C. H. Curtis was Grand Master, and Albert Woodson was Grand Secretary.

See the printed proceedings of the various sessions of the Grand Lodge of Mass. See the history of Freemasonry in the United States among Colored Men by J. N. Conna of Connecticut together with the Published statements of a number of other Grand Lodges and they all emphatically state and agree in language that is not uncertain, that the first Grand Lodge of Colored Masons organized in the State of Mass. was African Grand Lodge of Modern Masons which was organized with only one Lodge and that was on the 24th day of June 1791 at Boston Mass. There cannot be any doubt by any Masonic scholar or student in this day or time nor there can be any uncertainty in the manner by the officers and members of any well regulated and lawful Grand Lodge of Freemasonry in the whole world, but that the establishing of African Grand Lodge of Modern Masons of Mass. on the 24th of June 1791 with only one Lodge but that it is a clandestine spurious and irregular body for it has been since the year of 1717 that well established Masonic law of Freemasonry that it requires not less that three warranted Lodges to organize a regular Grand Lodge. The Masonic authorities on that proposition both in this country and Europe are uninformed and no Grand Lodge has ever been recognized as being a legal Grand Lodge that has been organized with a less number than three warranted lodges. The Name of the African Grand Lodge of Massachusetts was Changed to the Name of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Mass. in 1808. After the Death of Prince Hall which occurred in the year of 1807, at the session held in the year of 1808 the name of African Grand Lodge of Modern Masons of Massachusetts was changed to the name of Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Modern Masons of Mass. Judging from the rapid and numerous changes of position as soon as a cloud appeared among the so-called bogus Masons and an spurious Grand Lodge of Mass. some of the Masonic writers and followers and members of the bogus Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Mass. when they where exposed and shown up and dislodged from one untenable position they have jumped from one position to another. On the 24th of June 1791 they called themselves Modern Masons, in 1847 they called themselves Compact Masons, in 1880 they styled themselves as Free and Accepted Masons. We may expect at any time to hear of those Masonic imposters and shams of Mass, belonging to that notorious self constituted Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Mass. giving themselves another title and name at any time. London England Freemasonry Hall Office of the Grand Sec. London England, May 10, 1874. To John G. Jones, Esq., Grand Secretary, Dear Sir and Bro:-- On the 27th of December of 1873 I addressed you a letter which I hope will reach you in due time giving you the information that you seek concerning a Lodge that was said to have belonged to the Grand Lodge of England in General Gages Military Regiment that was in the United States of America. As I stated to you in my former letter that there was no Masonic Lodge in General Gages Military Regiment in the United States and I beg to state to you and the brethren in your country as to a provincial Grand Master by the Grand Lodge of England. Any person having such papers claiming to be such is a fraud. I enclose you a copy of a letter that I addressed to Mr. B. F. Rogers of Springfield Ill., who is Grand Master of your State. I trust this will supply you with all the information that you desire. Yours Fraternally, John Hervey, Grand Sec'y. London England, Freemason Hall Office of the Grand Sec. London England, May 4th, 1875. Mr. B. F. Rogers, Grand Master of Masons of the State of Ill. My very Dear Sir and Bro:-- Your letter was received. I take pleasure in stating to you that in the latter part of December 1873 I forwarded a letter to Bro. John G. Jones of Chicago who is Grand Secretary of your Grand Lodge in which I gave him the information that you now desire. I now beg to say to you that the Grand Lodge of England never had any Masonic Lodge in General Gages Military Regiment whose occupation was in the United States at the time that you mentioned nor has our Grand Lodge any record of any such appointment as Prince Hall to be Provincial Grand Master in the United States. If any such appointment is presented and claims to have been made by the Grand Lodge of England you are at liberty to deny it, and give the same information if you wish to the craft in the United States as we do not wish our Grand Lodge to be misrepresented. Yours fraternally, John Hervey, Grand Sec'y. Lawyer John G. Jones 33, Sov. Grand Commander, Paris, France, Nov. 4th. 1907. Illustrious Sir and Bro: Your letter reached me on yesterday and many thanks. You will kindly remember me to all brethren in Chicago. I like America better than I do this country, or the places that I have been in since I left Chicago probably that is owing to the fact that having been born and reared in Chicago I feel more at home. But the French people, and particularly those that are members of Masonic