L. s. caused the seal of the lodge to be affixed,

this 6th day of March, a. d. 1189, and a. m.
5789.
" R. J. Vanden Broeck, Master. " John Stagg, Jun., Senior Warden.
" William Wilcocks, Junior Warden.
" Attest.
" , Secretary."
This was the second honorary membership conferred by Masonic lodges on Washington; the first having been conferred by his o^ti lodge, at Alexandria, pre- vious to his becoming its Master. Another honor was about the same time shown to him by Masons of New York, by calling the second Chapter of Eoyal Arch Masons in that city Washington Chaptee. This Chapter was instituted before Grand Chapters had existence ; and while the immemorial usage of Ma- soniy sanctioned those members of any lodge who had a legal warrant to meet and work as Master Masons, if they had also a knowledge of higher Masonic de- grees, and suitable members to work in them, to con- gregate as Chapters imder the same warrant, and thus extend a knowledge of the Eoyal Ai't. The old Wash- ington Chapter of New York city was closely associ- ated with Holland Lodge, and perhaps was organized under the sanction of its warrant It, however, during the last decade of the past centmy granted charters foi Chapters in Rhode Island and Connecticut, and as-
WASHINGTON. 121
sumed prerogatives which have since been conceded to Grand Chapters. It is not known that Washington was further connected with this Chapter than its bear- ing his honored name; nor has it ever been shown from any record that he was a Eoyal Ai'ch Mason. The Royal Ai'ch, however, and various intermediate degrees being at that day conferred under Masters' "Warrants, with little or no record kept of them, leaves this a point which can probably never be deter- mined.
Before Washington left Mount Yernon, in the spring of 1789, to repair to the Federal Capital as President elect, he visited his mother, for the last time, at Fred- ericksburg. We have already shown his interview with her in 1782, after years of absence in the miHtary service of his country. Again he had come to say that his country demanded his services, but that when the pubHc interests permitted he would return. She in- terrupted him by saying : " You will see my face no more. My great age, and the disease that is fast ap- proaching my vitals, warns me that I shall not be long of this world. But go, Geokge, fulfil the high duties which Heaven appears to assign you ; go, my son, and may Heaven's and your mother's blessing always at- tend you."
Washington had learned during his eventful life to moot with composure the dangers of the battle-field, the frowns of adversity, and the smiles of fortune; but the tenderness of his mother's words, and the maternal look and tone wdth which they were spoken, overcame every restraint he had placed on his feelings ; and he leaned his head upon her aged shoulder as if he were
G
122 WASHIXGTOISr.
again a boy, and the furrows in his cheeks were wet with unwonted tears.
The words of his mother were indeed prophetic ; for she died the following autumn, and was buried in a spot she had herself chosen. It Avas near a romantic ledge of rocks, where she had often resorted for pra^'er ; and the sylvan bethel, where a mother's prayers were offered for our Washin'GTON, is now hallowed by that mother's grave. What sj^ot on American soil should be more sacred than that ?
/ CHAPTEK VII.
Washington leaves his home to assume the presidency. — Public demon- Btrations dnrin? his jonrnej-. — Arrives in New York. — His inauguration. — Chancellor Livingston, Grand Master of New York, administers to him the oath of office on Bible of St. John's Lod^e.^nscription in it relating to thc-TeVeiiT. — His inaugural address. — Services at St. Paul'.s Church. — Other public ceremonials. — First address from the Senate. — President's title established.^Eiiles of presidential etiquette established. — Public jealousies thereby aroused. ^Washington visits the New England States. — Incident at Boston. — Visit to Khode Island. — King David's Lodge. — Its address to Washington. — His reply. — His visit to the Southern States. — Address to him from Grand Lodge of South Carolina. — His reply. — Im- portance of this correspondence. — He returns to Mount Vernon. — South- east corner-stone of tlic Federal District set with Masonic ceremonies. — Published account of it. — Jealousies as to location of Federal capital. — Its Indian name. — Its present name, " The City of Washington." — The name of Washington often used geographically, and also in naming lodges. — Masonic constitutions of Virginia dedicated to Washington. — Proceedings of Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania relative to address to Wash- ington.— Copy of the address. — His reply. — Union of the two Grand Lodges in Massachusetts. — Their new Book of Constitutions dedicated to Washington. — Their address to him on the occasion. — His reply. — Sword presented him by Fredeuick thk Great. — Box presented by the Earl of Buchan.
ASHINGTON left his Lome ou the 16th of April, 1789, to repair to New York. At Alexandria, at Georgetown, at Balti- more, at Philadeli^hia, at Trenton, and at Elizabethtown he was greeted by crowds of his fellow-citizens, who publicly honored him with festivities, civic decorations, and laudatory addresses.
A /
124 i'T WASHINGTON.
He wished to avoid on tlie occasion all ostentatious display; but tlie great heart of America was full of love for him, and blessings were showered upon his head, and flowers strown along his pathway.
These various public demonstrations are recorded on the pages of our country's history, and need not be repeated here. It was as if he were passing through the spring fields of a country where tender plants, whose buds had been crushed by war, were now put- ting forth blossoms, to hide the blood stains that had been left there during the War of the Revolution.
"Washington reached New York on the 23d of April, and the 30th of the same month was the day fixed for his inauguration. On that occasion, General Jacob MoETON was marshal of the day. He was the Master of St. John's, the oldest lodge in the city, and at the same time Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of New York. General Moeton brought from the altar of his lodge the Bible with its cushion of crimson vel- vet, and upon that sacred volume, Egbert E. Living- ston, Chancellor of the State of New-Yo.rkj and Grand Master of its Grand Lodge, administered to Washington his oath of office as President of the United States. , Having taken the oath, Washington reverently bowed and kissed the sacred volume ; and the awful suspense of the moment was broken by Chancellor Ltvingston, who solemnly said, " Long Live George Washington, President of the United States T A thousand tongues at once joined in repeated acclamations, " Long live George Washington !"
A memorial leaf of the sacred Book was then folded at the page on which Washington had devoutly im-
WASHINGTON.
125
pressed his lips ; and the volume was returned to St. John's Lodge, and placed again upon its sacred altar. A. few years later it was again taken from its resting j^lace, and borne in a solemn procession by the Ma-
THE BIBLE ON WHICH WASHINGTON TOOK THE OATH OF OFFICE, AS PRESIDENT.
sonic brethren of New York city, who met to pay funeral honors to the memory of Washington. It is still in possession of St. John's Lodge No. 1, who value it highly as a sacred memento. The memory of Wash- ington's oath of office upon it, is perpetuated by the following inscription, beautifully engrossed, and ac- companied by a miniature likeness from an engraving by Leney, which were inserted by order of the lodge. Tlie closing poetic lines were first written by the Rev. Dr. Haven, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on Wash- ington's visit to tliat town in 1789, in answer to an in- quiry by what title he should be addressed. Tlie com- mittee appointed by the lodge to form this memorial, were sworn on tlie same volume to do it faithfully.
126
WASHINGTON.
'^^'
€r^
>
A ■a
ON
SACRED
THIS VOLUME,
ON THE SOtH DAT OP APRIL, A. M, 5789, IN THE CITY OF NEW TOEK,
WAS ADMINISTERED TO
GEOEGE WASHINGTON,
THE FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
THE OATH
TO SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. Tins IMPORTANT CEREMONY WAS PERFORMED BY THE MOST ■WORSHIPFUL
GRAND MASTER
OP FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF THE STATE OP NEW YORK,
ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON,
CHANCELLOR OF THE STATE.
