hostility of the Spanish tuthorities of the island. The Sym- bolic Grand Lodge, at Santiago, under the title of the Grand Lodge of Colon, was organized Dec. 5, 1859, by the delegates from the three lodges then working in Cuba. Of the earlier history of Freema- sonry on this island but little is known. The Ancient and Accepted nte is the acknowledged system of work in the jurisdiction.
DELAWARE. The precise date of the introduction of Freemasonry into this State is not generally known. The lodges, prior to 1806, were held under warrants from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. The SRAND LODGE for the State was organized June 6, 1806.
The GRAND CHAPTER of Koyal Arch Masons was established Jan. 19, 1818.
DENMARK. Freemasonry was first introduced into Denmark, at Copenhagen, in 1743, by authority of a warrant from the Grand Lodge at Berlin. In 1745 a warrant was obtained from Lord Cranstouu, Grand Master of England, to estab- lish a Lodge. In 1749 another warrant was obtained from the Grand Lodge of England. From this time lodges multiplied with great rapidity. In 1792, the Land- grave, Charles of Hesse, assumed the title and duties of Grand Master of all the lodges in the kingdom, and thus Freemasonry became a recognized institution of the govern- ment. After the death of Charles the Crown Prince, subsequently King Christian VIII. , assumed the protectorship of the Danish lodges.
DOMINICANA. The establish- ment of Freemasonry in this repub- lic was during the year 1845. The Grand Orient was organized at the city of St. Domingo, December 11, 1858.
ECUADOR. Of the introduction of Freemasonry into this republic little is known. In 1857 the Grand Orient of Peru issued charters for a symbolic Lodge, and a chapter of the- 18fb de ~™en* in Guayaquil, which
prospered for about two years, and until the political agitations of th« country, and the fierce opposition of the priesthood, compelled the brethren to close their lodges and return their charters to the parent body. There are at the present time (1866) no Masonic bodies in the republic. The Supreme Coun- cil of the Ancient and Accepted rite of the Southern jurisdiction of the United States has issued the ne- cessary authority for establishing bodies of the rite in this republic.
ENGLAND. The precise time of the introduction of Freemasonry into England, or Britain, is uncer- tain. There is intermingled so much of fable with the early accounts of the settlement of that island that no one of the present day can dis- tinguish between the romance and the truth. All history sustains the assumption that its introduction began during the early part of the third century, and was conveyed there by the numerous bands of traveling artisans who perambulated every section of the country where their services could be employed. The first organization of Masons as a distinctive body occurred about A. D. 300, under the protection of the Emperor Caraucius, who conferred many privileges on the Masons; granted them a charter, and ap- pointed Albanus, a distinguished Koman general, their Grand Master. Under the auspices of Caraucius he labored earnestly for the prosperity of the Craft; convened the annual assemblies, settled the fundamental constitutions; revised the ritual of the Order, and procured them em- ployment and increased wages. Masonry flourished with varied suc- cess until the year 926, when King Athelstane became King oi England. This king loved and encouraged the Masons, and made his brother Edwin overseer of the Craft, and granted them a ctoarter. "Accordingly, Prince Edwin sum- moned all the Masons in the realm to meet him in a convention at York, who came and composed a General Lodge, of which he was Grand Master; and having brought with them all the writings and
GENERAL HISTORY OF FKKKMASONKY.
records extant, some in Greek, some in Latin, some in French and other languages, from the contents thereof that assembly did frame the consti- tution and charges of an English Lodge." From this era we may date the reestablishment of Masonry in England. For a long time the Grand Lodge at York exercised Masonic authority over all England, and until 1567, when the Masons in the southern part of the island as- sembled at a Grand Convention, and elected Sir Thomas Gresham, the distinguished merchant, as Grand Master. There were now two Grand Masters in England, who assumed Distinctive titles; the Grand Master of the North (York) being called "Grand Master of all England," while he who presided in the South (London) was called "Grand Mas- ter of England." Notwithstanding this new appointment of a Grand Master in the South, the General Assembly continued to meet in the city of York, where all the ancient and valuable Masonic records were kept; and to this assembly appeals were made on every important occa- sion. Masonry flourished and was remarkably prosperous until the early part of the eighteenth century, when, in consequence of the civil war that agitated the country, it became neglected, and fell into de- cay, pa-ticularly in the south of England. Sir Christopher Wren, the Grand Master in the reign of Queen Anne, had become aged, infirm, jvnd inactive, and hence the grand assemblies were entirely ne- glected. The old Lodge of St. Paul, and a fe v others, continued to meet regularly, but consisted of few mem- bers. To increase their members, a proposition was made, and agreed to, that the privileges of Masonry should i a longer lie restricted to oper- ative Masons, but extend to men of various professions, provided they were regitiarly approved and initiated into the Order. This is the period when the institution was changed from the operative to the speculative character. In consequence of this resolution many new regulations were established, and the society once more rose into notice and es-
teem. The assembly above alluded to did not fully reestablish the Grand Lodge of England, but advised that the holding an annual feast should be revived, and that the Grand Mas- ter, according to custom, should be chosen. Accordingly, in the third year of the reign of George I. , on St. John the Baptist's day, 1717, the annual assembly and feast were held, and Mr. Anthony Sayer was re- gularly proposed and elected Grand Master. Out of respect to the four old lodges, the only bodies then existing in London, the privileges which they had always possessed under the old organization were reserved to them. The two Grand bodies of York and London kept up a friendly intercourse, and mutual interchange of recognition, until the Grand Master of the latter body, in 1734, granted two warrants of con- stitution to a number of Masona who had seceded from the former. This unfriendly act was at once condemned by the Grand Lodge at York, and produced a disruption of the harmony that had long subsisted between them. Three years later, in 1738, some disagreeable- alterca- tions arose in the Order. A number of dissatisfied brethren separated themselves from the regular lodges, held meetings in different places, for the purpose of initiating persons into Masonry, contrary to the laws of the Grand Lodge. The seceding brethren, taking advantage of the breach between the Grand Lodges of London and York, assumed, without authority, the appellation of "Ancient Masons." These irre- gular proceedings they pretended to justify under the feigned sanction of the Ancient York Constitutions. They announced that the old land- marks were alone preserved by them; that the regular lodges had adopted new plans, sanctioned in- novations, and were not to be considered as working under the old system; they were, therefore, branded with the title of "Modern Masons. " They established a new Grand Lodge in 1739, in the city oi London, under the name of tut-. ' ' Grand Lodge of Aneieut York Masons," and, persevering in tu«
38
GENERAL HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
measures adopted, formed commit- tees, held communications, and appointed annual feasts. Under the fals« appellation of the York banner, they gained the recognition of the Masons of Scotland and Ire- land, who, believing the representa- tions made to them, heartily joined iu condemning the measures of the regular lodges in London, as tend- ing, in their opinion, to introduce novelties into the society, and to subvert the original plan of Ma- sonry. The two Grand Lodges continued to exist, in opposition to each other, to the great scandal of the Fraternity, until the year 1813, when, by the united efforts of the Duke of Sussex, who was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge termed Moderns, and the Duke of Kent, who was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge . known as the Ancients, the two bodies were happily united with great solemnity, under the style and title of " The United Grand Lodge of Ancient Freemasons of England. " In no part of the world is Freema- sonry more prosperous or respected than in England.