fraternity, are very pleasant and kind. I visited one Lodge last night and last week I visited the consistory of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. Before you are admitted in any of the Masonic bodies, here you are required to stand a very rigid examination, you know about what that is. There is no prejudice in this section of the country against man because he may be of a dark complexion, in all of my travels the Masonic body of which you are the head of in America among colored Masons is the only one that is known and recognized in this part of the country where I have been. We will go to London, England, next week. I will write you when I get there. Yours Fraternally, H. S. COLLINS, 33, London, England, Nov. 28th. 1907. Illustrious John G. Jones, 33, Grand Master of Masons of Illinois. Very Dear Brother--We arrived here last week and will remain here probably for a month. Will you kindly see Bro. Geo. Standwood, the Secretary of Chicago Lodge No. 5, and pay him my dues to the Lodge? We will be in Chicago the latter part of February, 1908. I have much to tell you when I get home. I visited the Masonic Lodges since I have been here and was treated with the utmost courtesy. The diploma from my Lodge and Consistory that you signed has been a great service and benefit to me. I hear your name quite highly spoken of by the members of the Masonic Fraternity this side of the Atlantic ocean. The Lodges and Masons that you are connected with in America among colored Masons are the only ones that are recognized over here. Yours Fraternally, H. S. COLLINS, 33. CAN ONE MASONIC LODGE ASSUME THE FUNCTION OF A GRAND LODGE? Some one might ask the question can only one lodge assume the functions of a Grand Lodge? The answer to that must be emphatically No, and whatever Lodge assumes the functions of a Grand Lodge then such Grand Lodge is unlawful and irregular. See Mackey's Masonic Jurisprudence, see Mitchell's Authority on Masonic Law, see Chase and Preston on Masonic Law and they all agree that one Lodge cannot assume the function of a Grand Lodge. BOGUS PRINCE HALL GRAND LODGE OF MASSACHUSETTS NEVER HAS BEEN HEALED. In order to place the matter before the Masonic fraternity some one might inquire and ask the question that since the time that African Grand Lodge of Modern Masons of Massachusetts was organized with only one Lodge. On the 24th of June. 1791, which is now the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts have they ever been healed and legally Masonically set right? The answer to that is that they have not and only a short time ago they admitted by saying that they had never been healed, and Masonically set right, and that being true they were established in an unlawful manner and are clandestine and irregular Masons to this very day, and I challenge them to present any proof to the contrary. CAN A SUBORDINATE LODGE GRANT A LICENSE OR CHARTER TO ORGANIZE ANOTHER LODGE? THEY CANNOT. In order to justify the irregular and unlawful Masonic work that has been done in the State of Massachusetts by the Colored men who belong to the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts they attempt to justify their actions by saying that it was legal and lawful for African Lodge No. 459 to grant a license or charter to organize another Lodge and they have published in a circular of two cases of that kind that occurred in the year 1625. I have taken particular pains to thoroughly investigate the cases that they referred to and no such actions of that kind was ever done by any Masonic Lodge in the places that they referred to. All the Masonic authorities, both in this country and Europe, have made it plain how a Masonic Lodge could be organized and it must be done by the authority of a Grand Lodge. No intelligent Mason and no genuine and regular Mason, either Black or White, in the whole world, can find any authority or precedent where one Subordinate Lodge can grant a charter to another Subordinate Lodge. The Following Excerpt of a Letter From Ill. John G. Jones, of Chicago, Ill., Relative to Law Suit Pending in the District of Columbia Between the Old Compact Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia and the Legitimate Grand Lodge A. F. & A. Masons of Which Bro. H. C. Scott is Grand Master Shows That the Question at Issue is Purely a Local Matter and Does Not in Any Way Affect Any Other Grand Lodges in This Country and Shows Conclusively That the Claims Made by W. H. Grimshaw Amount to Nothing. Chicago. Ill., Dec. 2, 1908. Bro. Charles L. Mitchell, 33, Grand Master. The law suit between the two Grand Lodges in the District of Columbia is as follows: The Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia that Bro. H. C. Scott is the Grand Master of, over two years ago commenced a law suit against the old Compact Grand Lodge in the District of Columbia to prohibit them from using the word "ancient" the old Compact Grand Lodge in the District of Columbia filed a cross bill and saying that they were the first Grand Lodge in the District of Columbia to use the word "ancient" and Judge Wright of the Equity Court in giving his opinion rules and held that the old