M. W. King Solomon Grand Lodge

A. F. & A. M. Jurisdiction of Texas.] KING SOLOMON GRAND LODGE OF KANSAS ORGANIZED JUNE 24th, 1867. Fourteenth Question--When was the King Solomon Grand Lodge of Kansas that Wm. D. Mathews was Grand Master, when was it organized in the State of Kansas, and whereat, and did this King Solomon Grand Lodge in Kansas take out a charter and work under the National Compact Grand Lodge of North America, give me all the facts and information that you have at hand relative to that matter? Fourteenth Answer--When the King Solomon Grand Lodge of Kansas was organized June 24th, 1867, at Leavenworth, Kansas, it was accepted and stated by most every Colored Mason in the United States that knew anything about the matter that this King Solomon Grand Lodge of Kansas was organized and proclaimed to be a Grand Lodge by Wm. D. Mathews and his followers in the State of Kansas with only one Lodge and nobody knows whether or not even that Lodge was a chartered Lodge. It was said however that this one Masonic Lodge that proclaimed itself and organized the King Solomon Grand Lodge of Kansas that it secured a charter from the Compact Grand Lodge of the State of New York and at the time the King Solomon Grand Lodge of Kansas was organized with only one subordinate Lodge composed of a membership of eleven members. June 24th, 1867, at Leavenworth, Kansas, it took out a warrant of authority from the National Compact Grand Lodge of North America that was organized in the State of Massachusetts on the 24th day of June, 1847, for it must be admitted by all well informed Masons that Massachusetts was the hotbed and the Masonic factory where all kinds of Masonic degrees were manufactured and all sorts and kinds of Masonic Lodges and Grand Lodges and a spurious National Grand Lodge of North America was organized to suit the time and conveniences of those that wished to secure and gain high sounding Masonic titles regardless as to whether it was right or wrong. If you have any doubt about the matter I herewith present a copy of the warrant that was issued to the King Solomon Grand Lodge of Kansas by that irregular and self-constituted National Compact Grand Lodge of North America whose record has covered the very blackest page in Masonic history among the colored Masons in this country. THE WARRANT OF THE MOST WORSHIPFUL KING SOLOMON GRAND LODGE FOR THE STATE OF KANSAS. To all whom it may concern: The Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and honorable fraternity of Free and Accepted Ancient York Masons of the United States of North America, according to the old constitution at York in the kingdom of England duly established and organized for the said United States according to the resolutions and by the authority of a Grand Convention held in the city of Boston, the State of Massachusetts on the 24th, 25th, 26th and 28th day of June, A. D., 1847; A. L. 5847. WISDOM, STRENGTH, FRATERNITY. Whereas, A petition bearing date, June 24th, A. D., 1867, was represented and presented in the name of Wm. D. Mathews and others praying the grant of a charter of Constitution and erection in the usual form for holding a Grand Lodge in the State of Kansas under the name and title of the Most Worshipful King Solomon Grand Lodge for the State of Kansas and under the authority of the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of the United States and North America, proposing the persons after mentioned to be the first grand officers, viz: Wm. D. Mathews, Leavenworth, Kansas, Grand Master, Geo. Edwards, Deputy Grand Master, Samuel Jones, Senior Grand Warden, Henry Lee, Junior Grand Warden, together with their associates which petition having been duly considered, we are pleased to ordain a charter, to be issued in the terms herein written. Know Ye, therefore, That the Most Worshipful National Grand Master and the National Grand Lodge of North America have constituted, erected and appointed likewise, they hereby constitute, erect, and appoint the Grand Master, Grand Wardens and brethren above named to be now and in all times coming a true and regular Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons for the State of Kansas under the name, style and title of the Most Worshipful King Solomon Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Ancient York Masons for the State of Kansas. And we do hereby authorize and empower our Worshipful and beloved Brethren and their successors in office to constitute by Charter, or organize by dispensation subordinate Lodges within the State of Kansas and its jurisdiction, according to the Constitution of Masonry and of the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of North America, upon the payment of such fees as may be determined by the said Most Worshipful Grand Lodge; also to make choice of a Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, Grand Wardens and other Grand Officers annually to receive and collect funds for the support of the Most Worshipful King Solomon Grand Lodge of Kansas, and for the payment of such sums of money as may be assessed by the Constitution and regulations of the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge. And