Chapter 3

M. Harris, R.W. Josiah Bartlett, Bro. Thomas

✦

Edwards, were appointed a committee for that
purpose."

In response to above resolution the following ad
dress was sent to Brother WASHINGTON at Mount
Vernon dated Boston, March 21, 5797, viz.:

102

Wttb tbe <5ran& Xo&ge of flDassacbusetts

"The East, the West and the South, of the Grand
Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Com
monwealth of Massachusetts.
To Their Most Worthy George Washington."
"Wishing ever to be foremost in testimonials of
respect and admiration for those virtues and services
with which you have so long adorned and benefited
our common country; and not the last nor least, to
regret the cessation of them, in the public councils
of the Union; your Brethren of the Grand Lodge
embrace the earliest opportunity of greeting you in
the calm retirement you have contemplated to your
self. Though as citizens they lose you in the active
labors of political life, they hope, as Masons, to find
you in the pleasing sphere of Fraternal engagement.
" From the cares of state and the fatigues of pub
lic business our institution opens a recess affording
all the relief of tranquility, the harmony of peace and
the refreshment of pleasure. Of these may you par
take in all their purity and satisfaction; and we will
assure ourselves that your attachment to this social
plan will increase; and that under the auspices of
your encouragement, assistance and patronage, the
Craft will attain its highest ornament, perfection and
praise. And it is our ardent prayer, that when your
light shall be no more visible in this earthly temple,
you may be raised to the All Perfect Lodge above;
be seated on the right of the Supreme Architect of
the Universe, and there receive the refreshment your
labors merited.

103

flDasonic Correspondence of Waabinoton

" In behalf of the Grand Lodge, we subscribe our
selves with the highest esteem,
"Your affectionate Brethren,

"PAUL REVEKE, Grand Master.
" ISAIAH THOMAS, S. Grand Warden.
" JOSEPH LAUGHTON, J. Grand Warden.
"Daniel Oliver, Grand Secretary,
"Boston, 21st March, 5797."

For some unaccountable reason the delivery of the
address was delayed and not received at Mount
Vernon until late in April. The original draft of
WASHINGTON'S reply to the Grand Lodge of Massa
chusetts in his own handwriting and signature as well
as an autograph note of apology for the seeming
delay to Grand Master Paul Revere and his officers
dated Mount Vernon, April 24, 1797, are in the
Manuscript Department in the Library of Con
gress, viz.:

" To PAUL REVERE GRAND MASTER, ISAIAH
"THOMAS SENIOR GRAND WARDEN AND
"JOSEPH LAUGHTON JUNR GRAND WARDEN.
fe Brothers,

"I am sorry that the en-
" closed answer to the affectionate address
" of the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and
"Accepted Masons, of the Commonwealth
" of Massachusetts transmitted under your

104

1735-1818.
GRAND MASTER OF MASONS IN MASSACHUSETTS, 1797.

%Lc><2Sl^'S'^^

x^L«^^ _^^£
LX/

FAC-SIMILE OF AUTOGRAPH LETTER FROM WASHINGTON TO PAUL REVERE

AND THE OFFICERS OF THE GRAND LODGE OF MASSACHUSETTS,

APRIL 24, 179T.

105

106

noasonic Correspon&ence of

AT^£ c£t^fflcr-i'j&- ^2, ^-^L^cx-^r ^r ^^^^^^z^^oZ^ ^Wy
Luz^£ as^G^t^&^^r & 4&e>^*^^ /Z3^ fCc^cs?*. ^

107

fiDasonic Correspondence of Waebtngton

"signatures, should appear so much out

from

"of season; but /\ the lapse of time between
"the date & reception of the address (from
"what cause I know not) it was not to be
"avoided, and is offered as an apology, for
"the delay. With brotherly affection
"I am always yours,

^ *

"Mount Vernon,
"24tb April 1797."

Following is a copy of WASHINGTON'S original
draft of his reply to the Grand Lodge of Massachu
setts. It is written upon two pages of a letter sheet
entirely in his handwriting and signed by him.

" To THE GRAND LODGE or ANCIENT, FREE &
"ACCEPTED MASONS, OF THE COMMONWEALTH
" OF MASSACHUSETTS.

"It was not until within
"these few days that I have been favoured by
"the receipt of your affectionate Address
"dated in Boston the 21st of March

" For the favourable sentiments
" you have been pleased to express on the

108

Witb tbe 6rant> %O&QC of flDaseacbusetts

"occasion of my past services, and for the
" regrets with which they are accompani-
" ed for the cessation of my public functions,
" I pray you to accept my best acknowledg-
"ments and gratitude. —

"No pleasure, except that wch
"results from a consciousness of having, to
"the utmost of my abilities, discharged,
"the trusts which have been reposed in
" me by my Country, can equal the satis
" faction I feel from the unequivocal proofs
"I continually receive of its approbation
" of my public conduct, and I beg you to be
" assured that the evidence thereof which
" is exhibited by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts
"is not among the least pleasing, or grate
" f ul to my feelings. —

"In that retirement which decli-
" ning years induced me to seek, and which
" repose, to a mind long employed in pub-
"lic concerns, rendered necessary, my wish
"es that bounteous Providence will conti-
"nue to bless & preserve our country in
" Peace & in the prosperity it has enjoyed, will
"be warm & sincere; and my attachment
"to the Society of which we are members
"will dispose me always, to contribute my
" best endeavours to promote the honor &
"interest of the Craft.-

109

flDasontc Corre0pon5ence of MasbinQton

" For the prayer you offer in
"my behalf I entreat you to accept the
"thanks of a grateful heart; with the as-
" surance of fraternal regard and best
"wishes for the honor, happiness & prospe-
" rity of all the members of the Grand Lodge
" of Massachusetts."

The original letter is said to be in possession of
the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. No photo
graphic fac-simile of the document, however, could
be obtained.