Compact Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia was entitled to use the word "ancient" and enjoined the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia that Bro. H. C. Scott is the Grand Master of from using the word "ancient" and Bro. Scott and his Grand Lodge has appealed the case to the Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia where they can get justice in the matter. The law suit is a local matter between the two Grand Lodges In the District of Columbia which does not in the least or in any manner whatever affect any other Grand Lodge in this country and does not alter or affect the Masonic legal status of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia that Bro. H. C. Scott is the Grand Master of except using the word "ancient" of which I am satisfied that the higher court will reverse the decision of Judge Wright in the matter. PRINCE HALL AND HIS ASSOCIATES MADE MASONS WITHOUT ANY CHARTER OR AUTHORITY. According to the statements made and published by the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, that from March the 16th, 1775 to 1787, that African Lodge had no charter of any kind, and still in the face of all of that we find that Prince Hall, Boston Smith, Thomas Sanderson of Massachusetts, conferred the degrees of Free Masonry upon certain men without any charter or without any authority whatever and still they wish to call themselves regular Masons. CLANDESTINE, SPURIOUS AND UNLAWFUL NATIONAL COMPACT GRAND LODGE OF MASONS OF NORTH AMERICA THAT WAS ORGANIZED AT BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ON THE 24th OF JUNE, 1847. For many years past a great deal has been said and written about the establishing of the Irregular and Illegitimate National Compact Grand Lodge of Masons that was organized without a shadow of Masonic power and authority in 1847 at Boston, Massachusetts and of all of the absurd and ridiculous ideas which have ever incorporated itself in the minds of any man who is a Mason there seems nothing so utterly weak and imbecile as the doctrine that is advocated by the followers and adherents of that Clandestine National Compact Grand Lodge which was founded upon everything that was irregular and clandestine and predicated upon fiction fables and falsehoods, these and nothing else. The numerous statements that have been made and are being made now by the exponents of the National Compact Grand Lodge purporting to be genuine and historical, are solely unreliable and cunning inventions of their own devised for the purpose of misleading the people. On the 24th of June, 1847, at Boston, Mass., John T. Hilton, Grand Master, Henry Harris, William Bruce, of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, and James Bird, John G. Bias, James Richmond, of the African Grand Lodge of North America, with its headquarters at Philadelphia, Pa., and the Hiram Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, represented by James Newman, John Anderson, Samuel Brackles, Phillip Buckhammond and several others from the Hiram Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, and from the Boyer Grand Lodge of New York was William H. Clark, Lewis Hayden, Alexander Elston, together with several others, met in Boston, Mass., and organized the National Compact Grand Lodge of North America. They elected John T. Hilton, of Boston, Mass., National Grand Master, and William E. Ambush was elected National Grand Secretary. This National Compact Grand Lodge of North America has done nothing but breed dissension among Colored Masons in the United States. From its earliest period of existence down to the present date, and it has never been recognized as a regular and legal Masonic Grand Body and never will as long as intelligent men have their right senses about them. THE GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND HAS NEVER RECOGNIZED THE PRINCE HALL GRAND LODGE OF MASSACHUSETTS. If it was true that the Grand Lodge of England granted a charter to African Lodge No. 459 at Boston, Mass., on Sept. 29th, 1784, and this same African Lodge organized the African Grand Lodge of Modern Masons of Massachusetts on the 24th of June, 1791, which now is the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, what was the matter or cause and reason that the Grand Lodge of England has failed and refused to recognize the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts? It must be self apparent to every intelligent Mason that it shows and proves conclusively that the Grand Lodge of England never did grant a Charter to African Lodge No. 459 at Boston, Mass., as the leaders of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts would try to have you believe. Who in the world ever heard of a Grand Lodge granting a charter to a Subordinate Lodge and then refusing to recognize the very Lodge that the Grand Lodge granted them a charter? It is the most ridiculous and absurd statement I ever beard of. It certainly shows that the Grand Lodge of England never at all granted a charter to African Lodge No. 459. On the 29th of Sept., 1784, and the officers of the Grand Lodge of England say that they did not and all the talk about a commission having been granted to Prince