"Fame spread her wings, and loud her trumpet blew: Great Washington is near! What praise His due? What Title shall he have? She paused — and said. Not One ; Bis name alone strikes evert title dead!''
Having taken his oath of inauguration, Washington proceeded to the Senate cliamber and dehvered his
WASHINGTOlSr, 127
first address as chief magistrate of tlie Federal Union, It was a reflex of the principles of Masonry frora the mind and the heart of our greatest American brother. He seemed to imagine himself again treading the ground floor of_a new apartment in the tem^^le of human life ; and he modestly re\aewed his quahficatious, his hopes, and fears upon entering it. He next acknowledged a Divine Ruler over all human events, and humbly in- voked his guidance and blessing. Was not this a re- membrance of the first lessons he had been taught in Masonry ? Then, as the Mason examines the lines on his trestle-board, he proceeded to examine the requke- ments of the constitution, and the duties to be per- formed under it, and closed with a renewed acknow- ledgment of dependence on Divme aid. How true was all this to the character of, Washington ! How true to the teachings -of MasOTny! ""^
As soon as these ceremonies and duties were per- formed. President Washington and both houses of Congress proceeded to St. Paul's Church, where divine services were held on the occasion, and the evening was spent by the citizens of New York with the most extravagant exhibitions of joy. A magnificent trans- parent painting, brilliantly illuminated, waS suspended l:)etween the fort and Bowling Green, on the centre of which was represented Washington as the emblem of Fortitude; on'Tiis right" hand, the supreme judiciary, l)y the emblem of Justice; and on his left, the supreme legislature, by the oiublem of Wisdom.
The choice of these emblems from the chambers of Masonic science, and their appropriation at this time to these purposes, must have called the mind of
128 WASHINGTON.
Washington and his Masonic brethren forcibly back to the silent teachings of these very emblems in the lodge-room. Our Federal Government, of which Wash- ington was the representative head, had that day passed a threshold where fortitude, which shrinks at no pain or danger, is required; and he that day stood, as he had long before, and will ever be remem- bered, a personification of this cardinal Masonic virtue.
It was not until the 16th of May, that answers were returned by the Senate and House of Eef)resentatives to Washington's inaugural address ; and on such pre- sentations, a question arose between those bodies as to the title by which he should be addressed ; the lower body contending that as the constitution fixed no title beyond that of " Tlie President,''' etc., no other should be used ; while the Senate preferred to prefix " His Highness,'' or some other title of rank to his name and office. The repubUcan simjDlicity of the lower house prevailed, and, as is well known, our presidents have ever been addressed without any addition to the title which the constitution gives them.
While this question of courtly official address was occupying the attention of Congress, a kindi-ed one of gi'eater imj)ortance and real necessity was forced upon the decision of Washington. It was the etiquette of presidential receptions of citizens and strangers. To establish such rules of j)rivate intercourse as these de- mandedj and still leave the President in command of time necessary for the fulfilment of his official duties, without encroaching iipon the claims of nature for rest and refi'eshment, was a dehcate duty for him to per-
WASHINGTON. 129
form. There were those who beheved that the dignity of the presidential office should be invested vriih many forms and coiu'tly ceremonies ; and there were others who claimed that the harmony of our new-born repub- lican institutions required an entire abandonment of all distinction between the President and the people in social intercourse. The first were, perhaps, too fond of official show, and the latter too anxious for an unbe- coming agrarianism. Washington committed the de- tails of presidential etiquette to Colonel David Hum- phrey, who had been one of his aids-de-camp during the Revolution, and was now his private secretary. Colonel Humphrey seems to have happily conceived appropriate rules and ceremonials for presidential in- tercourse ; for they have remained substantially the same through each successive presidency for three- quarters of a century.
We have ah-eady noted in this sketch feelings of jealousy that arose in certain minds relative to the So- ciety of the Cincinnati. These were again aroused by the necessary restrictions that were placed on citizens who sought interviews with the President. Many saw in them only the hated forms and ceremonies of royalty ; and Washington was by some denoimced as another Royal ^rEOEGE.' Trifling as such jealousies and fears may now seem to us, they even entered into the political discussions of that day ; and a letter is still extant from Washington explanatory of the neces- sity of the restrictions of the presidential etiquette.
During the first autumn of the presidency, Wash- ington visited the New England States Avhicli had united in the Federal Union; and on his arrival at
130 WASHINGTON.
Boston, a misconception seems to have occurred with Governor Hancock, of Massachusetts, as to the relative dignity in the capital of the State, of a visiting Federal President, or the governor at his own seat of power; and he remained at the gubernatorial mansion await- ing a formal call from the President. Washington would have waived all ceremonies, in calling at the humblest abode of a soldier of the Revolution ; but he would not compromise the superior dignity of the chief magistrate of the Union, by first knocking at the guber- natorial gate. It was on Saturday that Washington arrived in Boston, and on the following Monday, Gover- nor Hancock yielded the point, with a plea of previous bodily indisposition.
No records are Imown to exist which contain any account of Masonic intercoui'se between Washington and his Masonic brethren in New. York while he re- sided there as President, nor with the Fraternity in New England during his visit in 1789. Injthe follow- ing year the seat of the Federal Government was re- moved fi'om New York to Philadelphia ; and when (Con- gress closed its last session in New York in August of that year, Washington \dsited Ehode Island for the benefit of his health. He was received at both New- port and Providence with much distinction. There existed at that time in Newport a lodge of Freemasons, called King David's Lodge, to which we have already alluded as having contemplated an address to Wash- ington in 1781, on the occasion of his visit to that city as commander-in-chief. On his presidential visit in 1790, this lodge addressed him a letter, and received the reply which the enemies of Masonry, a few years
WASHINGTON. 131
ago claimed was forged long after bis death. But as the records of the lodge of that date show the transac- tion; and as this letter from King David's Lodge, and Washington's reply to it, were both published-j^ Bos- ton in 1796, while he was. yet hving, in an authorized coUection of his various addresses, etc., to public bodies, no doubt can exist of their authenticity. The records state, that,
" At a lodge, called by request of several brethren on Tuesday evening, August 11, 5t90, an Entered Apprentice Lodge was opened, where it was proposed to address the President of the United States. The R. W. Moses Seixas, Hexry Sherburne, and Wii. Littlefield, secretary, were ap- pointed a committee for that purpose, after which the lodge closed."
The following is a copy of their letter on that occa- sion, as pubhshed in the Boston Collection of Adfb'esses, in 1796, a copy of which rare woi:k we have before us. It contains also other Masonic letters of Washington, which some have claimed were spurious, and written long after his death. Their publication during his own lifetime, and under his sanction, falsifies such an assertion.
"To George Washington, President of the United States of America :
" Sir — We, the Master, Wardens, and Bretln-eii of King David's Lodge, in Newport, Rhfjde Island, joyfully eml)race this opportunity to greet you as a brf>tli(!r, and to liuil ycm welcome to Rhode Island.
" We exult in tlie thought, that as Masonry has always
132 WASHINGTON.
been patronized by the wise, the good, and the great, so hath it stood, and ever will stand, as its fixtures are on the immutable pillars of Faith, Hope, and Charity.
" With unspeakable pleasure we gratulate you as filling the presidential chair, with the applause of a nimierous 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 ever 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 suppli- cations, that the Sovereign Architect of the Universe may always encompass you with his holy protection.
" Moses- Seixas, blaster, " Henry Sherburne,
Committee. " By order,
" Wm. LrrxLEFiELD, Secretary.