we do further authorize and empower the said constituted brethren and their successors to have and determined all and singular matters and things relating to the craft within their jurisdiction with the assistance of the members of the said Grand Lodge subject to an appeal to the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of North America and shall possess and exercise all the power and function of a State Grand Lodge and we do hereby require the said constituted brethren to attend the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of North America at their triennial communication and other meetings by their Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master and Grand Wardens, or by proxy regularly appointed; also to keep a fair and regular record of your proceedings in a book to be kept for that purpose and we do enjoin upon the officers and brethren of said Grand Lodge that they be punctual in their payments of such sums of money as may be assessed on them by the National Grand Lodge of North America, and to make regular returns annually to the National Grand Secretary or to the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of the names and members of all the Lodges under the jurisdiction of said Grand Lodge where located, of the suspensions, expulsions and the Charters surrendered; also the number of members belonging to each Subordinate Lodge and of the election and installation of the officers of the Grand Lodge. And we do hereby declare that the proceedings of said Grand Lodge in National Grand Lodge to commence from the 24th day of June Anno Domini, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Sixty-seven; and lastly do we hereby authorize and empower our said Worshipful Brother Wm. D. Mathews and his associates in office to install their successors being first duly elected and chosen to whom they shall deliver this warrant and invest them with all the power and dignities to their offices respectfully belonging and such successors shall in like manner from time to time install their successors, such installation to be upon or near St. John the Evangelist or St. John the Baptist's day, during the continuance of this Grand Lodge for ever provided always that the said above named Worshipful Brothers and their successors pay due respect to the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of North America, and the ordinance thereof; otherwise this warrant to be of no force or virtue. Given by the authority of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of North America, under the signatures of the Most Worshipful National Grand Officers and the Seal of the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of North America, this 24th day of June Anno Domini, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Sixty-seven. Richard Howell Gleaves, M. W. N. G. M. Jonathan Davis, M. W. N. G. S. THE NATIONAL COMPACT GRAND LODGE OF NORTH AMERICA ORGANIZED AT BOSTON, MASS., JUNE 24th, 1847. Fifteenth Question--In as much as there has been considerable discussion and controversy going on through the country for a number of years, relative to when the National Compact Grand Lodge of North America was organized and where at, and whether or not it was considered irregular and unlawful or whether it was a legitimate body, those questions have been asked for a number of years. Fifteenth Answer--Mackey's Masonic jurisprudence and all of the Masonic authors on Masonic law have laid down the well established rule that has been recognized in the United States of America ever since Freemasonry was first established in this country, that there cannot be any higher or Supreme power than a Grand Lodge of a state. And the spurious National Compact Grand Lodge of North America is an unauthorized and clandestine body. It was organized in Boston, Mass., on the 24th of June, 1847, it has been a disgrace and a burning shame and a slander upon the Colored Masons of this country ever since it was first organized. The National Compact Grand Lodge of North America that was established at Boston, Mass., on the 24th of June, 1847, is a self constituted, bogus, counterfeit grand body, and any Grand Lodge or Subordinate Lodge in the United States of America that affiliates or recognizes it is clandestine and bogus. Sixteenth Question--When the Grand Lodge of Texas was organized at Houston, Texas, Jan. 19th, 1875, that J. W. McKinney is now the Grand Master of, did that Grand Lodge have a Charter from the Bogus National Compact Grand Lodge of North America? Sixteenth Answer--Yes they did, and looking over the records of the National Grand Lodge of North America that was organized at Boston, Mass., in 1847, which was a bogus concern. Here is a copy of the Charter that was issued to the Grand Lodge of Texas in 1875 by the Spurious National Compact Grand Lodge of North America. THE WARRANT OF THE MOST WORSHIPFUL COMPACT GRAND LODGE OF FREE AND ACCEPTED YORK MASONS FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS. To All Whom It May Concern: The Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and honorable fraternity of Free and Accepted Ancient York Masons of the United States of