Hall as a Provincial Grand Master in America by the Grand Lodge of England stamps the whole thing from beginning to the end as a manufactured statement, a fraud and a sham. TWO WHITE MASONIC GRAND LODGES IN ENGLAND, ONE ORGANIZED IN 926 AND THE OTHER ORGANIZED IN 1739. The first Grand Lodge organized among the White Masons of England was organized at the City of York, England, in the year of 926, and the second White Grand Lodge of England was organized at London, England, in the year of 1739. See Mackey's Encyclopedia of Masonry; see Mitchell's History of Freemasonry; see the Voice of Freemasonry published in Chicago in the month of June, 1867. The members that composed the second White Grand Lodge of England when it was organized in 1739 was made up of expelled Masons from the first Grand Lodge of England that was organized in the year of 926, and the second irregular and unlawful Grand Lodge of England that was organized at London, England, in the year of 1739 is the same Grand Lodge. R. Holt was Deputy Grand Master, and William White was the Grand Secretary, and it was from this second irregular and unlawful Grand Lodge of England that the African Lodge No. 459 claims that they secured their charter from. In all fairness if the Grand Lodge of England granted a charter to African Lodge No. 459 at Boston, Mass., it being a clandestine Grand Lodge, it would follow beyond all dispute that African Lodge No. 459 at Boston, Mass., was unlawful and clandestine Lodge. Although the Grand Lodge of England has said they did not grant any charter to African Lodge at Boston, Mass. PRINCE HALL GRAND LODGE OF MASSACHUSETTS HAS NEVER PRESENTED OR SHOWED THE CHARTER OF AFRICAN LODGE, TO ANY PERSON. For many years the members of the Masonic fraternity have asked to see the charter of African Lodge No. 459. That Prince Hall Grand Lodge members of Massachusetts say that they had in their possession, and when committees after committees have called and asked for to see it they have been denied the opportunity and that one time they said in Boston, Mass., to the committee that the charter had been destroyed by fire, and another time they told the committee that they could not find the charter. Don't you think and believe that if they had a charter for African Lodge in Massachusetts that they would have that historical Lodge on their roll in their printed proceedings? If you can find the name of African Lodge in any of the Masonic printed proceedings of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts it is more than any body else can find. See and read the printed Masonic proceedings of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, and see if you can find the name of African Lodge printed there? PRINCE HALL GRAND LODGE OF MASSACHUSETTS IS NOT RECOGNIZED BY THE GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND. Bro. John G. Jones, 33, Grand Master of Masons of Illinois, London, Eng., Dec. 20th, 1907. Dear Sir and Brother--We have remained here in London, England, longer than we intended to, and since writing to you I have made a visit to Dublin, Ireland. A large number of people in Dublin, Ireland, are doing fairly well, but from time to time there is a large number of people there leaving and going to United States. The other day I went to the Masonic headquarters here in London, England, to find out and investigate for myself if the Grand Lodge of England recognized the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts as I had always heard that our Masonry in America among Colored people came from Grand Lodge of England and the officials of the Grand Lodge of England who were very courteous to me took the occasion to inform me that the Grand Lodge of England does not recognize or affiliate with the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. How is that Bro. Jones, that some of the Colored Masons keep saying in America that they got their charter from the Grand Lodge of England, when the Grand Lodge of England says that they do not recognize the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, and it was at Boston, Mass., that the Colored Masons in Massachusetts have stated that they got a charter for a Lodge from the Grand Lodge of England? I want nothing more to do with any of the members that belong to the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. Our Colored brethren in United States should be informed about this matter. Yours Fraternally, H. S. COLLINS, 33. THIS IS WHAT MAKES THE PRINCE HALL GRAND LODGE OF MASSACHUSETTS SPURIOUS AND CLANDESTINE. 1--Prince Hall, Boston Smith, Thomas Sanderson and their associates of Boston, Mass., could not have been made Master Masons in a Lodge in General Gages Military Regiment on the 6th day of March, 1775, at Boston, Mass., for General Gages Military Regiment was not in the United States at that time. 2--Prince Hall of Boston, Mass., never was appointed provincial Grand Master in the United States by the Grand Lodge of England. 3--The Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts having connected itself with the spurious National Compact Grand Lodge of North America in 1847 surrendered all of its rights if it had any as a Grand Lodge. 