" Newpobt, August 17, 1790."
To this truly Masonic greeting, Washingtgn returned tlie same day the following reply :
"To THE Master, Wardens, and Brethren of King David's Lodge in Newport, Rhode Island : " Gentlemen — I receive the welcome which you give me to Ehode Island with pleasure ; and I acknowledge my obligations for the flattering expressions of regard con- tained in your address with grateful sincerity. Being
WASHINGTON. 133
persuaded that a just application of the principles on -which the Masonic fraternity is founded, must be productive of private virtue and public prosperity, I shall always be happy to advance the interests of the society, and to be con- sidered by them as a deserving- brother. My best wishes, gentlemen, are oflFered for your individual happiness.
" G°. "VVashingtox."
This is the earliest presidential Masonic coiTesponcl- ence that exists on record ; and the succeeding pages of this sketch will show, that no incumbent of the chair of the chief magistrate of the Union, ever gave so strong and multiplied proofs of his attachment to Masonry as Washington ; and yet many of them had also seen before reaching that station
• "That hieroglyphic bright,
Which none but craftsmen ever saw."
After the close of the session of Congress in Phila- delphia in the winter of 1790-1, Washington returned to Mount Vernon, and in the spring and early summer months he made a visit as President to the Southern States. On his arrival in Charleston, in South Caro- lina, General Mordecai Gist, who Avas Grand Master of Ancient York Masons there, addressed him the fol- lowing congratulatory letter as Grand Master, in be- half of his Grand Lodge :
" Sir — Induced by a respect for your public and private character, as well as the relation in which you stand with tlio brethren of this society, wc, 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
134 WASHINGTON.
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 superin- tendence, 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 in- stances of humanity displayed by the Craft afford some re- lief 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 opportunit}^ 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 /ife 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 sjmibolic 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.
' Charleston, 2d May, 1791."
To this letter, Washington immediately returned tlio foUowing reply :
" Gentlemen — I am much obliged by the respect which
WASHINGTON. 135^
you are so good as to declare for my public and private chai'acter. I recognize witTT~i[ileasure my relation to the brethren of your Society, and I^accejDt 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 prospefity'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.
" G°. Washixgtox."
To understand fully at this day tlie value and sig- nificance of this correspondence between the Grand Master of Masons in South Carolina in behalf of his Grand Lodge and General Washington, it must be remembered that General Gist had been the fi'iend and companion in arms of General Washington during the War of the Revolution ; and that, while in command of the Maryland Brigade in 1779, he had held intimate personal and Masonic intercourse with him ; had presided over a convention of Masonic brethren in the army at Morristown that desired to elevate Washing- ton to the Grand Mastership of all American Masons; had been constituted by a waiTant from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, Master of a military lodge in his own brigade ; and having borne the trowel and the sword together in many weary marches and nuiuy well- fought battles, had, at the close of the war, retired to
136 WASHINGTON.
a plantation near Charleston ; and carrying with liim, to his Southern home, a love of Masonry and a knowledge of its kindly influences during the war, had established a lodge in Charleston, been chosen Grand Master of the Ancient York Masons of South Carolina, and as such greeted Washington on his arrival there, in their behalf.
When, therefore, he said in his letter to Washington, " When we contemplate the distresses of war, the in- stances 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 difliculties attendant on your late mihtary stations, you still associated with, and patronized the Ancient Fra- ternity," he well knew that Washington was familiar with the instances of humanity in war to which he al- luded ; nor would he have adverted in this manner to his associations with the fi-aternity during the war, had he not known that it was a pleasing association to his distinguished brother and public guest. Nor did Washington fail on this occasion to reiterate his often declared sentiments, that Masonry was beneficial to society and the basis of pubhc virtue.
Washington returned to Mount Yernon on the 12th of June, having performed a journey of more than seventeen hundred miles in sixty-six days with his own horses and carriage. He had in that time visited each of the States south of the Potomac, and been received by all classes of citizens with the highest honors.
During his absence his lodge at Alexandi-ia had per- formed a public labor, in the ceremonials of erecting -^he first corner-stone of the District of Columbia, near that
\>^^
WASHINGTON. 137
city. As this Federal territory was reqiiired, by an act of Congress, to embrace a district of country ten miles square, lying on both sides of the Potomac, Wash- ington had appointed commissioners to establish its boundaries, and its south-east corner-stone was set with Masonic ceremonies on the 15th of Apiil, 1791. Its location was at Jones' Point near the mouth of Hunt- ing Creek, on the bank of the Potomac, near where the Light-house at Alexandria now stands. The follow- ing account of setting this stone was ^vritten by a gentleman of Alexandria, and published in the United States Gazette at Phiinrdelphia, Aj)ril 30, 1791 :
"Alexandeia, April 21, 1791.
" On Friday, the 15th instant, the Hon. Daniel Carroll and Hon. David Steuart arrived in this town to superintend the fixing of the first corner-stone of the Federal District.
" The mayor and commonalty, together with the members of the different lodges of the town, at three o'clock waited on the commissioners at Mr. Weise's, where they dined ; and after drinking a glass of wine to the following sentiment — viz., 'May the stone which we are about to place in the ground, remain an immovable monument of the wisdom and unanimity of North America' — the company proceeded to Jones' Point in the following order :
"1st. The Town Sergeant.
" 2d. Hon. Daniel Carroll and the Mayor.
" 3d. Mr. Ei-LicoTT and the Recorder.
" 4tli. Sucli of the Common Coiuniil and Aldermen as were not Freemasons.
" 6th. Strangers.
" 6th. The .Master of Lodge No. 22, with Dr. David Steu-
138 WASHINGTON.
ART on his right, and the Rev. James Mum on his left, fol- lowed by the rest of the Fraternity in their usual form of procession.
" LaMy. The citizens, two by two.
" When Mr. Ellicott had ascertained the precise point from which the first line of the district was to proceed, the Master of tlie lodge and Dr. Steuart, assisted by others of their brethren, placed the stone. After which a deposit of corn, wine, and oil was made upon it, and the following ob- servations were made by the Rev. James Muik :
" ' Of America it may be said, as of Judea of old, that it is a good land and large, — ^a land of brooks of waters, of foun- tains, and depths that spring out of the valleys and hills, — a land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig-trees, and pomegranates, — a land of oil, olives, and honey, — a land wherein we eat bread without scarceness, and have lack of nothing, — a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose liills thou mayest dig brass, — a land which the Lord thy God careth for ; — the eyes of the Lord thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.
" ' May Americans be grateful and virtuous, and they shall insure the indulgence of Providence. May they be unani- mous and just, and they shall rise to greatness. May true patriotism actuate every heart. May it be the devout and universal wish : Peace be within thy walls, 0 America, and prosperity within thy palaces. Amiable it is for breth- len to dwell together in unity ; it is more fragrant than the perfumes on Aaron's garment ; it is more refreshing than the dews on Hermon's Hill.
" ' May tins stone long commemorate tlie goodness t)f God in those uncommon events which have sriven America a
WASHINGTON. 139
name among nations. Under this stone may jealousy and selfishness be forever buried. From this stone may a super- structure arise, whose glory, whose magnificence, whose stability, unequalled hitherto, shall astonish the Avorld, and invite even the savage of the wilderness to take shelter under its roof.'
"The company partook of some refreshments, and then returned to the place from whence they came, where a num- ber of toasts were drank ; and the following was delivered by the Master of the lodge (Dr. Dick), and was received with every token of approbation :
''Brethren and Gentlemen — May Jealousy, that green- eyed monster, be buried deep under the work which we have this day completed, never to I'ise again within the Federal District.'
