StJohnGLandStAndrew
INTERACTIONS BETWEEN ST. JOHN'S GRAND LODGE AND THE LODGE OF ST. ANDREW
The Lodge of St. Andrew was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Scotland in 1756. St. John's Grand Lodge did not recognize their legitimacy, and objected to their presence and the intrusion of the Grand Lodge of Scotland where a Provincial Grand Master had been appointed by the Grand Lodge of England.
LETTER FROM THE GRAND MASTER OF SCOTLAND, JUNE 1762
From Proceedings, Page I-90:
Extract of a Letter from the Earl of Elgin and Kincardin Grand Master of Scotland dated Edinburgh 4th June 1762:
"The last Reason assign'd by the Lodges in Boston for their unkind behaviour to you, is that the Right Worshipful Jeremiah Gridley Esqr. looks upon your Charter as an infringement of his Province as Grand Master of North America; it is my Opinion there may be some Mistake in this; You say he saw, Read and approved of your Charter, if he had any Objections, he certainly would have Signified them to You when you Show'd him your Charter; I am Confident my Right Worshipful Brother Jeremiah Gridley Esqr. knows and observes the Principles of Masonry better than to take Offence where there is not the smallest Reason given for it.
"I do not doubt nor dispute his Authority as Grand Master of all the Lodges in North America who acknowledge the Authority, and hold of the Grand Lodge of England, as he certainly has a Warrant and Commission from the Grand Master of England to that Effect; The Grand Master and Grand Lodge of Scotland have also Granted Warrant and Commission to our Rt. Worshipful Brother, Col. John Young Esqr. Constituting and Appointing him Provincial Grand Master of all the Lodges in North America who acknowledge the Authority and hold of the Grand Lodge of Scotland; these Commissions when Rightly understood can never Clash or interfere with each other. . .
"I must observe that you have made a Mistake in Your Address to the Lord Aberdour in giving him the Title of Grand Master of Great Britain; he granted your Charter as Grand Master of Scotland, he was afterwards Elected Grand Master of England, but never had any Right to the Title of Grand Master of Great Britain. . .
"Your Mistake in this may (perhaps) have given Offence to my Rt. Worshipful Brother Jeremiah Gridley Esqr. and, if so, it is very proper you should acknowledge your being mistaken in this particular."
PETITION AND LETTER FROM LODGE OF ST. ANDREW, JANUARY 1766
From Proceedings, Page I-101:
Mess Samuel Barret Ezra Collings William Palfrey Sam1 Danforth Jr & Joseph Warren as a Committee from St. Andrews Lodge so call'd was Admitted into the Grand Lodge, and presented their Petition wch was read together with a Letter from the Grand Sec'y of the Grand Lodge in Scotland to the Sd St. Andrews Lodge which highly reflected on Right Worshipful Grand Master.
From Proceedings, Page I-101, Quarterly Communication adjourned to 01/27/1766:
Boston Jany 24th 5766
Right Worshipfull Grand Master Right Worshipf Deputy Grand Master & Wpfull Wardens & Other Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge of St. Johns in Grand Lodge Assembled
As Harmony and Sincere Friendship are ornaments which add the Greatest Lustre to Masonry, the Lodge of St. Andrew being assembled for the purposes of promoting Brotherly Love and Unity Have unanimously Voted that the Compliments of this Lodge should be presented to the Right Worshipfull Grand Master of North America, the Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master Grand Wardens & all the Brethren holding under them desiring their Company at the Lodge of St. Andrew whenever it may be agreable to them and that there may be a happy Coalition.
- SAMUEL BARRET
- EZRA COLLINS
- WILLIAM PALFREY
- SAML DANFORTH JR.
- JOSEPH WARREN , Committee.
VOTE ON STATUS OF LODGE OF ST. ANDREW, JANUARY 1766
From Proceedings, Page I-101:
Voted That Isaac Decoster, David Flagg, George Graham, George Lowdilt, George Bray, George Hodge, Henry Ames, William Burbeck & James Tourner the persons named as Free & Accepted Masons in the Constitutions of a Lodge called St. Andrews Lodge in Boston in New England by the Grand Master of Scotland were not at the Time of their Application for it, or at the Date of said Constitution free and Accepted Masons.
Voted That the aforesaid Application as free and Accepted Masons was an Imposition on the Grand Lodge of Scotland.
Voted That the aforesaid Persons who petitiond for the said Constitutions and all persons who have since been added to them in their Fraternity are Irregular Masons.
Voted That it appears from the Records of this Grand Lodge that Several of the Members of the said irregular Lodge have at different times apply'd to this Grand Lodge for Liberty to Visit the Lodges under our Jurisdiction and have for said Irregularity been refused this Liberty and further that all the Members of our Lodges have been prohibited by Vote of this Grand Lodge to Visit said Irregular Lodge.