ANCIENT JEWEL OF THE GRAND LODGE OF MARYLAND.
110

XIV

CORRESPONDENCE WITH GRAND LODGE OF MARY
LAND, NOVEMBER, 1798.

the year 1798, the danger of a war with
France had become so imminent, on ac
count of the aggressions of that govern
ment towards the United States, that
Congress ordered a provisional army to be raised,
the command of which was tendered to WASHING
TON, with the rank of Lieutenant-General, an honor
which was reluctantly accepted by WASHINGTON.
During the summer a scourge of yellow fever had
again visited Philadelphia, which caused Congress
to adjourn, July 16, and the public offices to be re
moved for the time being to Trenton, N. J. All
danger of the fever being over, WASHINGTON, on
November 5, started for Trenton. He arrived at
Baltimore, November 7, and was waited on at his
quarters by William Belt on, Grand Master of the

Grand Lodge of Maryland, his Deputy and other

fiDasonic Gorresponbence of Washington

Brethren and presented with a copy of the New Ahi-
man Rezon and the following address,58 viz.:

"To GEORGE WASHINGTON, ESQ.,

Lieutenant General and Commander-in-chief

of the Armies of the United States.
"Sir and Brother:

"The Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free
Masons for the State of Maryland, wishing to
testify the respect in which the whole fraternity in
this State hold the man who is at once the ornament
of the Society and of his country, vote a copy of the
Constitution of Masonry, lately printed under its
authority, to be presented to you.

"Accept, Sir and Brother, from our hands this
small token of the veneration of men who consider
it as the greatest boast of their Society, that a
WASHINGTON openly avows himself a member
of it, and thinks it worthy of his approbation. With
it accept also our warmest congratulations in the
name of the body which we represent, on your reap-
pointment to that elevated station in which you
formerly wrought the salvation of your country;
and on your restoration to the inestimable blessing
of health which, that the Almighty disposer of
events may continue to accord to you uninterrup
tedly, is the most earnest prayer of your most re-

58 Cf. " Freemasonry in Maryland," by Edw. J. Schultz, Baltimore,
1884, Vol. I, pp. 265-266.

112

FAC-SIMILE (REDUCED) OF THE ORIGINAL DRAFT OF WASHINGTON'S

/#**

;/&•*

<-y

'*•?*

LETTER TO THE GRAND LODGE OF MARYLAND.-ELKTON, MD., NOV. 8, 1798.

RIGHT.

With tbe <5ran& Xo&ge of flDan>lan&

spectfully affectionate Brethren and most humble
servants.

" Signed, WM. BELTON, R.. W..G..M..
"Peter Little, Grand Secretary,
"Baltimore, November 5th, 1798."

To this address WASHINGTON sent a reply, the
original draft of which is in the Library of Congress,
written upon two pages of a letter sheet, and differs
somewhat from the final copy sent to the Grand
Lodge from Elkton, where WASHINGTON spent the
next day. It will be recalled that but two weeks had
elapsed since he wrote his last letter to Dominie
Snyder of Fredericktown, and this fact was evi
dently in his mind when he wrote this letter to the
Maryland Brethren.

Upon second thought he eliminated the lines bear
ing upon the insinuations in Snyder's letter. Fol
lowing is a copy of the letter as originally written,
viz.:

" To THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE OF FREE

" MASONS FOR THE STATE OF MARYLAND.
"Gentlemen <% Brothers,

" Your obliging & affectionate

" letter, together with a copy of the Constitutions of
" Masonry has been put into my hands by
"your Grand Master; for which I pray you to
"accept my best thanks. —

9 113

HDasontc Correspondence of Washington

"So far as I am

"acquainted with the principles & Doctrines of
" Free Masonry, I conceive it to be founded
" in benevolence and to be exercised only
" for the good of mankind. If it has been a
"Cloak to promote improper or nefarious
"objects, it is a melancholly proof that
"in unworthy hands, the best institutions
" may be made use of to promote the worst
" designs. —

"While I offer my grateful

" acknowledgements for your congratulations on my
" late appointments, and for the favorable sentiments
" you are pleased to express of my conduct, permit
" me to observe, that at this important &
"critical moment, when repeated and
"high indignities have been offered to this
" government your country and the rights & property
" of our Citizens plundered without a prospect of
"redress, I conceive it to be the indispensable
" duty of every American, let his situation & cir
" cumstances in life be what they may, to come
" forward in support of the government of his country
" and to give all the aid in his power toward
"maintaining that independence which we have
"so dearly purchased; and under this impression,
" I did not hesitate to lay aside all personal
" considerations and accept my appointment.
" I pray you to be assured that I ap-

114

Mitb <5ran& %O&QC of

" predate, with sincerity your kind wishes for
"my health & happiness.

" I am GentP & brothers
"very respectfully

"Yr most oV servV

**"

Before this letter was sent, the five words on the
tenth line and the whole of next five lines were
eliminated; there was also a slight change made in
the last paragraph on the second page.

Following is a copy of the letter as received by the
Grand Lodge of Maryland. The original letter
was in the possession of the Grand Lodge of Mary
land, as late as 1833, but it has since disappeared.

"To THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE OF

FREE MASONS FOR THE STATE OF MARYLAND.
ff Gentlemen and Brothers:

'Your obliging and affectionate letter, together
with a copy of the Constitution of Masonry, has
been put into my hands by your Grand Master, for
which I pray you to accept my best thanks. So far
as I am acquainted with the principles and doctrines
of Freemasonry, I conceive them to be founded on
benevolence, and to be exercised for the good of

59 ibid., p. 266.

115

HDasonfc Correspon&ence of Washington

mankind; I cannot, therefore, upon this ground
withdraw my approbation from it.

"While I offer my grateful acknowledgements
for your congratulations on my late appointment,
and for the favorable sentiments you are pleased to
express of my conduct, permit me to observe, that,
at this important and critical moment, when high
and repeated indignities have been offered to the
Government of our country, and when the property
of our citizens is plundered without a prospect of
redress, I conceive it to be the indispensable duty of
every American, let his station and circumstances in
life be what they may, to come forward in support
of the Government of his choice and to give all the
aid in his power towards maintaining that independ
ence which we have so dearly purchased; and under
this impression, I did not hesitate to lay aside all
personal considerations and accept my appointment.
I pray you to be assured that I receive with grati
tude your kind wishes for my health and happiness
and reciprocate them with sincerity.