4--The White Masonic Grand Lodge of England that African Lodge No. 459 obtained a charter from was a clandestine and unlawful Grand Lodge of Modern Masons in England. 5--The Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts styles themselves as Modern Masons and Modern Masons are those Masons who refused to follow and adhere to the ancient laws, rules and regulations and the landmarks of Freemasonry. Those Modern Masons are Masonic innovators. JOHN G. JONES, 33. Grand Master of Masons of Illinois. EXTRACTS FROM THE PROCEEDINGS AND SOME OF THE DECISIONS OF THE VARIOUS MASONIC CONGRESSES AND NATIONAL MASONIC CONVENTION HELD AMONG THE COLORED MASONS IN THE UNITED STATES SINCE AUGUST 11th, 1820. Chicago, Ill., April 8, 1908. To All Whom This May Concern, Greeting: The management of the International Masonic Bureau of Information of the world wishes to state that we have devoted much time and labor in collecting this much needed information which gives the time and place as well as the decisions and also a brief account of the proceedings of the various general Masonic congresses and National Masonic Convention that has been held among the Colored Masons in the United States of America since June 11th, 1820. THE FIRST NATIONAL CONVENTION OF COLORED MASONS OF UNITED STATES HELD JUNE 11th, 1820, AT PHILADELPHIA, PA. A resolution was adopted recommending to the Grand Lodges that it was unlawful and un-Masonic for any subordinate Lodge or Grand Lodge to meddle with the degrees of Royal Arch Masons. The convention after some other Masonic discussions adjourned. SECOND NATIONAL CONVENTION OF COLORED MASONS IN THE UNITED STATES HELD AT BOSTON, MASS., JUNE 24th, 1847. John T. Hilton, Wm, A. Bruce, Henry Harris of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, James Richmond, James Bird, Samuel Van Brackle, Phillip Buchanan, John Anderson, James Powell of Pennsylvania, and Alexander Elston, Wm. H. Clark of New York issued a call for National Masonic Convention to meet in Boston, Mass., June the 24th, 1847, and it was agreed and they did organize the National Compact Grand Lodge of North America. John T. Hilton of Boston, Mass., was elected M. W. N. Grand Master Wm. E. Ambush was elected National Grand Secretary. This National Grand Lodge of North America adopted a constitution claiming and exercising power and authority over every Grand Lodge of Masons in each state in the United States and Canada. This National Compact Grand Lodge in violation of all Masonic law proceeded to issue charters to Grand Lodges in the United States which was a Masonic law and rule that they adopted that was unheard of among Masons of any nationality in any country or any land. This National Compact Grand Lodge sowed the seed of discord and dissension among Colored Masons in this country whose record has covered one of the blackest pages in Masonic history. This National Compact Grand Lodge continued to meet and elect officers for some years thereafter placing heavy assessments upon subordinate Lodges and Grand Lodges throughout the country. THIRD NATIONAL CONVENTION OF COLORED MASONS HELD IN UNITED STATES WAS AT NEW YORK CITY OCT. 12th, 1848. James Barnett, Jacob Gibbs and several others of New York State called a National Masonic Convention to meet in New York City, Oct. 12, 1848. James Barnett was elected president of the convention. Arnold Hicks offered a series of resolutions which was adopted bitterly denouncing the National Compact Grand Lodge of North America that was organized at Boston, Mass., June 24th, 1847. He claimed that the whole National Compact Grand Lodge was a fraudulent and unlawful organization. Chas. Hooten offered a resolution which was adopted that the organization of African Grand Lodge of Modern Masons of Massachusetts, June the 24th, 1791, at Boston, Mass., with only one Lodge that such Grand Lodge was irregular and unlawful. The Grand Lodge representative system was discussed and properly outlined in the convention and each Grand Lodge was requested to follow the same by an exchange of Grand representatives with each Grand Lodge. A resolution was also adopted and the convention decided that the Masonic law watch had been strictly adhered to by all regular Masons that whenever a Grand Lodge for a State was organized that it required not less than three warranted Lodges to assemble in a Masonic convention for that purpose. FOURTH NATIONAL CONVENTION OF COLORED MASONS OF UNITED STATES WAS HELD AT LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS, JULY 10th, 1869. Frank Caldwell offered a resolution to the effect which was adopted that it is the sense of this convention that the establishing of Freemasonry among Colored Masons in the United States at Boston, Mass., was unauthorized and irregular and that the pretending of the organization of African Grand Lodge of Modern Masons of Boston, Mass., June the 24th, 1791, was unwarranted and clandestine. THE FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF COLORED MASONS OF UNITED STATES WHICH CONVENED IN CHICAGO, AUGUST 10th, 1872. A resolution was offered by W. R. Lawton and adopted that a committee of five (5) be appointed by the president of this