Washington's Masonic Correspondence Part 5

[24] "Washington and his Masonic Compeers," by Sidney Hayden, New York, 1866, p. 104.

[25] John Wise's tavern, in which the above Masonic Banquet was held, is a large three-story brick building still standing on high ground at the northeast corner of Cameron and Fairfax Streets, Alexandria. At that time it had an un.o.bstructed view of the Potomac.

[26] _Vide_ "Abstract of Proceedings of the Proceedings Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, During the Year 1910," pp. 110-117.

IV

CORRESPONDENCE WITH KING DAVID'S LODGE, NO. 1, RHODE ISLAND, AUGUST, 1790.

The next correspondence in chronological order is the letter, sent in reply to the Address delivered by the Brethren of King David's Lodge, No. 1, at Newport, Rhode Island, to President WASHINGTON, August 17, 1790, during his visit to New England.

By referring to the Minutes of this old Lodge following entry is found:

"At a Lodge, called by request of several Breth- "ren on Tuesday evening, August 17, 5790, an "Entered Apprentice Lodge being opened in due "form proceeded to business, when it was proposed "to address the President of the United States.

"The R. W. Master (Moses Seixas) Henry Sher- "burne, and the Secretary, [William Littlefield]

"were appointed a committee for that purpose, "after which the Lodge closed."[27]

Following address was prepared and according to local tradition was publicly presented, by the Committee to President WASHINGTON, in the Venerable Sanctuary of the Jewish Congregation at Newport; the Brethren of King David's Lodge being present:

"TO GEORGE WASHINGTON, _President of the United States of America._

"We the Master, Wardens, and Brethren of "King David's Lodge in New Port Rhode Island "with joyful hearts embrace this opportunity to "greet you as a Brother, and to hail you welcome "to Rhode Island. We exult in the thought that "as Masonry has always been patronised by the "wise, the good, and the great, so that 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 numerous 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 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, ill.u.s.trious Brother, "cordially to salute you with three times three "and to add our fervent supplications that the "sovereign architect of the universe may always "encompa.s.s you with his holy protection.

"MOSES SEIXAS[28] _Master_ "New Port Augt 17, 1790. _Committee_.

"HY SHERBURNE "By order "WM LITTLEFIELD, _Secy._"

Brother Moses Seixas was born in New York, March 28, 1744; died in New York City, November 29, 1809. He was a merchant in Newport, Rhode Island, and one of the founders of the Newport Bank of Rhode Island, of which he was cashier until his death. He succeeded Brother Moses M. Hays as Worshipful Master of King David's Lodge at Newport. He was also the first Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island. It was Moses Seixas who addressed a letter of welcome in the name of the Jewish congregation to GEORGE WASHINGTON when the latter visited Newport, and it was to him that WASHINGTON's answer was addressed.

The Town Hall at Newport being out of repair at that time the ancient Jewish Synagogue on the main street was used, upon that and several other public occasions. It is an interesting fact that this sacred edifice is still preserved in the same condition as it was during the Colonial period.

So far as known this address was the first of Masonic import made to WASHINGTON as President. Unfortunately, the exact date of presentation and receipt of his answer is not known to a certainty, as there does not appear to be any date upon either the original doc.u.ments or the copies in WASHINGTON's letter book.

The original address and WASHINGTON's reply to the Master, Wardens and Brethren of King David's Lodge in Newport, the latter signed in autograph by WASHINGTON, are in the Athenaeum collection at Boston, Ma.s.sachusetts.[29]

Following copy of the President's answer is taken from his letter book.[30] Both address and answer in the letter book are in the handwriting of Major William Jackson, secretary to the President.

A photostat of the original entry is in the Archives of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. It will be noted that there is neither place nor date given.

=FAC-SIMILE OF REPLY TO KING DAVID'S LODGE, NO. 1, NEWPORT, R. I. LETTER BOOK II, FOLIO 29.=

President WASHINGTON arrived at Newport, R.I., at eight o'clock on Tuesday morning, August 17, 1790. On the next day, Wednesday, the President and his suite left on the Packet "Hanc.o.c.k" at nine o'clock in the morning for Providence.

His company consisted of Governor Clinton of New York, Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State, Senator Theodore Foster, Judge Blair, Mr. Smith of South Carolina and Mr. Gorman of New Hampshire; members of Congress.[31]

WASHINGTON left Providence, Sat.u.r.day, August 21, and arrived in New York upon the following day, Sunday, August 22, 1790,[32] and sent the following reply to the Newport Brethren:

"TO THE MASTER, WARDENS, AND BRETHREN OF "KING DAVIDS LODGE IN NEWPORT RHODE ISLAND."

"_Gentlemen_,

"I receive the welcome which you "give me to Rhode Island with pleasure, and I "acknowledge my obligations for the flattering "expressions of regard, contained in your address, "with grateful sincerity.

"Being persuaded that a just "application of the principles, on which the Masonic "Fraternity is founded, must be promotive of "private virtue and public prosperity, I shall "always be happy to advance the interests of "the Society, and to be considered by them as "a deserving brother.

"My best wishes, Gentlemen, "are offered for your individual happiness."[33]

"Go. Washington"

=FAC-SIMILE OF NOTICE SENT TO BROTHER WASHINGTON AT MOUNT VERNON TO ATTEND HIS LODGE. TREASURED BY THE WIFE OF PRESIDENT MADISON UNTIL HER DEATH. ORIGINAL IN ARCHIVES OF GRAND LODGE OF PENNSYLVANIA. MSS. VOL. A, FOLIO 81.=

Footnotes:

[27] A copy of the Extracts from the Records of King David's Lodge, No.

1, as made by Ara Hildreth, Esq., is in the Archives of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, Mss. Volume Q, R.I. 7.

Cf. also a verified copy of the Minute in "Proceedings of the Anti-Masonic Republican Convention of Ma.s.sachusetts, Boston, 1832," p.

22.

[28] _Vide_ "The Jews and Masonry in the United States," by Samuel Oppenheim, New York, 1810, p. 22 _et seq._

[29] Cf. "Catalogue of the Washington Collection in the Boston Athenaeum," Boston, 1897, p. 331.

[30] Letterbook II, p. 29.

[31] Cf. "Washington after the Revolution," W. S. Baker, Philadelphia, 1898, p. 192.

[32] Cf. _Pennsylvania Packet_, August 30-31 1790.

[33] Copy of Address in Letter Book II, pp. 27-28, Photostat of same in Archives of Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.