mittee to consider the situation and the legality of the Grand Lodge. The following was the result of the investigation of this committee as agreed to by Masters' Lodge and, presumably, by Union, although the minutes of the latter body for the period have disappeared, and their position can only be inferred from collateral evidence which, however, seems decisive enough:

I. That the patent granted to the Grand Lodge is valid and operative.

2. That successors to the officers of the Grand Lodge may, by virtue thereof, be elected, but that whenever such elections are held all the Lodges in the State should be previously notified.

3. That this Lodge, to avoid dissension and promote the interests of Masonry, ought to consent to the election of the Hon'ble Robert R. Livingston, Esq., as Grand Master of the State.

4. That the Grand Lodge of this State is by the patent under which they derive their authority subordinate to the Grand Lodge in England; to avoid the inconveniencies arising from which your committee are further of opinion that a Grand Lodge ought to be instituted independent of England, to effect which they recommend a surrender of the present Grand patent, and that the Lodges in the State meet for the purpose of electing a Grand Master for the State, after such surrender has taken place.

This was not exactly the method followed, but the results were practically the same. On June 23, 1784, Masters' Lodge was represented in the Grand Lodge by its Senior Warden and its submission, as that of Union Lodge, seemed complete. However the question of precedence, so far as the country Lodges were concerned, was not determined, although the city Lodges had, with apparent satisfaction, adjusted the matter within their own circle, and that neglect seemingly gave rise to much. dissatisfaction in the old Dutch city with the old Scotch name. The adhesion of Masters' Lodge to the Grand body was but nominal. and it appeared, for the time, to take no further interest in its fate.

In the negotiations which followed to bring the Albany Lodges completely into the fold, it is impossible to help thinking that a little bit

of practical politics was played and that Masters' Lodge was used so as to insure the capture of Union. In 1792 the Grand Lodge records tell us "it was thought advisable to invite Masters' Lodge in the city of Albany to join this Grand Lodge," and the Secretary was instructed to write accordingly. This had no effect, apparently, and on March 5, 1793, the Grand Lodge passed a motion that "a committee be appointed to correspond with Masters' Lodge at Albany to try and convince said Lodge of the propriety and the general benefit that Masonry will probably receive in this State by its coming under the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge."

Of this committee, De Witt Clinton and James O. Hoffman met a committee from Masters' Lodge in Albany in the beginning of 1794, and on March 6, that year, a sort of treaty was drawn up between the representatives of the Grand Lodge and of Masters' Lodge, part of which was as follows:

It was proposed in behalf of the Grand Lodge by their committee that as the prosperity of the fraternity depended on the utmost union of its members, that as some general rules to regulate all the brethren within the State would conduce to the welfare and respectability of the institution, and that as Masters' Lodge resided within the limits of the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge, and had partially acceded to it by acknowledging the election of the Right Worshipful the Grand Master of the State;

That, therefore, the said Masters' Lodge should come under the jurisdiction of the said Grand Lodge and conform in all respects to the constitutions, laws and usages of Freemasonry as recognized by the

same.

That as in obedience to a resolution of the said Grand Lodge, all the Lodges within its jurisdiction had accepted of warrants from the same, the said Masters' Lodge shall also receive a new warrant, which, however, shall be so constructed as to give and continue to it all the rights of seniority and precedence to which it is entitled by virtue of a warrant derived from the Provincial Grand Lodge of the late Province of New York, dated the 5th day of March, 1768, and signed by George Harrison, Provincial Grand Master.

That upon Masters' Lodge complying with the premises it shall immediately become entitled to be represented by its presiding officers, or in their ab

sence, by proxy, in the conventions of said Grand Lodge, to participate in the election of officers of the same, in the distribution of its charity funds, in the superintendence of Lodges within its jurisdiction, and that all the rights, privileges, and immunities communicated by the Constitution of the said Grand Lodge to the Lodges under it shall immediately be vested in the said Masters' Lodge, subject nevertheless, in order to be binding and operative, to the approbation and ratification of the said Grand Lodge and Masters' Lodge respectively.

This treaty was signed by De Witt Clinton and James Ogden Hoffman on behalf of the Grand Lodge and by Stephen Van Rensselaer and Thomas Ellison as representing Masters'. The Grand Lodge agreed to the treaty; so, too, did Masters' Lodge. But the matter remained there. No new warrant was issued for Masters' Lodge. It paid no dues, and no further steps were taken in the matter until the resolution was passed which clothed Deputy Grand Master Morton with extraordinary powers, powers which he exercised so ably and satisfactorily at Poughkeepsie. At Albany, however, he was not so successful. Says his report:

That he met the brethren of Masters', of Union, and Temple Lodges in Albany; that he made known to the brethren of Masters' and Union Lodges the request of the Grand Lodge with respect to the surrender of the old warrants.