"I am, Gentlemen and Brothers,
"Very Respectfully,

"Your most Ob't Servant,

J^-

Elkton, November 8th, 1798.3

116

BY CHARLES BALTHAZAR FEVERET DE SAINT MEMIN.
THE LAST PORTRAIT OF WASHINGTON FROM LIFE, TAKEN IN PHILADELPHIA, NOVEMBER, 1798.

CORRESPONDENCE WITH G. W. SNYDER, 1798.

AS to the correspondence with one G. W.
Snyder (Schneider), who represented
himself as a preacher of the Reformed
Church of Fredericktown, Maryland,
our late Brother James M. Lamberton, in his ad
dress before the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge
of Pennsylvania, at the celebration of the " Sesqui-
centennial Aniversary of the initiation of Brother
GEORGE WASHINGTON into the Fraternity of Free
masons," held in the Masonic Temple, in the City
of Philadelphia on Wednesday, November the fifth,
A. D. 1902, states:60

"It is well known that during the French Revo
lution religion was dethroned, and reason installed
in the place of Deity. The spreading of such doc
trines was by many ascribed to the ' Illuminati,' who
were supposed to be Masons. During this period

so " Memorial Volume, Washington Sesqui-centennial Anniversary,"
Philadelphia, 1902, p. 165.

117

fiDaeonic Gorrespon&ence of Wasbtneton

clubs like the Jacobin Clubs in France were formed
in this country, and the spread of these doctrines was
greatly feared, especially by the clergy, and in 1798
one of them, one G. W. Snyder, of Frederick-
town, Maryland, wrote to Washington sending at
the same time a book entitled 'Proofs of a Con
spiracy,' etc., by John Robison,61 the conspiracy
being ' to overturn all government and all religion."62
This letter, sent to Washington at Mount Vernon
covered no less than six pages; following is a ver
batim copy of the original now in the Library of
Congress.

" To His EXCELLENCY GEORGE WASHINGTON.

62 The original letter of August 22, 1798, is among the Washington
papers in the Library of Congress; a photostat of same is in the
Archives of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.

118

Witb <5. W.

t '&&*^' &s*t~0 ^fi

• ^

FAC-SIMILE OF FIRST PAGE OF LETTER FROM G. W. SNYDER TO WASHING
TON, AUGUST 22, 1798.

119

flDasonfc Correspondence of Washington

burning in | my Breast. At the same Time that I
am | exulting in the Measures adopted by our | Gov
ernment, I feel myself elevated in ] the Idea of my
adopted Country, I am | attached, both from the
Bent of Educa | tion and mature Enquiry and
Search to the simple Doctrines of Christianity, |
which I have the Honor to teach in | Public; and I
do heartily Despise all the | Cavils of Infidelity.
Our present Time | pregnant with the most shocking
Events and Calamities, threatens Ruin to | our Lib
erty and Government. | The most secret Plans are
in Agitation; | Plans calculated to ensnare the Un
wary, | to attract the Gay irreligious, and to en
tice even the Well-Disposed to combine in | the gen
eral Machine for overturning all | Government and
all Religion.

" It was some Time since that a Book | fell into
my hands, entitled c Proofs of | a Conspiracy, &c. by
John Robison,' which gives a full Account of a
Society of Free | Masons, that distinguishes itself by
the | name of ' Illuminati,' whose Plan is to over |
throw all Government and all Religion, even nat
ural; and who endeavor to eradicate | every Idea of
a Supreme Being, and distin | guish Man from Beast
by his shape only. | A Thought suggested itself to
me, that some | of the Lodges in the United States
might | have caught the Infection, and might co
oper | ate with the Illuminati or the Jacobin Club |
in France. Fauchet is mentioned by Robinson | as
a zealous Member ; and who can doubt | Genet and

120

Wftb (5, m.

' , / </

/X^'/ 4tsts fr^&

-^t2*^f-*u' <e-*^r SL3&0-7-0 sts/dL c^w'sts&tA-' 4^0-r
/ ^ ^ / ^

FAC-SIMILE OF FOURTH PAGE OF LETTER FROM G. W. SXYDER TO WASHING
TON, AUGUST 22, 1798.

121

fiDasomc Correspon&ence of Washington

Adet? Have not these their con | fidants in this
country? They use the same | Expressions, and are
generally Men of no | Religion. Upon serious Re
flection I was led to think that it might be within
your Power to prevent the horrid Plan from | cor
rupting the Brethren of the English Lodges | over
which you preside.

" I send you the * Proof of a Conspiracy,' &c. |
which I doubt not, will give you Satis | faction, and
afford you matter for a | Train of ideas, that may
operate to our | national Felicity. If, however, you
have | already perused the Book, it will not, I trust,
be disagreeable to you that 1 1 have presumed to ad
dress you with this Letter and the Book accompany
ing it. ] It proceeded from the Sincerity of my |
Heart, and my ardent Wishes for the | common Good.

" May the Supreme Ruler of all | Things continue
You long with us in | these perilous Times : may he
endow you | with Strength and Wisdom to save our |
Country in the threating Storms and gathering
Clouds of Factions and Com motions ! and after you
have completed | his Work, on this terrene Spot,
may He bring you to the full Possession of the \
glorious Liberty of the Children of God, | is the
hearty and most sincere Wish of

"Your Excellency's very humble and]

"devoted Servant,

"G. W. SNYDEK.

"Fredericktown, (Maryland) Aug. 22, 1798.
"His Excellency General George Washington."

122

4Sf

FAC-SIMILE OF PRESS COPY OF WASHINGTON'S

ANSWER TO REV. G. W. SNYDER.-SEPTEMBER 25. 1798.

(5, W. Sn^&er (Scbnei&er)

This man Snyder (Schneider) was an agitator and
thoroughly irresponsible person, having no ecclesi
astical connection with any organized Church Body.

In the year 1787, Schneider came from Albany,
New York, to Frederick, ostensibly to collect money
to build a Church. He was kindly received and per
mitted to preach in the Reformed Congregation,
where he soon fomented discord and trouble.