North America, according to the old constitution at York in the kingdom of England duly established and organized for the said Convention held in the city of Boston, the State of Massachusetts on the 24th, 25th, 26th and 28th day of June, A. D., 1847; A. L. 5847. Whereas a petition bearing date Jan. 19th, 1875, was represented and presented in the name of N. W. Cuney and others from the State of Texas praying the grant of a Charter of Constitution in the usual form for holding a Grand Lodge in the State of Texas under the name and title of the Most Worshipful Compact Grand Lodge for the State of Texas, and under the authority of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the United States and North America proposing the persons hereafter mentioned to be the first Grand Master and the first Grand Secretary viz: N. W. Cuney of Galveston, Texas Grand Master, J. J. Hamilton Grand Secretary together with their associates which petition having been duly considered we are pleased to ordain a Charter to be issued in the terms herein written. Know Ye, therefore, that the Most Worshipful National Grand Master and the National Grand Lodge of North America have constituted, erected and appointed likewise, they do hereby constitute, erect and appoint the Grand Master and Grand Wardens, and brethren to be now and in all times coming a Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted York Masons for the State of Texas, and we do hereby authorize and empower our worthy and beloved brethren and their successors in office to constitute by charter or organize Lodges within the State of Texas according to the constitution of the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of North America duly constituted on the 24th day of June, 1847, at Boston, Mass., and comply with the rules and regulations and the payment of such sums of money as be assessed by the Constitution and regulation of the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of North America. And we do further authorize and empower the said constituted brethren and their successors to have and determined all and singular matters and things relating to the craft within their jurisdiction with the assistance of the members of the said Grand Lodge subject to an appeal to the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of North America and shall possess and exercise all the power and function of a State Grand Lodge and we do hereby require the said constituted brethren to attend the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of North America at their triennial communication and other meetings by their Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master and Grand Wardens or by proxy regularly appointed; also to keep a fair and regular record of your proceedings in a book to be kept for that purpose and we do enjoin upon the officers and brethren of said Grand Lodge in the State of Texas that they be punctual in their payments of such sums of money as may be assessed on them by this National Compact Grand Lodge of North America and to make regular returns annually to the National Grand Secretary or to the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge. And we do hereby declare that the proceedings of said Grand Lodge in the State of Texas by which brother N. W. Cuney is the Grand Master of to commence from Jan. 19th, 1875, and we do hereby authorize and empower our said Worshipful Brother N. W. Cuney of Galveston, Texas, and his associates in office to install their successors first being duly elected and chosen to whom they shall deliver this warrant and invest them with all the powers and dignities to their offices respectfully belonging and such successors shall like manner from time to time install their successors, such installation to be upon or near the St. John the Evangelist or St. John the Baptist's day during the continuance of this Grand Lodge. Given by the authority of the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of North America under the signature of the Most Worshipful National Grand Master of the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of North America this 19th day of Jan. 1875. Richard Howell Cleaves, M. W. N. G. M. Seventeenth Question--Did you ever have any correspondence with Wm. D. Mathews, Grand Master of the Compact Grand Lodge of the State of Kansas relative to the organization of the so-called Grand Lodge of the State of Texas that was organized Jan. 19th, 1875? Seventeenth Answer--Yes, I had some correspondence with Wm. D. Mathews, Grand Master of the King Solomon Grand Lodge of the State of Kansas relative to the subordinate Lodges that took part in the organization of the Grand Lodge of Texas, Jan. 19th, 1875. That was the time that the Grand Lodge of Texas was organized when N. W. Cuney of Galveston, Texas, was elected Grand Master. Leavenworth, Kan., Nov. 21, 1903. Mr. John G. Jones, 33, Grand Secretary of the M. W. St. Johns Grand Lodge of Illinois, Dear Sir and Bro--Your letter reached me last week at my home in Leavenworth, Kan., and in giving you the information that you desire the Lodge at Austin, Texas, was the first Lodge of Colored Masons organized