Washington's Masonic Correspondence Part 8

=FAC-SIMILE OF DRAFT OF WASHINGTON'S REPLY TO ADDRESS FROM GRAND LODGE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, MAY, 1791.

HANDWRITING OF MAYOR WILLIAM JACKSON.=

Upon the first page the four lines commencing with "Your felicitations"

and ending with "federal government" were crossed out, and as above stated, were not in the reply sent to R. W. Grand Master Gist and his officers.

In the third line from the bottom the word "regard" is subst.i.tuted for "respect."

Brother Gist was the original Warrant Master of the Regimental Lodge in the Maryland line, No. 27, on the Roster of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. After the war, Brother Gist settled in Charleston, South Carolina, retaining his old Military Warrant, and, in 1786, applied to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, to renew this warrant, for a Lodge to be located at Charleston under the same number. This request was granted, and Brother Gist was again named as Warrant Master.

At the formation of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina Ancient York Masons in 1787, Brother Gist was elected Deputy Grand Master and served as such during the years 1787-88-89, and as Grand Master, 1790-1791.

Footnotes:

[40] Washington's Diary.

[41] Cf. "Old Masonic Lodges in Pennsylvania," Philadelphia, 1913, Vol.

2, p. 53 _et seq._

[42] Brother William Drayton, Past Grand Master; Brother Mordecai Gist, Grand Master; Brother Thomas B. Bowen, Deputy Grand Master; Brother George Miller, Senior Grand Warden; Brother John Mitch.e.l.l, Junior Grand Warden; Brother Thomas Gates, Grand Chaplain; Brother Robert Knox, Grand Treasurer; Brother Alexandrer Alexander, Grand Secretary; Brother Israel Meyers, Grand Tiler.

[43] _City Gazette_, Friday, May 6, 1791, p. 2, column 4.

[44] For full account of Lodge 27 and Brother Gist, _vide_ "Old Masonic Lodges of Pennsylvania," before quoted, Vol. II, pp. 53-63.

[45] Cf. Hayden, "Washington and his Masonic Compeers," p. 135.

[46] William C. Mazyck, Right Worshipful Grand Secretary, G. L. of South Carolina.

VIII

CORRESPONDENCE WITH GRAND LODGE OF GEORGIA, MAY, 1791.

On the way from Charleston, South Carolina, to Savannah, Georgia, WASHINGTON called on Mrs. Greene, the widow of late Brother General Nathaniel Greene, at her plantation called Mulberry Grove, reaching Savannah, Georgia, on the evening of Thursday, May 12, 1791.

Sat.u.r.day, May 14, WASHINGTON was waited on by Brethren of the Grand Lodge of Georgia and presented with the following address:[47]

"TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

"_Sir, and Brother_,

"The Grand Master, Officers and Members of the "Grand Lodge of Georgia, beg leave to congratulate "you on your arrival in this city. Whilst your ex- "alted character claims the respect and deference of "all men, they from the benevolence of masonic prin- "ciples approach you with the familiar declaration "of fraternal affection.

"Happy indeed that Society, renowned for its "antiquity, and pervading influence over the en- "lightened world, which having ranked a Frederick "at its head, can now boast of a Washington as a "Brother. A Brother who it justly hailed the Re- "deemer of his country, raised it to glory, and by his "conduct in public and private life has evinced to "Monarchs that true majesty consists not in splendid "royalty, but in intrinsic worth.

"With these sentiments they rejoice at your pres- "ence in this State, and in common with their fellow- "citizens, greet you, thrice welcome, flattering them- "selves that your stay will be made agreeable.

"May the great Architect of the Universe pre- "serve you whilst engaged in the work allotted you "on earth, and long continue you the brightest pil- "lar of our Temple, and when the supreme fiat shall "summon you hence, they pray the might I AM "may take you into his holy keeping,

"Grand Lodge in Savannah "May 14th 5791.

"GEO: HOUSTON, "_Grand Master_."

=BRO. WASHINGTON'S REPLY TO ADDRESS FROM THE GRAND LODGE OF GEORGIA, MAY, 1791. LETTER BOOK II, FOLIO 78.=

Upon the next day, Sunday, May 15, after attending the morning church service, WASHINGTON left Savannah and set out for Augusta, Georgia, halting for dinner at Mulberry Grove, the seat of Mrs. Nathaniel Greene.

The following reply to the Masonic address was sent to the Grand Lodge of Georgia,[48] both address and reply now first published:

"TO THE GRAND MASTER, OFFICERS AND MEMBERS "OF THE GRAND LODGE OF GEORGIA.

"_Gentlemen_,

"I am much obliged by your congratulations "on my arrival in this city, and I am highly indebted "to your favorable opinions.

"Every circ.u.mstance contributes to "render my stay in Savannah agreeable, and it "is cause of regret to me that it must be so "short.

"My best wishes are offered for the welfare "of the fraternity, and for your particular happiness.

"Go. Washington"

=PRESIDENT WASHINGTON'S RESIDENCE IN PHILADELPHIA, A. D. 1790 A. D. 1797.

WHERE THE MASONIC ADDRESSES OF THE GRAND LODGE OF PENNSYLVANIA WERE DELIVERED.

FROM A CONTEMPORARY WATER COLOR PAINTING BELONGING TO THE LIBRARY COMPANY OF PHILADELPHIA.

THE FIGURES ARE THOSE OF WASHINGTON AND ROBERT MORRIS.=

Footnotes:

[47] Washington Letter Book, II, folio 77. Photostat in Archives of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.

[48] Address and Reply, Letter Book II, folio 77-78.