Schneider was soon driven out of Frederick Town,
but returned again in 1794, when he renewed the
trouble in the Church, which ended in a schism. The
matter finally got into the Civil Court, and on Feb
ruary 15, 1800 the case was decided against him,
which ended his activity in Frederick Town; soon
after which he left for parts unknown.621

Snyder, who was not a native of this country, evi
dently labored under the impression that WASHING
TON was a Grand Master General, who presided over
all of the English (or Symbolic) Masonic Lodges
in the United States. Snyder evidently used the
term "English" Lodges, to distinguish them from
the Masonic bodies working in the so-called higher
(Scotch) degrees, as are now known as the Ancient
and Accepted Scottish Rite.

How important WASHINGTON considered this cor
respondence is shown by his precaution in taking a
press copy of both of his letters to Snyder, who he

62aCf. Historical sketch of the Evangelical Reformed Church of
Frederick, Maryland, 1904, pp. 22-25.

123

flDasontc Correspondence of Washington

was led to believe was the regular pastor of the Ger
man Reformed Congregation at Fredericktown.
These are now in the Library of Congress. It will be
noted that in all of his other Masonic correspond
ence, copies were made in his regular letter books
by his clerks, of both address and reply. Brother
WASHINGTON evidently surmised that this letter
from Snyder was nothing more or less than a scheme
to entrap him. It was not until a month had elapsed,
and then only after due consideration, that the fol
lowing reply was sent to Fredericktown, viz. :

"MOUNT VERNON, 25th Sept. 1798.
"Sir,

"Many apologies are
"due to you, for my not acknowledging
"the receipt of your obliging favour of

for

" the 22d ult, and /\ not thanking you, at
" an earlier period for the Book you
"had the goodness to send me.

" I have heard much of the ne-
"farious & dangerous plan, & doctrines
" of the Illuminati, but never saw the
"Book until you were pleased to send
"it to me. The same causes which
"have prevented my acknowledging the
* receipt of your letter, have prevented
'my reading the Book, hitherto, name-

124

FAC-SIMILE OF PRESS COPY OF WASHINGTON'S SECOND

-&—*£.

LETTER TO REV. G. W. SNYDER.-ocroBER 24, 1798.

Wasbtngton's IRepi?

" ly, the multiplicity of matters which

"pressed upon before, & the debilitated
" state in which I was left after a se
" vere fever had been removed, and
" which allows me to add little more now,
"than thanks for your kind wishes and
"favourable sentiments, except to cor-
"rect an error you have run into, of my
"presiding over the English Lodges in
"this Country. The fact is, I preside over
"none, nor have I been in one, more than

thirty
"once or twice, within the last years.

"I believe notwithstanding, that
"none of the Lodges in this Country are
"contaminated with the principles as-
" cribed to the society of the Illuminati."
"With respect
" I am, Sir,

"Your Obedfc Hble Servc

' The Reva Mr Snyder.
Endorsed

to
" The Rev* Mr. Snyder.

"25th Sep. 1798."

125

noasonic Correspondence of Washington

In this letter WASHINGTON was correct in stating
that he had not presided over the " English Lodges
in this Country," undoubtedly meaning as Grand
Master General.

Where WASHINGTON says "The fact is I preside
over none" he meant that he did not then preside
over any individual lodge, as he at that time was a
Past Master of Alexandria Lodge, No. 22, of
Virginia.63

Where he says "Nor have I been in one, [mean
ing an individual lodge] more than once or twice
within the last thirty years" he obviously had in
view his occasional visits to the various lodges dur
ing that period, and that he could not, on account
of his official duties and other conditions, attend any
lodge regularly.

As a matter of record, WASHINGTON was a mem
ber of Alexandria Lodge, No. 39, of Pennsylvania,64
and attended some of its meetings at Alexandria in
1783 and 1784, as is shown by the Minutes of the
Lodge, and the records here presented.65 Further,
that when the Brethren of Alexandria Lodge, No.
39, changed their allegiance from Pennsylvania to
Virginia, General WASHINGTON was especially
named in the warrant, after his consent having been

63 Cf. "Washington, The Man and Mason," p. 288.

64 Vide " Sesqui-Centennial Anniversary of the Initiation of Brother
George Washington before quoted," p. 149.

65 Cf. Chapters II and III supra.

126

Masbineton W. flD* of %o5se Wo. 22

first obtained,66 and thereby became the Warrant
Master of Lodge No. 22, under the Virginia juris
diction, April 28, 1788, serving as such until Decem
ber 20 following, when, as the minutes of that date
show,67 he was unanimously elected to succeed him
self for the full term, serving in all about twenty
months.

The records further show that, in 1778, WASHING
TON occupied the chief position in the procession at
the celebration of St. John the Evangelist by the
Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia in
1778, in which more than three hundred Brethren
joined.68

He also occupied the same position when he laid
the corner stone of the present capitol at Washing
ton, September 18, 1793, clothed with the Masonic
Apron presented by Lafayette, which is now in the
Museum of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.
Upon both of these occasions, WASHINGTON made a
public profession of his membership in the Masonic
Fraternity.

Records show that WASHINGTON was present at
the meeting of American Union Lodge (a Military

66 Cf. ".Washington, The Man and Mason," p. 286.

67 Ibid., December 20, 1789. His excellency, General WASHINGTON,
unanimously elected Master; Robert McCrea, Senior Warden; William
Hunter, Jr., Junior Warden; William Hodgson, Treasurer; Joseph
Green way, Secretary; Dr. Frederick Spambergen, Senior Deacon; George
Richards, Junior Deacon. Extract from Minutes, p. 288.

68 Vide " Freemasonry in Pennsylvania, 1727-1907," Vol. I, Chapter
X, pp. 295 et seq.

127

fiDasonic Correspondence of WasbittQlon

Lodge), at Morristown, N. J., December 27, 1779 ;69
at American Union Lodge at Nelson's point on the
Hudson June 24, 1782 ;70 at King Solomon's Lodge
of Poughkeepsie, December 27, 1782, and occasion
ally at Alexandria Lodge, No. 39, in 1783-1784,
and the Virginia Lodge, No. 22, between the years
1788 and 1797.71

WASHINGTON in the next paragraph of his letter
to Snyder makes his meaning absolutely clear,
that while he had not attended any Lodge regularly
during the past thirty years he plainly states: "I
believe notwithstanding, that none of the Lodges in
this Country are contaminated with the principles
ascribed to the society of the Illuminati."