among the Colored men in the State of Texas, it was on April 10th, 1873, it was chartered by the Most Worshipful King Solomon Grand Lodge of Kansas of which I have the honor of being its Grand Master. That was the only Lodge that was in good Masonic standing in our Grand Lodge when the Grand Lodge of the State of Texas was organized. The Lodge at San Antonio, Galveston, and Houston Texas was also chartered by our Grand Lodge of Kansas, but none of these last named three Lodges was in good and regular standing in our Grand Lodge. So you will notice that the Grand Lodge of Texas only had one warranted Lodge when it was established. Yours Fraternally, WM. D. MATHEWS, Grand Master. REPORT ON THE ORIGIN AND THE IRREGULARITY OF FREEMASONRY AMONG COLORED MEN IN THE STATE OF TEXAS AT THE NATIONAL MASONIC CONVENTION HELD IN CHICAGO, SEPT., 4th, 1877. To the President and Members of the National Masonic Convention now Sitting in Chicago, Sept. 4th, 1877: Your committee that was appointed to investigate the origin of Freemasonry in the State of Texas beg leave to make the following report: We have carefully investigated the matter of the origin of Freemasonry in the State of Texas and we find that it appears from the record that Freemasonry was first established in the State of Texas by Wm. D. Mathews, Grand Master of the King Solomon Grand Lodge of Compact Masons for the State of Kansas which at the time the said King Solomon Grand Lodge of Kansas was under and subordinate to the National Compact Grand Lodge of North America. We further find that the said Grand Lodge of Texas that C. C. Dean is the Grand Master of that, the said Grand Lodge of Texas, when organized January 19th, 1875, did not follow and comply with the landmarks and laws of Freemasonry and that the said Grand Lodge of Texas is an unlawful and irregular Grand Lodge and that the delegates from the Grand Lodge of the State of Texas to this National Masonic Convention are not entitled to seats in this National Masonic Convention, Fraternally Submitted, E. A. WILLIAMS, of Nebraska, H. D. VENA, of Michigan, J. H. BANKS, of Rhode Island, Committee. FIRST REGULAR AND LEGAL GRAND LODGE OF COLORED MASONS IN UNITED STATES AT WASHINGTON, D. C., 1895. The first Grand Lodge of Colored Masons in the United States that was healed and Masonically set right was the Grand Lodge of Colored Masons of the District of Columbia which H. C. Scott is the Grand Master of. It occurred in the year of 1895 by the duly accredited representatives from the White Masonic Grand Lodge of Romania, Germany. VARIOUS GRAND LODGE DECISIONS. FIRST LEGAL GRAND LODGE OF COLORED MASONS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, MARCH 19th, 1908. The Most Worshipful St. Johns Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. M. Masons of the State of Illinois established several Subordinate Lodges in the State of Texas. A Masonic convention was held in the State of Texas by several of the Subordinate Lodges in the State of Texas on March 19th, 1908, at San Antonio, Texas, and the Most Worshipful King Solomon Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. Masons for the State of Texas was organized. Bro. Chas. L. Mitchell is Grand Master and Bro. J. F. VanDuzor is the Grand Secretary. Yours Fraternally, JOHN G. JONES, 33, Grand Master of Masons of the State of Illinois. DECISIONS OF MASONIC GRAND LODGES. 1.--Since the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia has been under the supervision and control of the Past Grand Master Wm. H. Johnson and the present Grand Master H. C. Scott of Washington, D. C., the Grand Lodge has rendered some very important decisions which has been a guide for many of the Grand Lodges for sometime in the past and will be a guide and a landmark for many of the Grand Lodges in the future. The Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts is Irregular and clandestine, it was instituted with only one subordinate Lodge. The Most Worshipful St. John's Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. Masons of the State of Illinois that Bro. John G. Jones is the Grand Master of was lawfully and constitutionally established according to the landmarks and laws of Freemasonry and is recognized by this Grand Lodge. The Most Worshipful King Solomon Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. Masons of the State of Texas that Bro. Chas. L. Mitchell is Grand Master of has been regularly and lawfully established and is recognized by this Grand Lodge. The Most Worshipful St. Andrew's Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. Mason of the State of Louisiana that Wm. T. Grant is the Grand Master of has been regularly instituted according to the landmarks and laws of Freemasonry and is recognized by this Grand Lodge. The Most Worshipful German Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. Masons of the State of Alabama that Bro. J. H. McGehee is the Grand Master of has been lawfully instituted and is recognized by this Grand Lodge. The Most Worshipful Wm. T. Grant, Jr., Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. Masons of the State of Mississippi has been regularly organized and is recognized by this