" It may fairly be presumed that this, or a similar senti- ment pervaded the breast of every individual present on the occasion."
These Masonic incidents are of interest, not only to the personal history of Washington, but to both the general and Masonic history of those times. It is well known that Washington dii-ected the tide of events that estabhshed the seat of the Federal Government on the Potomac ; and that when the act was being passed for its location there, jealousies were arouse'^., within the district on the subject of its boundaries, and the location of its public buildings. GeorgetoAvn and Alex- andria Avorc both rivals for the honors and advantages incident to their location ; and wlien Washington gave
140 WASHINGTON".
his influence for placing tlie Capitol on the north side of the Potomac, he yielded his private interest to aUay all Northern jealousies as to its location. But the sen- timent in Alexandria was adverse to this ; and it was befitting Masonry, in the character of Y/ashington's ovv^u lodge, to perform the ceremonials in the first pub- lic act of estabhshing the boundaries of the Federal District. Her voice was then, as it ever is, "Let pubhc jealousies be forever buried." Would that her voice were always heeded!
The future seat of the Federal Government had at that time no name, and Mr. Wolcott, of Connecticut, facetiously termed it, " The Indian place, with the long name on the Potomac," in reference to its Indian name having been Conecoyeague. It was at first called " The Federal City," and Washington thus styled it in a letter written April 13, 1791 ; but the commissioners appointed to superintend the laying out of the city, had employed Major L'Enfant, a French architect, to form plans and drawings of it ; and in a letter to him, bearing date September 9, 1791, they informed him that they had agreed that the Federal District should be called "The Territory of Columbia," and the Federal City, " The City of Washington," and directed him to thus designate them on his maj)s.
No baptismal name could have been more appro- priate for the Federal city than that of Washington. It had ah'eady been geographically used in naming a county in Yirginia in 1776, and one or two military points may have borne the name at an earher period. Towns and counties without number have since borne this honored name ; and the Masonic Fraternit}^ have re-
WASHINGTON. 141
membered their gi-eat American patron in adopting liis name for their organizations in a multitude of in- stances.i A curious research in Masonic nomenclature "U'ill show, that every grand jurisdiction has that name as designating some of her subordinate Masonic or- ganizations. It was fii-st thus used in 1778, bj: aiodge in the Massachusetts line of the army^'^nd a curious instance of Washington's memory being honored by a lodge-name, was by a lodge of Masons in North Caro- lina, which had borne the name of the " Eoyal George" while that State was a colony of England, changing it to the " American George" after the Revolution.
During the summer of 1791, the Grand Lodge of Virginia pubHshed the first edition of her Book of Constitutions, or Neiv AMman Rezon as it was called, and dedicated it to Washington as follows :
"To George Washixgton, Esq., President of the United States of America, the following work is most respectfully dedicated by his obedient and devoted servant,
" The Editor."
»
During the same year, the Grand Lodge of Pennsyl- vania renewed its testimonials of respect for Washing- ton, by directing that an address be presented to him from that body, as seen by the following extracts from its records :
"December 27, 1701. "The Rev. Brother Dr. Smith and the Hio-ht Worsliipful Graml Officers were aiipointed a con)rnittee t address to our illustrious Brother George Washington,
142 WASHINGTON.
President of the United States. Lodge adjourned to the 2d day of January next to receive the report of the committee."
"January 2, 1792. " The minutes of St. John's-day being read as far as re- lates to the appointment of a committee to prepare an address to our illustrious Brother George Washington, the Eev. Brother Dr. William Smith, one of the said committee, pre- sented the draft of one, which was read ; whereupon, on mo- tion and seconded, the same was unanimously approved of, and resolved, that the Right Worshipful Grand Master and Deputy Grand Master and Grand OflScers, with Brother Smith, be a committee to present the said address in behalf of this Right Worshipful Grand Lodge, signed by the Right Worshipful Grand Master, and countersigned by the Grand Secretary."
"Maeou 5,1792. " The Right Worshipful Grand Master informed the breth- ren, that in conformity to the resolve of this Grand Lodge, he had, in company with the Grand Officers and the Rev. Brother Dr. Smith, presented the address to our illustrious Brother George Washington, and had received an answer, which was read. Whereupon, on motion and seconded, re- solved unanimously, that the said address and the answer thereunto shall be entered on the minutes."
With these prefatory extracts fi'om the records of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, we give the addi-ess and Washington's reply as therein recorded. Both were also published in the United States Gazette at Philadelphia, January 2, 1792, which, together with the record, fixes their date as that day. The address was presented to
WASHINGTON. 143
Washington in person by a committee of the Grand Lodge, with the Grand Master at its head, which ac- counts for the omission of date to these documents :
" To George WAsmNGTON,
President of the United States :
" Sir and Brother — The Ancient York Masons of the jurisdiction of Pennsylvania, for the first time assembled in General Communication to celebrate the feast of St. John the Evangelist since your election to the chair of government of the United States, beg leave to approach you with con- gratulations from the East, and, in the pride of fraternal affection, to hail you as the great master-builder (under the Supreme Architect), by whose labors the temple of liberty hath been reared in the West, exhibiting to the nations of the earth a model of beauty, order, and harmony; worthy of their imitation and praise.
" Your knowledge of the origin and objects of our insti- tution— its tendency to promote the social affections and harmonize the heart — give us a sure pledge that this tribute of our veneration, this effusion of love, will not be un- grateful to you ; nor will Heaven reject our prayer, that you may be long continued to adorn the bright list of master workmen which our Fraternity produces in the terrestrial lodge ; and that you may be late removed to that celestial lodge where love and harmony reign transcendent and divine ; where the Great Architect more immediately pre- sides, and where cherubim and seraphim wafting our con- gratulations from earth to heaven shall hail you brother I
"By order and in behalf of the Grand Lodge of Pennsyl- vania, in General Cominuuicution assembled in ample furm.
[l. s.] " J. B. Smith, G. M.
"Attest: r. Le IUrrier Du Pi.kssis, G. Sec."
144 WASHINGTON.
To tills address, Washington returned the following written reply :
" To THE Ancient York Masons of the jurisdiction of Penn- sylvania :
" Gentlemen and Brothers — I receive your kind cong-rat- tilation with the purest sensations of fraternal affection; and from a heart deeply imj^ressed with your generous wishes for my present and future happiness, I beg you to accept my thanks.
" At the same time I request you will be assured of my best wishes and earnest prayers for your happiness while you remain in this terrestrial mansion, and that we may hereafter meet as brethren in the celestial temple of the Su- preme Architect.
" G°. Washington."
Washington's residence was at tliat time in Phila- delphia, and it was at the presidential mansion in that city that this address was presented. We know not that while there during his presidency, he participated in the ritualistic labors of the lodge-room ; but the Masonic records of the Fraternity in that city state that they were often made the almoners of his bounty to those in distress. Charity was ever one of his dis- tinguished Masonic characteristics.