This belief is further accentuated by the letter to
the Grand Lodge of Maryland a few weeks after the
above letter was written to Snyder.

In addition to above records, there are numerous
traditions of WASHINGTON'S occasional visits to
Masonic Lodges and functions:72 all of which fall
within the thirty years mentioned in the Snyder
Letter.723

Further, WASHINGTON'S great interest in Free-

., Vol. I, Chapter XII, pp. 399 et seq.

Vide "Washington and his Masonic Compeers," Chapter VIII, pp.
149 et seq.

"to Ibid., pp. 86-87. Also records of King Solomon's Lodge, No. 1,
Poughkeepsie, New York.

7i Ibid., pp. 150 et seq.

" Ibid., pp. 139 et seq.

72a WASHINGTON, so far as known, attended the following public
Masonic functions:

128

Witbin tbe last tbirt?

masonry is shown by the many addresses received
from different Grand and Subordinate Lodges
throughout the Union, all of which he acknowledged
in fraternal terms, also by the various Masonic con
stitutions and sermons dedicated to him, which he
received with thanks and were preserved in his
library.

It will be noted that in the fifth line from the
bottom, f( Within the last thirty years'' which in all
Anti-Masonic publications is printed in italics, the
word "thirty" was not in the body of the letter as
originally written, but was an afterthought and
interlined before the press copy was taken.

In the press copy of this letter, it will be noted
that the word written over the words "last years"
is almost indecipherable; in the photostat it is com
pletely so. This has led some investigators to ques
tion whether the interlined word is really "thirty"

The surmise that the blur in the press copy of

1. Procession in Philadelphia, Festival of St. John the Evangelist,
December 28, 1778.

2. Festival of St. John the Baptist, June 24, 1779, with the American
Union Lodge, at the Robinson House on the Hudson, New York.

3. Festival of St. John the Evangelist, December 27, 1779, with
American Union Lodge, at the Morris Hotel, Morristown, New Jersey.

4. Festival of St. John the Evangelist, December 27, 1782, with King
Solomon's Lodge, at Poughkeepsie, New York.

5. Festival of St. John the Baptist, June 24, 1784, with Lodge No. 39,
at Alexandria, Virginia.

6. The Masonic funeral of Brother William Ramsay, February 12,
1785, at Alexandria.

7. Laying of the cornerstone of the capitol at the Federal City
(Washington, D. C.), September 18, 1793, upon which occasion WASH-

, INGTON walked in the procession.

10 129

masonic Correspondence of Washington

WASHINGTON'S letter to Snyder, was "thirty" was
first promulgated by Jared Sparks, when he fur
nished the text of the letter to the Anti-Masonic
agitators, during the political excitement which
swept over the New England States in the second
decade of the nineteenth century.

Snyder, upon receipt of this letter, undoubtedly
after consultation with persons who were polit
ically opposed to WASHINGTON or antagonistic to
the Masonic Fraternity, wrote a second letter and
sent it to Mount Vernon under date of October 17,
1798; no copy of this letter has thus far been found
among the WASHINGTON papers in the Library of
Congress.

WASHINGTON immediately sent the following
sharp reply to Snyder, in which he plainly sets forth
his belief that the Masonic Lodges in the United
States were not interested in the propagation of the
tenets of what was then known as Jacobism or the
Illumaniti. The words as underscored in the orig
inal letter by WASHINGTON were to emphasize his
meaning upon this subject.

Photostats of both of the above letter press copies
are in the Archives of the Grand Lodge of Penn
sylvania.

"MOUNT VERNON 24th Oct. 1798.

"Rev. Sir,

" I have you favor of the

tive

"17th instant before me and my only mo:

130

TRepI? to Sn$5er

" to trouble you with the receipt of this let
"ter, is to explain, and correct a mistake
" which I perceive the hurry in which I
"am obliged, often to write letters, have
"led you into. —

" It was not my intention to doubt
"that, the doctrines of the Illuminati, and
"principles of Jacobism had not spread
"in the United States. On the contrary, no
" one is more, fully satisfied of this fact
"that I am.

" The idea I meant to convey, was,
"that I did not believe that the Lodges
" of Free Masons in this Country had, as
"Societies, endeavoured to propagate the
" diabolical tenets of the first, or the per-
"nicious principles of the latter, (if they
"are susceptible of separation) That
" individuals of them may have done it, or
"that the founder, or instrument employ
" ed to found the Democratic Societies
"in the United States, may have had these
"objects, and actually had a separation
"of the people from their Government
" in view, is too evident to be questioned.

"My occupations are such, that
" but little leisure is allowed me to read News
" Papers, or Books of any kind. The reading

131

flDasonic Correspondence of Washington

" of letters and preparing answers, absorb
"much of my time. —

"With respect, — I remain,

"Revd Sir,

"Your Most Obed' Hble Serv1

"The Revd.

"Mr Snyder."
Endorsed

" The Reva Mr Snyder,
"24th Oct. 1798."

It is a historical fact that Washington had always
retained the highest respect for the people of Mary
land, and especially the citizens of Frederick County.
No man ever stood higher in the estimation of the
people of Maryland than Washington, and his death
awakened genuine sorrow. On February 22d, 1800,
memorial services were observed in the Reformed
Church at Fredericktown.72b It was a solemn day and
the whole County was in mourning; at which time
Ex- Governor Thomas Johnson pronounced the fun
eral oration. Snyder took no part in these services.

The two letters to Snyder were chiefly relied upon
by the Anti-Masons to support their political claims.

72bCf. Historical sketch before quoted, p. 24.