FLORIDA. The earliest record of the existence of Freemasonry in Florida, that we can trace, is that a Lodge of Ancient York Masons was organized in the city of St. Augus- tine, under a warrant granted by the Grand Lodge of the State of Georgia, about the year 1806, to St. Fernando Lodge. But no certain information can be obtained on the subject from the records of the Grand Lodge of Georgia, as a part of the archives of that Grand Lodge, from 1805 to 1817, were destroyed by the great fire which occurred in the city of Savannah, about the year 1818. This Lodge worked, and made Masons, until the year 1811, when it was suppressed by a mandate ot the Spanish government. Notwithstand- ing this pointed opposition to Ma- sonry, a few faithful spirits cherished in their hearts a love for the insti- tution, and, in the year 1820, ob- tained from the Grand Lodge of South Carolina a warrant for a Lodge to work in the city of St. Augustine, under the style of " Flo- ridan Virtues Lodge, No. 28." But
such was the still prevailing hostility of the Spanish authorities, and from other causes, its existence was not long preserved. The next Lodge, of which we have any knowledge, was a Mark Master's Lodge, called "Union Mark Lodge," established in St. Augustine, in 1822, under a warrant from the Hon. DeWitt Clinton, General Grand High-Priest of the General Grand Chapter of the United States. This Masonic body worked for a short time only, owing, perhaps, to the fact that there was no symbolic Lodge in _ existence in that city, to furnish it with material for work ; and to the further fact that Masonry, at that time, had not recovered from th effects of the church prejudices and influences. In 1824 another appli- cation was made to the Grand Lodge of South Carolina, by the constitu- tional number of Master Masons, for a warrant to establish a Lodge entitled "Esperanza Lodge," at St. Augustine. This Lodge, which worked in the Spanish language, became estinct after one year, by the removal of the greater portion of its members to Havana. Its warrant was surrendered to the Grand Lodge, whence it was re- ceived. From this time there was no organized Masonry in East Flo- rida, until the establishment of a Lodge in the city of Tallahassee, by a warrant from the Grand Lodge of Alabama, under the title of Jackson Lodge, about the year 1826. The second Lodge was organized in the town of Quincy, by waiTaut from the Grand Lodge of Tennessee, un- der the title of Washington Lodge, and the third from the Grand Lodge of Georgia, under the title of Har- mony Lodge, in the town of Mariana. On the 5th of July, 1830, delegates from the three lodges in Florida as- sembled in the city of Tallahassee, for the purpose of organizing a Grand Lodge for the Territory of Florida. After regularly organizing the convention, the necessary reso- lutions were adopted, and July 6 the Grand Lodge was legally organized, the Grand Officers elected and duly installed. Brother John P. Duva), the oldest Past Master present, was
GENERAL HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY.
elected tho first Grand Master Since this period Masonry has flourished in Florida with remark able vigor and permanency.
The GRAND CHAPTER of Roya Arch Maso">; was organized Jan. llj 1847. This Grand Chapter has ever been an independent body — not acknowledging the authority o: the General Grand Chapter of the United States.
The GBAND COUNCIL of Roya' and Select Masters was organized in January, 1852.
FRANCE. The first Lodge founded in France was at Dunkirk, October 13, 1721, and was called "Friendship and Fraternity;" and %bout the same time another al Mous, called "Perfect Union." In 1726 Lord Derwentwater established the first Lodge at Paris; it had about five hundred members, and met at a restaurant kept by one Hurre ; two others were founded in 1729, and a fourth in 1732, in which the Duke of Aumont was initiated, and which, on that account, took his name. In 1735 Lord Derweutwater received a patent from England, constituting him Provincial Grand Master, which powers he subsequently transferred to his friend Lord Hamouester. In 173C the four lodges in Paris founded a Provincial Grand Lodge, under the authority of England, and placed Lord Hamouester at th-s head. In 1738 he was succeeded by the Duke D' An tin, who presided until his death, in 1743, when the Count de Clermont was elected, at which period the body assumed the title of 'English Grand Lodge of France." At this time an effort was made to suppress the Fraternity, and Louis