Masonry was at that time undergoing in this country one of those silent, yet constant changes that have ever marked its progress without disturbing its grand design. Its Cyclopean, its Egyptian walls — perhaps antediluvian in their designs — had long been in ruins. The trestle-board of its masters had since borne de- signs of Tyrian, of Greek, and of Boman skill ; and
WASHINGTON. 145
these too had taken their place among memorials of the past in the archives of Masonry. Our fathers, as Anglo-Saxon colonists, had brought with them to this country its more modern external forms; and two di\ided schools of design, each with cunning masters and faithful workmen, had endeavored to perpetuate forms in mystic architecture, which at most could claim no higher antiquity than a Norman or an Ehza- bethan age. For the purposes of our sketch, we may therefore consider the ceremonies and polity of Ma- sonry, which were introduced into America about the third decade of the last century under Henry Price, at Boston, as of the modern or EUzabethan school ; while those practised a few years later under Joseph Warren, by the self-styled Ancients, might be called the Nor- man features of Anglo-Saxon Freemasonry. Both were agreed in angular lines ; they only differed in those of curvature. Washington had been familiar with both these systems. He had been made a Mason under the first, and afterwards became afiiUated under the second. The veil which separated the bands of American workmen under each of these systems was rent in twain in Massachusetts in 1792, and a Book of Constitutions pubUshed for the government of the United Grand Lodge of that jurisdiction, which, by direction of that Grand Body, bore the following dedi- cation to Washington :
" In testimony of his exalted merit, and our inalienable regard, this work is inscribed and dedicated to our illus- trious Brother George Washington, the friend of Masonry, of his Country, and of Man."
7
146 WASHINGTON.
It was a quarto volume, aud besides the Masonic Constitutions of Massachusetts, it contained much of historic interest to Masonry, and was pubhshed for the Grand Lodge by Isaiah Thojias, afterwards Grand Master of that State, and author of the " History of Printing.''' By resolution of the Grand Lodge, a copy of this book was presented to Washington, accom- panied by the following address. The resolution bore date December 27th, and the address 2&th, 1792 :
"The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to their Honored and Illustrious Brother George Washington, Presi- dent OF THE United States : ' Sir — Whilst the historian is describing the career of your glory, and the inhabitants of an extensive empire are made happy in your unexampled exertions — while some celebrate the Hero, so distinguished in liberating United America, and others the Patriot who presides over her councils — a band of brothers, having always joined the acclamations of their countrymen, now testify their respect for those milder virtues which have ever graced the man.
" Taught by the precepts of our Society that all its mem- bers stand upon a level, we venture to assume this station, and to approach you with that freedom which diminishes our diffidence without lessening our respect.
" Desirous to enlarge the boundaries of social happiness, and to vindicate the ceremonies of their institution, tliis Grand Lodge have published a 'Book of Constitutions,' and a copy for your acceptance accompanies this, which, by dis- covering the principles that actuate, will speak the eulogy of the Society ; though they fervently wish the conduct of Its members may prove its higher commendation.
WASHINGTON. 147
" Convinced of his attachment to its cause, and readiness to encoiu-age its benevolent designs, they have taken the liberty to dedicate this work to one, the qualities of whose heart, and the action of whose life, have contributed to im- prove personal virtue, and extend throughout the world the most endearing cordialities ; and they humbly hope he will pardon this freedom, and accept the tribute of their esteem and homage.
"May the Supreme Architect of the Universe protect and bless you, give length of days and increase of felicity in this world, and then receive you to the harmonious an& exalted Society in heaven.
" John Cutler, Grand Master "JosiAH Bartlett,
FT, )
"Boston, December 29, a.l. 5792."
,, ,, -,_ , Grand Wardens.
" MuNGO Mackay,
To this address, Washington returned the following reply, both of which were pubhshed during his hfe- time in a volume of his speeches and addi-esses, issued in Boston, to which aUu&ion has been abeady made :
" To THE Grand Lodge or Free and Accepted Masons of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts :
" Gentlemen — Flattering as it may be to the human mind, and truly honorable as it is to receive from our fellow- citizens testimonials of approbation for exertions to promote the public welfare, it is not less pleasing to know that the milder virtues of the heart are highly respected by a sc^ciety whoso liberal principles are founded in the immutable laws of truth and justice.
" To enlarge the sphere of social happiness is worthy the benevolent design of the Masonic Institution, and it is most
148 WASHINGTON.
fervently to be wished that the conduct of every member of the Fraternity, as well as those publications that discover the principles which actuate them, may tend to convince mankind that the grand object of Masonry is to promote the happiness of the human race.
" While I beg your acceptance of my thanks for the ' Book of Constitutions' which you have sent me, and for the honor you have done me in the dedication, permit me to assure you that I feel all those emotions of gratitude which your affec- tionate address and cordial wishes are calculated to inspire. And I sincerely pray, that the Great Architect of the Uni- verse may bless you here, and receive you hereafter in his immortal Temple.
" G". Washington."
But it was not from Masons in his own country alone that Washington, at this period of liis life, received tes- timonials of distinguished consideration. Frederic the Great, of Prussia, who was at the head of Masonry in continental Europe, sent him an elegant sword with a complimentary inscription ; and the Earl of Buchan, who was Grand Master of Scotland from 1782-1785, sent him also a curious box made of wood from the oak-tree that sheltered Sir* William Wallace after his defeat at the battle of Falkii-k. These, though not strictly Masonic, but illustrate the sentiment of Ma- sonry, that,
" God hath made mankind one mighty brothcrbood, Himself their Master, and the world their Lodge."
CHAPTEK VIII.
"Washington re-elected President. — Lays the corner-stone of the Capitol. — Placed at the southeast corner. — Accounts of the procession and cere- monies, as given by the newspapers of that day. — Address of Joseph Clarke, Grand Master ^ro tern, on that occasion. — Washington's partici- pation as a Mason in these ceremonies justly a part of our public history. — Gave strength to the illusion that he was officially General Grand Master of the United States. — Washington's Masonic portrait in Ale.xandria. — Kecords of Lodge No. 22 relating to it. — Inscription on the back of it. — Its sash and apron represent those presented him by La Fayette. — Washington's farewell address.— His allusion in it to secret political societies. — Attempts long after his death to make these denunciations ap- ply to Masonry. — E.\tracts from records of the Grand Lodge of Pennsyl- vania relative to address to Washington. — Copy of the address. — His reply. — The inconsistency of the claim that he repudiated his Masonic connection. — His feelings when about to retire to private life. — His last presidential dinner. — Inauguration of Mr. Adams. — Washington's vale- dictory.— Affecting scene on that occasion.
ASHINGTON desired to return again to private life at the close of his first presi- dential term, but having been unani- mously re-elected, he yielded to tho l)ublic wish and the strong solicitations of his friends, and again accepted the presidency. His second inauguration took place in the Senate chamlicr in Philadelphia, on the 4th of March, 1793. Judge Gushing, of Massachusetts, administered to him the oath of ofhce. On the 18th of September of that year Washington
150 WASHINGTON.
laid the corner-stone of the Capitol of the United States, in the citj that bore his name. It was laid at the southeast corner of the edifice, it being the custom of our Masonic fathers to place it at that point, and not at the northeast as at present. The following account of the ceremonies on the occasion was published in the newspapers of that day.
" Geoegetown, September 21, 1793. " On Wednesday one of the grandest Masonic processions took place, for the purpose of laying the corner-stone of the Capitol of the United States, which, perhaps, was ever ex- hibited on the like important occasion. About ten o'clock. Lodge No. 9 was visited hy that congregation so graceful to the Craft, Lodge No. 22 of Virginia, with all their officers and regalia ; and directly afterwards appeared on , the southern banks of the grand river Potomac, one of the finest companies of volunteer artillery that hath been lately seen, parading to receive the President of the United States, who shortly came in sight with his suit, to whom the artil- lery paid their military honors ; and his Excellency and suit crossed the Potomac, and was received in Maryland by the officers and brethren of No. 22 Virginia, and No. 9 Mary- land, whom the President headed, preceded by a band of music ; the rear brought up by the Alexandria volunteer artillery, with grand solemnity of march, proceeded to the President's square, in the city of Washington, where they were met and saluted by No. 15 of the City of Washington in all their elegant badges and clothing, headed by Brother Joseph Clarke, E,t. W. G. M., P. T., and conducted to a large lodge prepared for the purpose of their reception. After a short space of time, by the vigilance of Brother Clotworthy StephExVson, Grand Marshal P. T., the brotherhood and
WASHINGTON.