132

Hnti^flDasonfc Slan&ers

" That Washington was never in a Lodge but
twice, in his life; that he paid no attention to Ma
sonry during the war; that in 1781 he declined being
addressed by Masons as a brother Mason, and in
1798 was very particular to insist upon the fact that
he had not been in a Lodge, but once or twice in 30
years, and knew nothing of their principles and
practices."73

How false these statements so frequently made,
is shown by the many proofs here presented in fac
simile of the originals, which also absolutely contro
vert the statement in Governor Ritner's Vindication?
viz: —

" That all the letters said to be written by Wash
ington to Lodges are spurious. This is rendered
nearly certain: First, by the non-production of the
originals: Second, by the absence of copies among
the records of his letters: Third, by their want of
dates: Fourth, by the fact that his intimate friend
and biographer, Chief Justice Marshall,73* (himself a
Mason in his youth,) says that he never heard Wash
ington utter a syllable on the subject, a matter
nearly impossible, if Washington had for years
been engaged in writing laudatory letters to the
Grand Lodges of South Carolina, Pennsylvania,
and Massachusetts."74

The movement to elect General WASHINGTON a

73 Anti-Masonic Republican Convention before quoted, p. 26.
73a Grand Master of Virginia, 1793-1795.

74 Vindication of General Washington before quoted, p. 15.

133

flDasontc Correspon&ence of Washington

Grand Master over all the Brethren in the United
States originated at a meeting of American Union
Lodge, held at the encampment of the American
Army at Morristown, New Jersey, December 15,
1779. This Lodge was a Regimental Lodge of the
Connecticut Line, originally warranted by the Pro
vincial Grand Master of Massachusetts.

This movement continued to find favor amongst
the craft, especially in Pennsylvania, and culminated
in a motion to that effect at a General Grand Com
munication of the Grand Lodge, December 20, 1779.

This resulted in a Grand Lodge of Emergency
being convened January 13, 1780, when the follow
ing action was taken:75

" This Lodge being called by Order of the Grand
Master, upon the request of Sundry Brethren, and
also in pursuance of a Motion made at the last Gen
eral Communication, to consider the Propriety as
well as the necessity of appointing a Grand Master
over all the Grand Lodges formed or to be formed
in these United States, as the Correspondence which
the Rules of Masonry require cannot now be carried
on with the Grand Lodge of London, under whose
Jurisdiction the Grand Lodges in these States were
originally constituted; The Ballot was put upon the
Question: Whether it be for the Benefit of Masonry
that 'a Grand Master of Masons thro'out the

75 Cf . " Reprint of Minutes of Grand Lodge," Vol. I, p. 19.

134

Elected <5ran& flDaster <5eneral

United States' shall be now nominated on the part
of this Grand Lodge; and it was unanimously de
termined in the affirmative.

" Sundry respectable Brethren being then put in
nomination, it was moved that the Ballot be put for
them separately, and His Excellency George Wash
ington, Esquire, General and Commander-in-chief
of the Armies of the United States being first in
nomination, he was ballotted for accordingly as
Grand Master, and Elected by the unanimous vote
of the whole Lodge.

"Ordered, That the minutes of this Election and
appointment be transmitted to the different Grand
Lodges in the United States, and their Concurrence
therein be requested, in Order that application be
made to his Excellency in due form, praying that
he will do the Brethren and Craft the honor of ac
cepting their appointment. A Committee was ap
pointed to expedite the Business."

The movement was further advanced at a Con
vention of representatives of the Army Lodges, held
at Morristown, N. J., on February 7, 1780, when,
fortified by the pronounced action of the Grand
Lodge of Pennsylvania, a committee was chosen of
which Brother Mordecai Gist of Maryland was
chairman and Brother Otho Williams of Delaware,
secretary.76

™ « Freemasonry in Pennsylvania, 1727—1781," Vol. I, p. 39.

135

flDasontc Correspondence of WasbinQton

!
*

M,vi*$*v85

Wil^Si

136

fiDassacbusette TRefu0e0 Consent

This Committee issued the celebrated address:
"To the RIGHT WORSHIPFUL, The Grand

Masters of the several Lodges in the Respective

United States of America.

" UNION -FORCE LOVE."

This address was signed by representatives of no
less than seven states, viz.: Maryland, Connecticut,
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts Bay, New
York and Delaware; in addition to those of the
American Union Lodge, Artillery, St. John's Regi
mental Lodge and the Staff of the American Army.

It was further ordered that the foregoing address
with an exact copy of these proceedings signed by
the President and Secretary, be sent to the respective
Provincial Grand Masters in the United States.77

It was not until the middle of October that a reply
was received from the Grand Lodge of Massachu
setts to the circular letter sent out by the Grand
Lodge of Pennsylvania, and then only in response
to a letter written by our Grand Secretary, Rev.
Brother Dr. William Smith.

This matter led to more or less correspondence be
tween the Grand Lodges of Pennsylvania and
Massachusetts and was in abeyance, until January,
1781, when the following letter was received from
Joseph Webb, Grand Master of Massachusetts.78

77 Address in full, ibid., pp. 399-402.

78 All of the original correspondence is in the Archives of the Grand
Lodge of Pennsylvania, Mss., Vol. A.

137

nDasonic Correspondence of Washington

"BOSTON, Jany 17, 1781.
"Retf Sir and
fe Respected Brother

"Last Friday Evening the Grand Lodge met,
agreeable to adjournment and after a long debate
on the subject, whether it was expedient at present
to elect a Grand Master General for the United
States, it passed in the negative.

"Inclosed I transmit you the vote from the G.
Sec'y-

Yr Affect6 Brother
"& Hble Serv1

"Rev Dr Smith "Jos: WEBB.

"Philadelphia."

The belief that WASHINGTON was the Grand
Master of the United States was widespread, and,
as our late Bro. James M. Lamberton said in his ad
dress before mentioned,79 notwithstanding the fact
that the project to elevate General WASHINGTON fell
through, "that the action of the Army Lodges and
of our Grand Lodge got abroad, is shown by trans
lations of two letters from a Lodge at Cape Fran
cois,80 on the island of San Domingo, directed to
General WASHINGTON as Grand Master of all
America, soliciting a charter, which were presented
to our Grand Lodge, February 3, 1786. The same

79 « Washington Sesqui-Centennial Celebration, Nov. 5, 1902, Me
morial Volume," pp. 135-6.

so Cf. " Old Masonic Lodges of Pennsylvania," Vol. II, Chapter LIII,
pp. 242-250.