congress to investigate the correct origin and genuineness of Freemasonry among the Colored Masons in the United States at Boston, Mass. President W. C. H. Curtis appointed on the committee W. R. Lawton, of Missouri, John G. Jones of Chicago, B. F. Rogers of Springfield, Ill., Jos. H. Banks of Providence, R. I., H. D. Vena of Detroit, Mich. To the President and Members of the General Masonic Congress: The undersigned committee that was appointed to investigate the origin and the legal conditions of Freemasonry among our race in the State of Massachusetts now submit their report. Your committee wishes to be understood that we have taken considerable time in a thorough examination of the matter and we have searched diligently to ascertain the truth regardless of whom it may please or displease. 1--We find that the establishing of the African Grand Lodge of Modern Masons in Massachusetts among the Colored men on June the 24th, 1791, at Boston, Mass., that the whole work was irregular, unlawful and contrary to Masonic law. The names of the Grand officers that were elected at the organization of this spurious and irregular African Grand Lodge of Modern Masons of Massachusetts on June 24th, 1791, was as follows: Prince Hall Grand Master, Nero Prince, Deputy Grand Master, Cyrus Forbes, Grand Secretary, Peter Best, Grand Treasurer. 2--Your committee have investigated and made searching inquiry to find who took part in the organization of the African Grand Lodge of Modern Masons among the colored Masons at Boston, Mass., on June the 24th, 1791, and it appears from the records as well as the delegates from Massachusetts who admit and confirm the same that there was only one Lodge and that was African Lodge No. 459 that participated in the organization of the African Grand Lodge of Modern Masons that was organized June 24th, 1791, at Boston, Mass., such organization of the Grand Lodge is in open violation of Masonic laws and we cannot indorse or approve the same. Your committee finds according to the statements of the delegates from Massachusetts that since the time of the organization of the African Grand Lodge of Modern Masons in the State of Massachusetts which occurred June 24th, 1791, that no steps or effort had been made or taken by the officers and members of the African Grand Lodge of Modern Masons of Massachusetts to have said Grand Lodge Masonically legalized and set right. Your committee is wholly unable to find or secure any genuine information that even a charter was ever granted by the Grand Lodge of England for the establishing of African Lodge No. 459 at Boston, Mass. Your committee has investigated various printed proceedings of the African Grand Lodge of Massachusetts which name was changed in the year of 1808 to the name of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, and we cannot find the name of African Lodge No. 459 printed in any of the Grand Lodge proceedings of Massachusetts. Your committee is unable to find or be placed in the possession of any genuine information that would lead the committee to believe that there was ever a charter granted by the Grand Lodge of England to Prince Hall and his associates at Boston, Mass. Your committee finds further that the so-often repeated statement made by some of the less informed brothers of our race that the color line and prejudice had been the cause in the State of Massachusetts and other places throughout the country and especially in the northern states in the refusal of some of the White Grand Lodges of Masons in denying us recognition was not based on account of color but it was predicated solely upon the grounds that the origin of Freemasonry among the Colored Masons in the State of Massachusetts was unlawful and irregular. Committee: JOHN G. JONES, of Illinois, W. R. LAWTON, of Missouri, B. F. ROGERS, of Illinois, H. D. VENA, of Michigan, J. H. BANKS, of Rhode Island. The above named committee report was adopted forty-one to ten. THE SIXTH NATIONAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF COLORED MASONS OF THE UNITED STATES WAS HELD AT OMAHA, NEB., MAY THE 10th, 1874 The Sixth National General Assembly of Colored Masons of the United States convened at Omaha, Neb., May the 10th., 1874. Delegates were present from the States of Pennsylvania, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Tennessee, Missouri, Colorado, New York and Kansas. John G. Jones of Chicago was elected president of the congress. E. R. Overall of Omaha, was elected secretary. Wm. D. Mathews, Grand Master of King Solomon Grand Lodge, of Kansas, applied for admission to the convention and was refused on the grounds that his Grand Lodge was irregular and clandestine. THE MOTHER OF ALL THE COMPACT AND STATE RITES IN THE UNITED STATES. Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts Colored Masons, Spurious Followers in New York State Come to Grief. A case has been decided in the law court at Charlotte, New York State that has created intense interest in the Masonic circles among Colored Masons in several of the States last week, and the Colored Grand Lodge of New York, which was first started some years ago by the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, met an overwhelming defeat and was routed at every point. The Grand Lodge of the State of New York commenced a law suit at Charlotte, N. Y., against several Masons representing the Hiram Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Pennsylvania to prevent them from organizing lodges in the State of New York under the authority of the Hiram Grand Lodge of the State of Pennsylvania. The case came up before Judge Laverty and was bitterly contested, and after an argument of a whole day by counsel representing both sides Judge Laverty rendered his decision that after investigating the matter thoroughly that the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts that was organized many years ago, was an illegal and irregular Grand Body, and that the Grand Lodge in the State or New York having had lodges established in New York State that organized lodges from the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts that established the Grand Lodge of New York that it was an unlawful Grand Lodge, and that the Hiram Grand Lodge of Colored Masons of the State of Pennsylvania was a lawful and regular Grand Body. The Hiram Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania was organized formerly of chartered lodges from the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia. And the M. W. Grand Lodge A. F. and A. M. of the District of Columbia, held her warrant of constitution, power and authority from the White Grand Lodge Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the Republic of Romania, Germany. This warrant was granted to Hon. H. C. Scott 33 degree G. M. in 1895, he was the first and only Colored man in the United States of America to ever receive a lawful and regular warrant from any White Grand Lodge of Masons of foreign jurisdiction, and is now healing and setting Masonically right the Colored Masons in the United States of America. What have the so-called State Rites got to say about this verdict, coming from the mouth of such an able jurist of the Empire State. Our people have been and are being robbed out of thousands of dollars by these bogus Masons in this and other States. Done at Masonic headquarters this first day of December, 1908. San Antonio, Texas. Ninth Question--What is meant by the word and title of A. F. & A. Y. Masons? Ninth Answer--A. F. & A. Y. Masons means Ancient, Free and Accepted York Masons, the city of York is in the north part of England, it is celebrated for its traditional connection with Freemasonry in England. The first charter granted in England to the Masons as a body was by authority and power of King Athelstan, in the year of 926 at York, England, and the application was made by Prince Edwin and Prince Edwin summoned all the Masons in England to meet him in congregation at the City of York, England, and from this assemblage of Masons at York the letter "Y" originated. Prince Edward was elected Grand Master of the Grand Lodge that was organized at York, England, in 926. From the commencement of 926 of the assembly of Masons at York the letter "Y" commenced, and has been known among members of the Masonic fraternity and at the establishing of the Grand Lodge at York, England, in the year 926 they adopted a constitution and general regulation for the craft. Prince Edwin, the brother of King Athelstan of England was an eminent and distinguished Mason and King Athelstan was the grandson of King Alfred the first anointed King of England who translated the Holy Bible into the Saxon language. The Grand Lodge that was established in York, England, in 926 prospered and flourished. The City of York, England, was the seat of Masonic government of the craft in England. FREEMASONRY FIRST ORGANIZED IN THE STATE OF TEXAS ON APRIL THE 10th, 1873, AT AUSTIN, TEXAS. Tenth Question--When was Freemasonry first established in the State of Texas among Colored men? As there have been a great deal of controversy about the matter, inasmuch as some person have fixed it one place and some have fixed it another place, let us see who is right? Tenth Answer--The first Lodge of Colored Masons organized in the State of Texas was at Austin, Texas, April 10th, 1873, the name of the Lodge was Mount Bonnell Lodge, it was instituted and chartered by the notorious self-constituted clandestine King Solomon Grand Lodge of the State of Kansas that Wm. D. Mathews was the Grand Master of, and all Masonic students and all Masonic authors in the United States have said time after time that the King Solomon Grand Lodge of Kansas was a bogus Grand Lodge. Sometime after Mount Bonnell Lodge was organized at Austin, Texas. A Lodge was organized at San Antonio, Texas, and Houston, Texas, and Galveston, Texas, all these Lodges were established by the spurious King Solomon Grand Lodge of Kansas. And it appears from the records and a circular issued by the King Solomon Grand Lodge of Kansas that at the time the convention was held to organize a Grand Lodge for the State of Texas that the Lodge at San Antonio, Texas, and the lodge at Houston Texas, was only working under a dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Kansas, and only a few years ago I held a conversation myself with Wm.