151
other bodies were disposed in a second order of procession, which took pkice amidst a brilliant crowd of spectators of both sexes, according to the following arrangement, viz. :
"The Surveying Department of tlie City of Washington ;
" Mayor and Corporation of Georgetown ;
"Virginia Artillery ;
" C(nnmissioners of the City of Washington and their
attendants. " Stone-cutters. Mechanics. " The Sword-bearer.
152 WASHINGTON.
" Masons of the first degree.
"Bible, etc., on Grand Cushions.
" Deacons, with staffs of office.
" Masons of the second degx-ee.
"Stewards, with wands.
" Masons of the third degree.
" Wardens, with truncheons.
" Secretaries, with tools of office.
" Past Masters, with their regalia.
" Treasurers, with their jewels.
" Band of music.
" Lodge No. 22 of Virginia, disposed in their own order.
" Corn, Wine, and Oil.
" Grand Master pro tern., Brother George Washington, and
Worshipful Master of No. 22 of Virginia. " Grand Sword-bearer.
"The procession marched two abreast, in the greatest solemn dignity, with music playing, drums beating, colors flying, and spectators rejoicing, from the President's square to the Capitol in the City of Washington, where the Grand Marshal ordered a halt, and directed each file in the proces- sion to incline two steps, one to the right and one to the left, and face each other, which formed a hollow oblong square, through which the Grand Sword-bearer led the van, followed by the Grand Master P. T. on the left, the Presi- dent of the United States in the centre, and the Worshipful Master of No. 22 Virginia on the right ; all the other orders that composed the procession advanced in the reverse of their order of march from the President's square to the southeast corner of the Capitol, and the artillery filed off to a destined ground to display their manoeuvres and discharge their can- non ; the President of the United States, the Grand Master
WASHINGTON. 153
P. T., and the Worshipful Master of No. 22 taking their stand to the east of a large stone, and all the Craft forming a circle westward, stood a short time in awful order.
" The artillery discharged a volley. The Grand Marshal delivered the commissioners a large silver plate with an inscription thereon, which the commissioners ordered to be read, and was as follows :
" ' This Southeast corner-stone of the Capitol of the United States of America, in the City of Washington, was laid on the 18th day of September, 1193, in the thirteenth year of American independence, in the first year of the second term of the presidency of George Washington, whose virtues in the civil administration of his country have been as con- spicuous and beneficial, as his military valor and prudence have been useful in establishing her liberties, and in the year of Masonry, 5193, bj' the President of the United States, in concert with the Grand Lodge of Maryland, several lodges under its jurisdiction, and Lodge No. 22 from Alexandria, Virginia.
" ' Thomas Johnson, David Steuart, and Daniel Carroll, Commissioners ; Joseph Clarke, R. W. G. M., P. T. ; James Hoban and Stephen Hallate, Architects ; Collin William- son, M. Mason.'
" The artillery discharged a volley. The plate was then delivered to the President, who, attended by the Grand Master P. T., and three most Worshipful Masters, descended to the cavazion trench and deposed the plate, and laid it on the corner-stone of the Capitol of the United States of America, on which was deposed Corn, Wine, and Oil, when the whole congregation joined in reverential prayer, which
7*
154 WASHINGTON.
was succeeded by Masonic chanting honors, and a volley from the artillery.
" The President of the United States and his attendant brethren ascended from the cavazion to the east of the corner-stone ; and there the Grand Master P. T., elevated on a triple rostrum, delivered an oration fitting the occasion, which was received with brotherly love and commendation. At intervals, during the delivery of the oration, several volleys were discharged by the artillery. The ceremony ended in prayer, Masonic chanting honors, and a 15-volley from the artillery.
" The whole company retired to an extensive booth, where an ox of 500 lbs. weight was barbecued, of which the com- pany generally partook, with every abundance of other recreation. The festival concluded with fifteen successive volleys from the artillery, whose military discipline and manoeuvres merit every commendation. Before dark the whole company departed with joyful hopes of the produc- tion of their labor."
The following is a copy of the address of Joseph Clarke on the occasion, who acted as Grand Master pro tern, of the Grand Lodge of Maryland, in the Ma- sonic jurisdiction of which the Federal Capitol was bunt:
"My worthy Brethren — I presume you expect I shall in some measure address you on this very important occasion, which I confess is a duty incumbent upon me, although quite inadequate to the task, and entirely unprepai'ed ; for until high meridian yesterday, I was not solicited, neither had I a conception to have performed this duty. Therefore you will accept my observations with brotherly love; they are, I
WASHINGTON. 155
assure you, sincere, and dictated by a pure Masonic heart, though very brief.
Volley from the Artillery.
" Brothers, I beg leave to disclose to you that I have, and I expect that you also have, every hope that the grand work we have done to-day will be handed down, as well b}' record as by oral tradition, to as late posterity as the like work of that ever memorable Temple to our order erected by our Grand Master Solomon.
Volley from the Artillery.
" The work we have done to-day, laying the corner-stone of this designed magnificent temple, the Capitol of our ex- tensive and populous States of veteran republicans. States which were recovered, settled, and permanently established by the virtuous achievements and bravery of our most illustrious Br(jther George Washixgtox —
Volley from the Artillery.
"I say, that we further hope that this work may be re-- membered for many ages to come, as a similar work has from the commencement of time to this remarkable mo- ment ; I mean, the work of laying the corner-stone of our ancient, honorable, and sublime order.
Volley from the Artillery.
" We also hope that the Gi'and Architect of all men, Free- masons and others, may continue His great gifts of ability to all those concerned, to persevere in raising, not only on this particular corner-stone, but on every other corner-stone already planted in this extensive site for a commercial Federal city — edifices so durable with strength and beauty,
156 WASHINGTON.
that with common care and nurture, they may not envy time. And we further hope that the edifices which may he erected in this territory of Columbia, may T3e numerously inhabited with citizens, to merit every commendation for their virtue, honor, bravery, industry, and arts.
Volley from the Artillery.
" And 1 hope that our super-excellent order may here be indefatigably laborious, not only to keep in good repair our hallowed dome, but be incessantly industrious to adorn it with the grand theological virtues, faith, hope, and charity, and embellish it with wisdom, strength, and beauty.
Volley from the Artillery.
"My dear brethren, it would be ungrateful, indeed I think impossible, on this occasion not to notice, under the auspices of our most glorious divine Providence, the growth of this extensive city, in so sliort a period, by the assiduous, indefatigable labor and industry of all those very valuable characters for virtue, honor, industry, and ability, who have had not only the supreme command, but, in every grade.
Volley from the Artillery.
" Brothers, permit me to suggest to your good under- standings, if so much can be done by the local assistance of two-fifteenths of these vast States, by such an eminent Leader, excellent Director, Architects, Surveyors, and Me- chanics, what ought we to conceive will be done by them, when aided by the remaining thirteen-fifteenths, who will set to work with willing and powerful hands, not in a local and sparing, but in an infinite and loving manner ! And in addition thereto, an universality of individuals, like in-
I
WASHINGTON. 157
numerable hives of bees bestowing their industrious labor on this second paradise.