138

Hmor— ibonor— fit 3u$tfca

thing is shown by a medal struck in 1797, the obverse
showing the bust of WASHINGTON, with the legend,
"G. Washington President. 1797," the reverse
showing many Masonic emblems,81 with the legend
"Amor. Honor. Et Justica G.W.G.G.M." (L e.,
George Washington, General Grand Master) .

The writer of the letters to WASHINGTON, Snyder,
quoted at the beginning of this chapter, being of
foreign birth, and not a member of the Masonic Fra
ternity, nor even living where a Masonic Lodge ex
isted, evidently labored under the same delusion as
the Brethren at Cape Francois.

The Masonic Correspondence of WASHINGTON as
represented upon these pages, should settle for all
time to come the question, as to the esteem in which
WASHINGTON held the Masonic Fraternity, of which
he was an honored Member.

It is stated that there are still a large number of
Washington papers in the Library of Congress, that
are not accessible, as they have thus far not been
classified or indexed. Thus it is in the possibilities
that there may be still further documentary evidence
found of Masonic import, in addition to such as are
set forth upon these pages.

si Specimen in Museum of Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.

139

J7ie Arms ofy moft Ancient & Jfortorable fraternity
of Free and/Aeoeptecl Mafons.

INDEX.

Aberts Tavern, 101

Adam, Rev. John, 30

Adam, Robert, 29, 30

Adcock, William, 77

Alexander, Alexander, 58

Alexandria Lodge, No. 22, Ad
dress and Reply, 18; Letter and
Address to Washington, 96;
Washington's Reply, 97

Alexandria Lodge, No. 39, 17;
Correspondence with, 28; Ad
dress to Washington, 29; Meets
at Lamb Tavern, 33; Invites
Washington to dine with them,
34

Allison, John, 29, 33

Anti-Masonic Craze, mention of,
8; Attack Washington's memory,
10; Certify to Records, 16

Armstrong, Thomas, 90

Bartlett, Josiah, 83, 102

Baker, George A., 90

Ball, William, 93

Belton, William, 111, 113

Blair, Judge, 42

Blyth, Joseph, 53

Bowen, Thomas B., 58

Bradley, Thomas, 90

Burk, Miss Fanny M., Copies',

Portrait for Grand Lodge of

Pennsylvania, 36

Carson, J., 53
Chapman, Samuel, 48, 49
Clark, Peleg, 15
Clinton, Governor, 42
Cohen, Abraham, 53
Corney, James, 48
Craik, George W., 2, 93
Craik, Dr. James, 93
Cutler, John, 83
Cusack, Richard E., 90

Dandridge, Bartholomew, 3, 75,
81

Drayton, William, 58

Duplessis, Peter le Barbier, 70;
Autograph, 72, 79, 80

Dick, Elisah C., 29, 32; Conducts
Masonic Services at Washing
ton's Funeral, 33

Dick, Archibald, 32

Edwards, Thomas, 102
Elliot, Robert, 15
Foster, Theo., 42

Franklin, Benjamin, mention of,

27
Freemasonry in Pennsylvania

(Barratt and Sachse), Referred

to, 16

Free Quaker Meeting House, 69
Few, Joseph, 70; mention of, 78
Fredericktown, Maryland, 117

141

fiDaeonic Correspon&ence of Washington

Gates, Thomas, 58

Georgia Grand Lodge, Address

and Reply, 7, 17; Fraudulent

letter to, 94
Gist, Mordecai, 57, 58, 59; Sketch

of, 64, 134
Gorman, Mr., of New Hampshire,

Gillies, James, 95, 96, 97
Grant, Reuben, 53
Greene, Mrs. Nathaniel, 66
Griffith, Cadawalder, 90
Guion, Isaac, 48 49

Hayes, Moses Michael, mention of,

Handy, John, 15
Hailing, Solomon, 48, 49
Hamilton, Gavin, 70, 90
Harris, Thaddeus M., 102
Hildreth, Ara, 38
Houston, George, 66
Hunt, Galliard, mention of, 6

Irwin, David, 90
Israel, Israel, 90
Illuminati, 117

Jackson, Major William, 2; Copies

Address and Answer, 40
Jefferson, Thomas, 36, 42
Johnson, William, 48, 49

King David's Lodge, No. 1, New
port, R. I., Proposed Masonic
Address to General Washington,
14; Extracts from Records, 15,
17; Correspondence with, 37;
Sends Address to Washington,
38; Fac-simile of Washington's
Reply, 41

Knox, Robert, 58

Lamb Tavern, Alexandria meeting
place of Lodge, No. 39, 33

Lear, Tobias, 2, 75, 101

Letter Books in Library of Con
gress, 6

Littlefield, William, 37

Lowthorp, F., 48

Lodge No. 27, on Pennsylvania
Roster, 57, 59

Massachusetts Grand Lodge, Draft
of Letter to, 7; Letter to, 8;
Objects to Washington as Grand
Master General, 16; Address and
Reply, 18; Address to Washing
ton, 83; Reply, 85; Letter to
Paul Revere, 104; Reply to
Grand Lodge, 106; Refuses to
nominate Washington as Grand
Master General, 136

Maryland Grand Lodge, Draft of
Letter to 7, 18; Address to
Washington, 112; Washington
Reply, 113; Original Draft of
Reply, ib

Masonic Aprons, 20

Masonic Portrait of Washington
in Alexandria Lodge, 36

Mazyck, William C., 60

Mason, Benjamin, 70

Machey, Mungo, 83

Marsteller, Phillip G., 95, 96

Marshall, John, Chief Justice, 132

McElwee, John, 90

Meyers, Israel, 58

Miller, George, 58

Mitchell, John, 58

Newburgh, Washington in Camp

at, 21

Nelson, William, 90
Nilson, Andrew, 90

Oliver, Daniel, 104
Oswald, Eleaser, 90

Lamberton, J. M., Address Wash
ington as a Freemason, 11;
quoted, 117

Laughton, Joseph, 104 Pasteur, Edward, 48

142

Pennsylvania Grand Lodge, Draft Smith, William Moore, Autograph,

of Letter to, 7; Address and
Reply, 18; Resolutions, 69; Ad
dress to Washington, 71; Wash
ington's Reply, 73; Address to
Washington, 1796, 88; Address,
1797, 103; Nominated Washing
ton as Grand Master General,
133