That the former appointed a committee with whom the Deputy Grand Master had a conference and they drew up a report which was shown to the Deputy Grand Master by the chairman, in which they recommended to their Lodge a compliance with the request of the Grand Lodge, but the Lodge not being able to effect a meeting previous to the departure of the Deputy Grand Master, nothing further was done.

That the brethren of Union Lodge, whom the Deputy Grand Master met in their Lodge room, appeared to be willing to accede to the request of the Grand Lodge. The only obstacle to its being completed was a question which arose as to the rank they were to hold, as they were possessed of two Provincial warrants, and which the Deputy Grand Master did not think it was proper for him alone to decide.

The Deputy Grand Master has brought with him a copy of the said warrants, and should recommend

its being referred to a committee to report upon at the next Grand Lodge.

With respect to the Lodge [Temple] which has lately been established at Albany, the Deputy Grand Master observed that he was persuaded the trust had been committed into the hands of brethren who would do honor to the fraternity, for the masters and officers of the Lodge appeared to be persons well instructed in the mysteries of the Fraternity, and zealous to advance its honor and its interests.

As a result of this report a committee was appointed to examine the warrants of Union Lodge, and on Dec. 6, 1797, that committee reported that the Lodge "ought to take rank from the date of its first Provincial warrant which is dated the 21st of February, 1765," and this report was adopted.

In spite of all this, however, Masters' Lodge did not regularly come into the fold-very probably the real reason being the question of dues and Union Lodge did not accept the olive branch, holding, apparently, that it ought to obtain recognition as having existed from the date of the regimental warrant under which it first became operative, in 1737. Doubtless some negotiation followed, as Albany, the seat of government, was visited each winter by many of the members of the Grand Lodge in their legislative capacity, but it was not until June 3, 1798, that De Witt Clinton, who, on that day, was elected Senior Grand Warden, was able to report progress. He then stated "that he had received the old warrant held by Masters' Lodge at Albany, delivered to them a new one and had installed the officers under it; but that he had not been able to induce the members of Union Lodge at Albany to surrender their old warrant or to come under or acknowledge the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge, and in consequence he recommends the adoption of some decisive measures by this Grand Lodge to assert and maintain its authority over said refractory Lodge." What these measures were, if any really were taken, we are not clearly shown, but at the Grand Lodge meeting of June 6, 1800, the Secretary announced that Union

Lodge had acknowledged the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge, promised to deliver up the old warrant and received a new one with rank from February 21, 1765. Thus the long standing trouble in Albany seemed to be settled, but it in reality only entered upon a new and more dangerous stage. As that stage, however, was developed after Chancellor Livingston's reign had passed, its history belongs to a future chapter in this work.

The difficulty witn Temple Lodge, possibly, was simply one result of carelessness, perhaps of poverty, in not being in touch with the Grand Lodge because its dues were unpaid. It could not have been very far in arrears as the warrant, signed by Livingston, was only issued Nov. 11, 1796, when it was designated "Temple Lodge, No. 53." It owed its origin apparently to the movement instituted by John Hanmer after his arrival in this country, in 1793, for a separate Lodge in which the Royal Arch might be worked as then worked in England. From the date of Hanmer's arrival in Albany he seemed to devote himself to this object, and his lectures on this subject gathered round him a body of enthusiastic workers, and it was through their interest that a charter for a new Lodge was sought in August, 1796. Two years later the Royal Arch Grand Chapter was instituted at Albany. Hanmer was the first Master of the Lodge, and his successor was no less a personage than Thomas Smith Webb, "the Master Builder," as he has been called of Masonry in America.

The petition of the brethren to the Grand Lodge, for the issuance of a warrant to Temple Lodge is an interesting document and deserving of reproduction here. It read as follows:

ORIGINAL APPLICATION FOR THE WARRANT OF TEMPLE LODGE.

To the Master, Wardens and Brethren of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York:

The petition of the subscribers, citizens of the city of Albany, respectfully showeth:

That they are Free and Accepted Masons, having the prosperity of the order at heart, and believing

that to diffuse the genuine principles of harmony would be to strengthen the social affections and promote the general happiness of mankind, are willing to exert their best endeavors to cherish and keep alive the sacred flame of friendship and brotherly love which eminently distinguishes the venerable institution.

That with this object in view they pray your most worshipful body to grant them a warrant to erect a new lodge in the city of Albany, empowering them regularly to assemble, make Masons, and transact such other business as the good of the craft may require.

That, contemplating your acquiescence in their wishes, they have resolved that the said Lodge be known by the name of Temple Lodge, No. —, and request that John Hanmer may be installed Master, Thomas S. Webb Senior Warden, and Gideon Fairman Junior Warden of the same.

Your petitioners further beg leave to observe that they are firmly persuaded that a new Lodge in this city would be of real utility to the craft:

That, if the prayer of your petitioners be granted, they pledge themselves faithfully to preserve the honor and dignity of their professions as men and Masons; to pay the general Lodge dues in regular and constitutional manner, and to act in full conformity to the regulations of your most respectable body.