Grand Lodge. Bro. J. R. Rawlins of Natchez, Miss., is the Grand Master of. The Most Worshipful Hiram Grand Lodge of A. F. A. Masons of the State of Pennsylvania that Bro. C. R. France is the Grand Master of, has been instituted in a regular and lawful manner and is recognized by this Grand Lodge. The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the State of Florida that Bro. E. E. Franklin is the Grand Master of was regularly instituted and is recognized by us. We find the formation of the spurious Grand Lodge of Texas that J. W. McKinney is the Grand Master of and W. M. McDonald is the Grand Secretary of, was established in the most extraordinary irregular and unlawful manner and is with the establishing of the bogus Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts which was only organized with one Lodge. The so-called Grand Lodge in the State of Texas which is said to have been instituted by K. R. Rogers of Austin, Texas, and is known as the Hiram Tyram Grand Lodge is beyond all question or doubt the most Clandestine and irregular Masonic Grand Lodge that has ever appeared upon the Masonic stage of action. It is a Grand Lodge only on paper and was instituted not in compliance with any of the landmarks or laws of Freemasonry and is therefore counterfeit and Bogus and is not recognized by this Grand Lodge. This Grand Lodge has carefully examined into the origin of the Compact Grand Lodge of Masons in the State of Illinois that H. E. Burris, of Rock Island is the Grand Master, and the notorious R. E. Moore is the Grand Secretary of, and we find it was instituted with only two warranted Lodges and a Lodge under dispensation and from the records of the Grand Lodge of Ohio one of the warranted Lodges that took part in the convention was at that time not in good standing with the Grand Lodge of Ohio. See records of the Grand Lodge of Ohio of 1865 and 1866. Prince Hall of Massachusetts, a founder of a Spurious and Illegitimate Masonry, among the Colored Masons in the United States, died at Boston, Mass., in the year of 1807. COLORED GRAND LODGE OF ALABAMA. The Colored Masonic Grand Lodge of the State of Alabama which is named the German Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. Masons of the State of Alabama in the year of 1906 at the annual session held at Montgomery, Ala., Bro. J. H. McGehee, 33, Grand Master, and Bro. G. W. Hill, 32, Grand Secretary, the Grand Lodge made the following decisions: That the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts was organized with only one Lodge which makes the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts unlawful clandestine and irregular Grand Lodge. It requires not less than three warranted Lodges to assemble in a Masonic convention and organize a regular Grand Lodge for a State. All Masons who are members of Compact Lodges are Bogus, Irregular and Clandestine, and must not be recognized as Masons anywhere. No compact Mason can be admitted in any subordinate Lodge in this State. COLORED MASONIC LODGES OF COLORADO. No Supreme Council of Ancient, Accepted Scottish Rite Masons possess any right or power or authority to confer the degrees of entered apprentice fellow-craft and Master Masons degree. If a commandery of Knights Templars should confer the entered apprentice fellow-craft and Master Mason's degree it is spurious and unlawful Masonic work. DECISIONS OF WHITE MASONIC GRAND LODGES. GRAND LODGE OF ARKANSAS. The White Masonic Grand Lodge of the State of Arkansas at the annual session held in 1838 and 1838 rendered the following decision: This Grand Lodge will not recognize a Grand Lodge unless it has been regularly organized by not less than three warranted Lodges. GRAND LODGE OF CONNECTICUT. The White Grand Lodge of Connecticut was organized July 8th, 1789, the following is some of the decisions that the Grand Lodge of Connecticut has rendered: One Grand Lodge cannot issue a charter to organize another Grand Lodge. The power and the authority to organize a Grand Lodge resides in the three warranted Lodges that meet in a Masonic convention for that purpose. A regular Grand Lodge of Masons of a state is vested with power and authority to go in another state and there organize subordinate Lodges if the Grand Lodge in that state which has been already organized was organized In an unlawful and irregular manner. When a Grand Lodge of a state has been organized in an unlawful Masonic way and manner it is then considered as no Grand Lodge at all and another lawful and regular Grand Lodge has the authority and power to invade such territories and there organize regular subordinate Lodges. The White Masonic Grand Lodge of Alabama in the year of 1821 rendered the following decisions at the session held at Montgomery, Alabama, Thomas W. Farrar was Grand Master and Thomas A. Rogers was Grand Secretary. A Grand Lodge of a State cannot be regularly organized unless there is not less than three regularly warranted Lodges. WHITE MASONIC GRAND LODGE OF DELAWARE. The Masonic Lodge of the State of Delaware since it was organized on June the 6th, 1806, has rendered some very important decisions which has been a guide for many of the Grand