Volley from the Artillery. "Then, my dear brethren, Architecture, Masonry, Arts, and Commerce will grow with rapidity inconceivable to me ; therefore incomparable. Brethren, although I have neither wishes nor pretensions to divination, yet I venture to prophesy, from such intuitive sense, that all I have sug- gested to you will soon come to pass ; when we shall all hail, Blessed Territory of Columbia, — ^favored land, soon, very soon, indeed, shall the shores of thy peaceful and de- lightful city be visited by the commercial interests of the united world ; then happy thy sons, and thrice happy those whose prudence and foresiglit have induced them to become thy citizens I
^ Volley from the Artillery.
" It must, my dear brethren, be evident to all our under- standings, that not only nature, but Providence, have marked their intentions in the most indelible manner, to make the seat for the Grand Mark, the super-excellent emporium for Politics, Commerce, Arts, and Industry of the United States, — seated in the very centricity of our Republic, on the banks of one of the noblest rivers in the Universe, suffi- ciently capacious to erect thereon a city equal, if not su- perior in magnitude, to any in the world. It boasts, but then very truly, a climate the most serene and salubrious ; equal of accession to all the cardinal and intermediate points, as any place that kind nature has formed, even be- yond conception of art, wanting no defence, but what is in, and ever will be in, I trust, the intrepidity and bravery of its founder and citizens.
Volley from the Artillery.
158 WASHINGTON.
" x\ltliough it is not the growth of years, yet there is already planted in this garden or nursery of the Arts, and luith blossomed numerous flowers, that bloom with high lustre in their various departraents (not to mention its ever- to-be-remembered founder), but its financiers, conductors, projectors, delineators, and executive genuises without * number, and many of them not only brethren of our order, but brothers of superior, excellent, and suTaliine estimation.
Volley from, the AHillery.
" Certainly, my dear brethren, it must be as grateful to you, as it is to me, to possess the great pleasure of laying the corner-stone, which we hope, expect, and sincerely pray to produce innumerable corner-stones ; and that on every one of them may spring edifices, we fervently pray to the Great Grand Master of heaven, earth, and all things, of His immense wisdonij, strength, goodness, and mercy, to grant. So mote it be." >
Washington, altliougli liolding at tliis time no official rank in Masonry, except that of Past Master of Lodge No. 22, at Alexandi'ia, clotlied himself for the occasion with an apron and other insignia of a Mason, and, as the foregoing account shows, was honored with the chief place in the procession and ceremonies. The gavel which he used on the occasion was ivory, and is now in possession of Lodge No. 9, at Georgetown, which was represented by its officers and members in the procession. No act of Washington was more historic than this, and yet it has found no place on the pages of our country's history. It was he who was first in the hearts of all men, honoring Masomy bj his pres-
WASHINGTON. 159
ence as a brother, and sanctioning bj his participation as the chief actor in its highest pubhc ceremonies, its claims as an institution worthy of national confidence and regard. And jet the compilers of our country's annals have ignored the fact, or left it unrecorded on their pages, until their silence has been made to testify that "Washington disdained to publicly avow himseK a Mason. But he stood on that occasion before his brethren and the world as the representative of Solo- mon of old, who, the Jewish historian says, " laid the foundation of the Temple very deep in the gi-ound ; and the materials were strong stones, and such as would resist the force of time." Those who would blot the record of the mystic labors of Washington, would blush at the memory of one wiser than he.
There is no doubt but that tliis was one of the Ma- sonic incidents in Washington's history which aided in establishing and perpetuating the illusion that he was the official General Grand Master of the United States ; and yet, as we have ah'eady stated, such an office in Ameri- can Masonry is only a historic fiction. Many Ameri- can brethren have at various times advocated such a centralization of Masonic power and dignity; but to Washington only has been accorded the worthiness to hold it. He Hved and died the patron imr excellence of American Masoniy ; and her voice as spoken by her orators on public occasions, her muse as breathed in her songs and festive toasts, have sometimes appro- priated to him a proposed, but never invested title. When another Washington shall enroll his name upon our American records, and engi-ave his virtues upon our hearts, perhaps then, but not till then, will all ac-
160 WASHINGTON.
cord united Masonic homage to a General American Grand Master.
There is a striking representation of the features and person of Washington at this period of his life, and perhaps the Masonic dress that he wore at the laying of the corner-stone of the Capitol, still in possession of his old lodge. No. 22, at Alexandria, We have given an accurate copy of this almost unknown original por- trait of Washington at the commencement of this volume, and we trust the following extracts from the old records of Alexandria Lodge will justify us in so doing :
"August 29, 1793.— Elisha C. Dick, Master. The Wor- shigful Master informed the lodge that he convened them in consequence of an offer of Mr. WiLLiAiis to comph'ment them with the portrait of the President of the United States, pro- vided they make application to him (the President) for that purpose ; and upon taking into consideration the proposal of Mr. Williams, they determined that the following address, signed by the officers of the lodge, be immediately for- warded to our illustrious Brother, the President of the United States."
We regret much that we are unable to give the letter or address, as the above record calls it, of the lodge to Washington, and his reply ; but they are not recorded, nor do we know that they are preserved, or any copies of them in existence. That the apphcation met with a favorable response is seen fi'om the following fui'ther extracts from the records :
" October 25, 1194. — Mr. Williams having offered to the
WASHINGTON. 161
lodge a drawing of our worthy Brother George Washixg- TON, President of the United States, the sanie is received ; and in consequence of the trouble and expense Mr. Williams was at in going to and coming from Philadelphia, it is pro- posed that the members of the lodge pay him fifty dollars, to be raised by voluntary subscription. Brother Gillis having offered to receive the subscriptions, a list of the members, both town and country, is presented him for that purpose."
"November 22, 1194. — Received and read a letter from Mr. Williams, portrait painter, praying for further compen- sation for painting the President's picture. Ordered to lie over till next lodge-night, or until the Worshipful Master returns."
"December 20, lt94. — A letter from Mr. Williams was read, prayiug (as stated last lodge-night) a further com- pensation for drawing the President's picture. The lodge are of opinion that in tlie sum of fifty dollars paid him, he has received full compensation for the same. The lodge, more- over, consider the fifty dollars already paid him a mere gratuity, inasmuch as application was made to the Presi- dent to sit for his portrait at -the request of Mr. Williams, who proposed, should the application be successful, to com- pliment them with his portrait, promising himself great pecu- niary advantages by the sale of copies. The lodge having taken into consideration the propriety of paying the fifty dollars fur the President's picture by voluntary subscrip- tion, have resolved the same shall be paid out of the funds of the lodge."
On the back of tlio canvas is the following inscrip- tion, apparently in the handwriting of Mr. Williams :
162 ■ WASHINGTON.
" His Excellency George Washington, Esquire, President of the United States. Aged 64. Williams, Pinxit ad vivum ill Philadelphia, September 18, 1794."
This portrait was placed in an elegant gilt frame, and hung upon the walls of the lodge-room. Its collar and jewel are those of a Past Master, a rank which Washington held in his lodge ; and its sash and apron represent those presented to him by Messrs. Watson & Cassoul.