And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever

pray.

JOHN HANMER,
THOMAS S. WEBB,
GIDEON FAIRMAN,

DAVID HORNER,
WILLIAM FOWLER,

DANIEL BUNELL,

EZRA AMES,

SOLOMON SOUTHWICK,

THOMAS POWELL,

LEVI PITKIN,

JOHN MACAULAY.

To the petition is added the following recommendation from Masters' Lodge, No. 2, F. and A. M., of Albany, N. Y.:

Masters' Lodge, No. 2, opened in form, Albany, Aug. 22, 1796. This Lodge, always disposed to promote the good of the craft, conceiving that the erection of the Lodge prayed for in the within petition would conduce to that end, agree that the officers of this Lodge, in the name of the said Lodge, do certify their wishes that the prayer of the petitioners may be granted by the Grand Lodge.

JACOB TEN EYCK, Secty. P. T.

Extract from the minutes. Leonard Gansevoort, Master; James Caldwell, Senior Warden; Dudley Walsh, Junior Warden.

It is seldom such a brilliant array of names, Masonically speaking, is found attached to a single document. Hanmer, Webb, Fairman, Ames, Southwick and Macaulay are all especially prominent in one way or another in the development of Freemasonry in the Empire State.

With Masters' and Union Lodges in line the solidification of the Grand body was practically complete, and its authority supreme in its own jurisdiction. Henceforth, for a time, at least, its main concern was over the collection of dues, a matter in which city as well as country Lodges needed frequent prodding. Many were the expedients, excuses and strokes of diplomacy exercised in connection with this. necessary detail, and although now and again a compromise was effected the Grand Lodge

generally managed to secure its own. One of the wisest measures which it adopted was that of Sept. 6, 1797, when it declined to consider applications for warrants from several new Lodges because the Lodges recommending them as worthy were themselves, Masonically, unworthy, through being in arrears with their dues. The motion read:

That the petitioning brethren to whom warrants have been refused this evening be informed by the Grand Secretary that the cause of the said refusal is owing to the Lodges who have recommended them, or from whom they have seceded, not having made their returns or paid their dues regularly to the Grand Lodge, being determined not to attend to any recommendations from Lodges so circumstanced.

In a time of Masonic activity such as was that of the Livingston era, this was a master stroke and sufficiently indicates the thoughtful attention which was then being given to all sections of Grand Lodge business.

W

HILE some of the native English speaking Lodges continued to stand aloof from the dictates of the grand body, it could hardly be expected that men speaking a foreign tongue and imbued with Continental ideas and prejudices would tamely submit, and we consider that the generalship, or diplomacy, or statesmanship, which animated the Grand Lodge at this period was in no instance more clearly demonstrated than in connection with the troubles attendant upon the introduction of Lodges speaking the French language and the difficulties involved thereby. On Sept. 4, 1793, Reinier Jan Vandenbroeck (afterward, in 1800, Grand Secretary) presented in Grand Lodge a petition from several brethren who had come to New York from San Domingo, asking for a dispensation to form a Lodge. After due consideration the dispensation was granted Dec. 12, 1793. The brethren did not apparently dwell together in harmony, and some irregularities in their methods were discovered, but although several members desired to surrender the dispensation altogether and get a new document calling an entirely new Lodge into existence, the troubles appear to have been adjusted and the Lodge continued until some time prior to March 4, 1795, when Senior Grand Warden Morton states that several of the members had applied, undoubtedly, for Grand Lodge certificates. The requests were referred to the Grand officers with power to grant them or not as they pleased.

Probably the certificates were not issued, and at the Grand Lodge meeting on May 19, 1795, Brother Maydieu, who had been Master of La Tendre Amitié Franco-Americaine, and several other members applied for a dispensation to form a new Lodge under the name of L'Unité Americaine, and the dispensation was issued, to continue in force for six months. It was afterward put into possession of the money and papers of the Lodge La Tendre Amitié.

The new Lodge appears to have got on quietly, seemingly prosperously, until in the early part of 1797 it expelled its Master, Bro. Bidet Renmoulieau, a proceeding which, no matter what might be the brother's failings, was entirely unjustified by Masonic law. The matter was brought to the attention of the Grand Lodge on June 7, that year, by a communication from the Lodge and the same evening the deposed brother sought admission to the meeting of the Grand Lodge, but was refused pending investigation into all the circumstances of the case by a committee then appointed. That committee, through De Witt Colden, investigated the affair thoroughly and reported on November 10. They practically found that the charges against Renmoulleauingratitude and dishonesty-had not been proved, that they had doubts whether a Lodge could, in any case, legally expel its Master, that the proceedings taken in connection with the expulsion were irregular, and, "finally your committee report that on whichever side of the dispute * * justice may be, it does not appear to them an affair proper to the

*