Lodges that have been organized since that time. The African Grand Lodge of Colored Masons in the State of Massachusetts cannot be recognized not because they are Colored Masons but for the reason that they were unlawfully instituted. They organized a Grand Lodge with only one Lodge when they should have had not less than three. A regular Grand Lodge must be organized with not less than three warranted Lodges. THE LIGHT TURNED ON, ON BOGUS MASONRY IN TEXAS. The record shows the first Lodges In Texas were organized by Capt. W. D. Matthews, Grand Master of the King Solomon Compact Grand Lodge of Kansas, on April 10, 1873, by organizing Mt. Bonnell Lodge No. 1, Austin, No. 2, San Antonio and No. 3 Houston, No. 4 at Galveston. On the 19th of August, 1875, these four lodges met at Brenham, Texas, and organized a Compact Grand Lodge with N. W. Cuney as the Grand Master, and J. J. Hamilton as Grand Secretary. Some years after, about 1885, (the record is not clear,) C. C. Dean succeeded N. W. Cuney as Grand Master. Rev. A. Grant, W. D. G. M., and in the year 1886 C. C. Dean, G. M. Rev. A. Grant, W. D. G. M., called a special session of the Grand Lodge and at that session declared and adopted the act of Secession from the National Compact Grand Lodge, elected delegates to go to Houston, Texas, as special commissioners to meet the Worshipful Grand Lodge of White Masons for the purpose of being healed and chartered. Now, according to the record found in Sayles' Masonic Jurisprudence, on the History of Negro Masonry in Texas, emphatically states that these Negro delegates did appear and did present to the White Grand Lodge a petition to be healed and chartered. Sayles does not give the names of the petitioners. The petition sets forth that there were 650 members at that time, to be healed. The record shows that the White Grand Lodge appointed a committee to investigate the petition, and the record further shows that the committee made the following report: COMMITTEE REPORT ON NEGRO MASONRY IN TEXAS. "We your committee find that these 650 so-called Negro Masons are not Masons, and have no business with us nor about us, neither of us. If Ephriam is joined to his Idols let him alone." Now the record further shows that this Grand Lodge has sent delegates to the General Masonic Congress on several occasions, and these delegates were rejected. The first was in Sept. 4th and 5th, 1887, at Chicago. Mr. Gillett of Kansas, offered the following resolution and it was unanimously adopted: "Whereas, The facts are before this convention that the Grand Lodge of Texas, Colored, under C. C. Dean as Grand Master, was organized by subordinate lodges instituted in the State of Texas by W. D. Matthews, Grand Master of the Compact Grand Lodge of Kansas. "Be it Resolved by this convention that the said Grand Lodge of Texas, above mentioned, is hereby now declared by this convention to be an unlawful and irregular Grand Lodge, and that this National Masonic convention will now refuse and neither recognize or admit their delegates in this convention." And similar resolutions were adopted at the General Masonic Congress that was held in Pittsburgh, Pa., July, 1904. HOW THE MOST WORSHIPFUL KING SOLOMON GRAND LODGE, A. F. & A. M. WAS ORGANIZED IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. The origination of the M. W. King Solomon Grand Lodge, A. F. & A. Masons which was organized March 19, A. D., 1908, and incorporated under the laws of the State of Texas, March 27, A. D., 1908, of the following Lodges, viz: Mount Nebo Lodge No. 14, Galveston, Tex., Brackenridge Lodge No. 21, Excelsior Lodge No. 25, San Antonio, Golden Jewel Lodge No. 23, Taylor; Eureka Lodge No. 12, Hempstead. These (5) five Lodges held their warrant of constitution from the M. W. St. John Grand Lodge, A. F. & A. M. of the State of Illinois of which the Hon. John G. Jones, 33rd degree, is Grand Master, and the M. W. St. John Grand Lodge, A. F. & A. M. held her warrant of constitution from the M. W. Grand Lodge A. F. & A. M., of Washington, District of Columbia, of which Hon. H. C. Scott, 33rd degree is Grand Master. This warrant was granted to Hon. H. C. Scott, 33rd degree Grand Master in the year 1895. He was the first and only Colored Mason 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 he is now healing and setting Masonically right the Colored Masons in the United States of America. According to Masonic law the only lawful and regular Grand Lodge of Colored Masons in the State of Texas is the Most Worshipful King Solomon Grand Lodge, A. F. & A. M., which was organized at San Antonio, Texas, on 19th day of March, A. D., 1908 and lawfully incorporated under the laws of the State of Texas on the 27th day of March, A. D., 1908, and it is the only Colored Grand Lodge A. F. & A. M. in the State of Texas that is recognized by foreign White Masonic jurisdiction of which C. L. Mitchell, 33rd degree is Grand Master. In Reference to the Circular Matter Relative to One John A. Bell of Grand Rapids, Mich., Claiming to Hold a Warrant of Authority From the Grand Lodge of Liberia, I Beg Leave to Submit a Copy. The Original is Now in Possession of the Ill. Capt. W. T. Grant,