Washington's second term of the presidency was now drawing to a close, and he deemed it his duty publicly to announce to his fehow-citizens his deter- mination to retire from public hfe. He accordingly, in the summer of 1796, prepared, while at Mount Vernon, his Farewell Address, which he caused to be pubhshed in the Philadelphia Advertiser in September of that year. No document ever came from the pen of an American statesman with words of more profound wisdom ; and it has ever been regarded as the richest legacy which Washington bestowed on the citizens of America. It was widely circulated by public printers ; legislative bodies ordered it enrolled on their journals, and it has come down to us as sacred as any waitings from an uninspired pen. ...,——'
In contemplating the then existing state of Ameri- can society, and the dangers in introducing and culti- vating principles of foreign growth, Washington had, in alhision to certain pohtical societies in Europe which were seeking to propagate their pernicious doc- trines by secret organizations for political purposes, cautioned his fellow-citizens to beware of them. As
WASHINGTON. 1 63
in later years a set of political zealots attempted to torture liis expression of " beware of secret societies," into a denunciation against tlie Masonic institution, it "will be only necessary for the candid reader to see that such an idea, with such facts as we have already given in Washington's Masonic history, and such as will follow unto the close of this sketch, could not have been conceived by him, or so understood by his fellow- citizens at that day.
The address was published in Philadelphia in Sep- tember, and on the 5th of the following December, at an extra Grand Communication of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, in the same city, its records state —
" A committee was appointed to form an address to be presented on the ensuing feast of St. John, December 27, to the Great Master Workman, our ilhistrious Brother Wash- ington, on the occasion of his intended retirement from pub- lic labors, to also be laid before the said Grand Lodge on St. John's day ; and the Right Worshipful Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, and Brothers Sadler, Milnor, and Williams were accordingly appointed."
December 27, 1796. — St. John's day, the records state —
"The committee to prepare an address to our Brother George Washington, President of the United States, pre- sented an address by them drawn up, which was ordered to be read.
" It was then moved and seconded, that the same be adopted ; and upon the question being taken, it appeared that it was approved of.
164 WASHINGTON.
" On motion and seconded, it was agreed that a committee be appointed to wait on Brother Washington to acquaint him that it is the intention of this Grand Lodge to present an address to him, and to know at what time he shall be pleased to receive it.
" The committee appointed to perform this duty were Brothers William Smith, Peter La Barbier Duplessis, and Thomas Proctor, who after having waited on him, reported that he had appointed to-morrow at twelve o'clock to receive it.
"The committee — to wit, Brothers William Smith, Du- plessis, and Proctor — together with the Right Worshipful Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, Senior and Junior Grand Wardens, Grand Secretary, and the Masters of the different lodges in the city, were then appointed a deputa- tion to present the said address."
At the time appointed this grand committee met Washington at his residence, where the following ad- dress was presented in writing, and his written reply was soon afterwards returned :
" To George Washington, President of the United States :
" Most Respected Sir and Brother — Having announced your intention to retire from public labor to that refresh- ment to which your pre-eminent services for near half a century have so justly entitled you, permit the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania at this last feast of our Evangelic Master, St. John, on which we can hope for immediate communica- tion with you, to join the grateful voice of our country in acknowledging that you have carried forth the principles of the lodge in every walk of your life, by your constant labor^ for the prosperity of that country ; by your unremitting en- deavors to promote order, union, and brotherly affection
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amongst us ; and, lastly, by the views of your farewell ad- dress, which we trust our children's children will ever look upon as a most valuable legacy from a friend, a benefactor, and a father.
" To these our grateful acknowledgments (leaving to the pen of history to record the important events in which you have borne so illustrious a part), permit us to add our most fervent prayers, that after enjoying to the utmost span of human life, every felicity which the terrestrial lodge can afford, you may be received by the Great Master Builder of this world, and of worlds unnumbered, into the ample felicity of that celestial lodge, in which alone dis- tinguished virtues and distinguished labors can be eternally rewarded.
" By the unanimous order of the Grand Lodge of Penn- sylvania.
" William Moore Smith, G-. M.
" December 27, Anno Lucis 5796." " — '^
The original of the following reply in Washington's handwriting is still in the archives of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania : »
" Fellow-Citizexs and Brothers of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania — I have received your address with all the feelings of brotherly affection, mingled with those senti- ments for the society, which it was calculated to excite.
" To have been in any degree an instrument in the hands of Providence to promote order and union, and erect upon a solid foundation the true principles of government, is only to have shared, with many others, in a labor, the result of which, let us hope, will prove through all ages a sanctuary for brothers, and a lodge for the virtues.
"Permit me to reciprocate your prayers for my temporal happiness, and to supplicate that we may all meet hero-
166 WASHINGTON.
after, iii that eternal temple, whose builder is the Great
Architect of the Universe.
"G". Washington."
Let those commentators on Washington's Farewell Address, who would torture his caution to " beware of secret societies" into an allusion to Freemasonry, place this record, which was made but a few months after it, by its side, and they will see how erroneous and un- just their conclusions have been. With such a foreign idea banished from the mind, the reader, to understand fully the import of this correspondence between Wash- ington and the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, and the Farewell Address, must remember that the closing scenes of his administration were so embittered with party strife, that w^hen the subject of a reply to his last address to the House of Eepresentatives was be- fore that body, some of its members opposed the com- mon courtesies that vt^ere due to the retii-ing President. The members of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania were mostl}^ residei^s of the city where such base in- gratitude was manifested for the past serAdces of Washington, and probably belonged to both of the political parties of that day. But as Masons they rose above the warfare of politicians, and tendered to him their grateful acknowledgments for his past services, leaving (to use theii' own significant language) "to the pen of history to record the important events in which he had borne so illustrious a part." Washing- ton's reply shows that he fully appreciated their kind sentiments. How ardently he sought rest at this period from his public labors may be seen from a let- ter written to his friend, and Masonic Brother, General
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Knox, twodaj:s_i)efQJceJais retirement from tlie presi- dency] To Mm he could confide the most sacred feel- ings of a Mason's heart ; and it is singular to remark in all his epistolary correspondence that the tenderest effusions of his pen were for those friends who were bound to him by the ties of Masonic brotherhood. On this occasion he says :
" To the wearied traveller who sees a resting-place, and is bending his body to lean thereon, I now compare myself ; but to be suffered to do this in peace, is too much to be endured by some. To misrepresent my motives, to reprobate my politics, and to weaken the confidence which has been reposed in my administration, are objects which cannot be relinquished by those who will be satisfied with nothing- short of a change in our political system. The consolation, however, which results from conscious rectitude, and the approving voice of my country, unequivocally expressed by its representatives, deprives their sting of its poison, and place in the same point of view, the weakness and malig- nity of their efforts."
The closing scene of Washington's administration was on the 4th of March, 1797. Upon the day pre"\dous he had given his last presidential dinner, at which many official dignitaries and personal friends were present. On this occasion when the cloth was re- moved, he took a glass of wine, and raising it to his lips, said : " Ladies and gentlemen, this is the last time I shall drink your health as a public man. I do it with sincerity, wishing you all possible happiness." There was profound silence when this toast was drank, and tears stiiinod the cheeks of many guests at the farewell dinner of Washington.
168 WASHINGTON.
Washington's administration closed on the following day, and Mr. Adams was inaugurated his successor. On this occasion he publicly appeared for the last time as President, and having introduced Mr. Adams to the assemblage before him, he read to them a brief vale- dictory which he had prepared. His parting words met with responsive sobs fi'om the audience, and his ovm. great heart swelled with emotions till the tears feU from his cheeks. As he retired from the scene before him, he was followed by a multitude of citizens, all eager to catch the last look of one they loved so well. At his own door he turned to express his acknowledg- ment to the people ; but his voice failed him, and it Avas only by a wave of his hand that he could convey a fareweU blessing.