Prince George's Lodge, No. 16,
Georgetown, S. C., Address and
Reply, 8, 17; Correspondence
with, 51; Sketch of, ib.; Ad
dress to Washington, 52; Fac
simile, 54, 55; Washington's
Reply, 56

Providence, R. I., Washington
Arrives at, 42

Procter, Thomas, 70; Sketch of,
78, 90

Putnam, Herbert, mention of, 4

Ramsay, William, 29, 33

Ramsay, Dennis, 95, 96

Revere, Paul, 2; Letter from
Washington, 8; Letter to, 18,
102, 104

Rehm, Dr. J. F., 50

Ritner, Governor, Vindication, 132

Robison, John, " Proofs of Con
spiracy," 118

Rush, Dr. Benjamin, 32

Seixas, Moses, 15, 37; Sketch of,
39

Shippen, Dr. William, 32

Sherburne, Henry, 37

Smith, Mr. of South Carolina, 42

Smith, Rev. William, D.D., Ser
mon by, 12; Masonic Sermons
by, 13; Addresses the Brethren,
70; Drafts Address, 71, 73;
Masonic Record, 76, 90; Writes
to Grand Lodge, Massachusetts,
135

Smith, Jonathan Bayard, 70; Auto
graph, 72, 73; Sketch of, 76

89, 90; Sketch of, 93

Snyder (Schneider), G. W., 3;
Letter to Washington, 18, 113;
Fac-simile of Letter, 119, 121;
Sketch of, 123

South Carolina Grand Lodge,
Draft of Letter to, 7, 17; Cor
respondence with, 57; Address
to Washington, 59; Washing
ton's Reply, 59; Original Draft
of Reply, 61; Fac-simile, 62, 63

Sparks, Jared, 9; Letter from, 10,
129

St. John's Lodge, No. 2, Newbern,
N. C., Address and Reply, 8,
17; Correspondence with, 44;
Resolution, 44; Address to
Washington, 45; Fac-Simile, 46,
47

Town, Thomas, 90
Thomas, Isaiah, 104

WASHINGTON, GEORGE, Master of
Lodge while President, 2;
Masonic Bodies named after, 3;
Full length Portrait in London,
4; Copies of all Masonic Letters,
5; Letter to Paul Revere, 7;
Memory attacked by Anti-
Masons, 10; At Newport, R. I.,
1781, 14; At Providence, R. I.,
ib; Report on, 15; As Grand
Master, 16; Replies to Snyder,
18; Receives Masonic Orna
ments from Watson & Cassoul,
20; Masonic Apron from Lafa
yette, 20; Reply to Watson &
Cassoul, 21; In camp at New-
burg, 21; Resigns his commis
sion at Annapolis, 28; Returns
to Mount Vernon, ib; Address
from Lodge No. 39, 29; Reply
to Lodge No. 39, 30; Fac-simile,
31; Invites Washington to dine

143

with the Lodge, 34; Acceptance,
35; Accepts Honorary Member
ship, ib; Portrait of in Alex
andria Lodge, 36; Address from
King David's Lodge, 38 ; Arrives
at Newport, R. I., 42; Provi
dence, ib; Reply to King David's
Lodge, ib; Starts on Southern
Tour, 44; Reply to St. John's
Lodge, 49; Arrives at George
town, S. C., 51; Washington's
Reply to Prince George's Lodge,
56; Arrives at Charleston, S. C.,
57; Receives Address from
Grand Lodge of South Caro
lina, 58 ; Washington's Reply, 59 ;
Calls on Mrs. Nathaniel Greene,
65; Receives Address from
Grand Lodge, Georgia, 66;
Leaves Savannah, 68; Replies to
Grand Lodge of Georgia, ib;
Residence in Philadelphia, 69;
Received Address from Grand
Lodge, Pennsylvania, 71; Reply
73; Master's Jewel, 79; Address
from Grand Lodge, Massa
chusetts, 81; Washington's Re
ply, 84; Farewell Address, 86;
At Philadelphia, 87; Address
from Grand Lodge, Pennsyl
vania, 88; Washington Receives
Deputation, 90; Reply, 91;
Letters counterfeited, 94; Ar
rives at Mount Vernon, 95;
Letter & Address from Alex
andria Lodge, No. 22, 96 ; Reply,
97; Dines with Lodge No. 22,
101 ; Letter to Paul Revere, 104 ;
Draft of Reply to Grand
Lodge of Massachusetts, 106;
Lieutenant General, 111; At

Baltimore, ib; Draft of Reply
to Grand Lodge of Maryland,
113; Reply, 115; Sesqui-Centen-
nial Anniversary, 117; Letter
and Book from G. W. Snyder,
118; Reply to Snyder's Letter
of September 15, 1798, 123; Ex
planation of, 125; Member of
Alexandria Lodge, 126; Lays
Corner-Stone of Capitol, 127;
Masonic Record of, ib.; Tradi
tions of, 128; Second Letter
from Snyder, 129; Washington's
Reply, 130; Refutation of the
Anti-Masonic Slanders, 131 ;
Grand Master General, 132; Ad
dress by Army Lodges, 134;
Massachusetts refuses to concur,
136; Universal belief that Wash
ington was Grand Master Gen
eral, 137; Medal struck as such,
139.

Washington, Lodges in United
States, 3

Watson and Cassoul, Draft and
Letter to, 7, 17; Send Masonic
Apron to Washington, 19; Reply
to, 22; Fac-simile of original
Draft to, 24, 25; mention of, 27

Watson, Elkanah, 19; Letter to
Washington, 20, 27

Warren, John, 102

Webb, Joseph, 135

Williams, J. Henry, Authorization,
iii; mention of, 4

White, Rev. William, Prayer by,
12

Wise's Tavern, Alexandria, 35

Williams, William, Paints Wash
ington's Masonic Portrait, 36

White, Isaac, 53

Williams, Otho, 134

144

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