Voted therefore that the Free and Accepted Masons under this Jurisdiction cannot Visit said Fraternity according to a Request of their Committee in Writing Dated the 24th January Instant.
Voted that the aforesaid Votes be recorded in the Grand Lodge Books and that a Copy of the Same be given to the Committee of the Fraternity above mentiond when demanded.
Voted that the Grand Master be desird at the first oportunity to transmit to the Grand Master of England a Copy of the above Votes.
Voted that the petition of St. Andrews Lodge so called be recorded.
MOTION ON VISIT TO ST. ANDREW'S LODGE, FEBRUARY 1766
From Proceedings, Page I-103:
A motion was made by Bro Rowe D. G. M. that a Comittee from St. Andrews Lodge so called was waiting below to present some Votes from said Lodge which being read the Following Votes passd Vizt:
- Voted That this Lodge will Consider of their Votes.
On a Message from S4 Andrews Comtee to be hoard on some especial matters,
- Voted that Bro. Richard Gridley, Bro. Joseph Gardner, Bro Ab. Savage, Bro. Edmund Quincy G S., Bro. Thomas Walley, Bro. John Joy, Bro. John Cutler, be a Committee from this Lodge to meet said Comtee of Said St. Andrews Lodge to hear what they have further to Offer on Monday next at this House at 6 oClock P : M :
- Voted That this Grand Lodge do meet on their adjournment to Fryday Evening next at 6 oClock P : M : precisely.
PROCEEDINGS OF ST. ANDREW'S LODGE, 1766
From Proceedings, Page I-104:
Proceedings of St. Andrew's Lodge.
BOSTON February 13. 5766.
Being St. Andrews Lodge Night, the Committee appointed by said Lodge, to present their Complimentary Address to the Grand Lodge in Boston, made Report of their Proceedings, and delivered into the hands of the Secretary a Copy of the Votes which the aforesaid Grand Lodge had passed on that Occasion, which Votes being Read in the Lodge, it was Voted, that the Consideration of said Votes should be deferr'd until some future Oppertunity.
BOSTON April 10, 5766.
Being St. Andrews Lodge Night, the Votes of the Grand Lodge pass'd January 27,h 5766 were Ordered to be again Read, which being done, the following Votes were unanimously pass'd by thirtyfour Brethren then Present. Vizt:
- 1st Voted, that the first Vote of the Grand Lodge, which asserts that "Isaac Decoster, David Flagg, George Graham, George Lowditt, George Bray, George Hodges, Henry Emmes, and James Turner, the Persons named in the Constitution of a Lodge, called St. Andrews Lodge in Boston, were not at the Time of their Application, or at the Date of said Constitution, "Free and Accepted Masons," Is Erroneous and Contains its own Refutation.
- 2d Voted, that, the second Vote of the said Grand Lodge which Asserts that the aforesaid Application was "an Imposition on the Grand Lodge of Scotland" is at least a Mistake; the Truth being as follows: Our Worshipful Brother James Logan, who had been Master of a Lodge in Scotland, and a Member of the Grand Lodge there, was, when in Boston, A L. 5754, perfectly informed of the Manner and Circumstances b}' which the Persons aforesaid became Acquainted with the Mysteries of Masonry, and was desired upon his return to Scotland, truly to Represent their Difficulties to the Grand Lodge of Scotland, and to endeavour to procure for them a Charter: The Grand Lodge of Scotland finding from the Relation given by our Brother Logan, that a Number of Persons in Boston intrusted with the Secrets of Masonry, were, notwithstanding their repeated Application refused Admittance into the Regular Lodges in said Boston; the said Grand Lodge in their great Wisdom, thought fit to Grant them a Charter of New Erection, with Ample Priveleges, thereby manifesting their Approbation of them, as Free and Accepted Masons.
- 3d Voted, that it appears from the fourth and fifth Votes of the Grand Lodge, that the Members of S4 Andrews Lodge, have acted consistant with their Character as Masons, in their Application to the Grand Lodge, for Liberty to Visit the Lodges under their Jurisdiction, and that the Conduct of said Grand Lodge in refusing them, and prohibiting their Members from Visiting the Lodge of St. Andrew, was directly Subversive of the Principles of Masonry.
- 4th Voted, that the Lodge of S4 Andrew, have in Time past, shewn all due Respect and Regard to the Members of the Grand Lodge in Boston, and to the Brethren under their Jurisdiction, and that their future Behaviour shall ever demonstrate their Affection for them, and their determined Resolution to embrace every Method, consistant with the Good of Masonry and their own Honour, to promote a Social Intercourse with Persons whom they so highly Esteem as Brethren and Friends.
- 5th Voted, that the aforesaid Votes of the Grand Lodge, and the above Votes of this Lodge, be Recorded in the Books of this Lodge.
- 6th Voted, that a Copy of the Complimentary Address, from this Lodge to the Grand Lodge in Boston togather with the Votes of said Grand Lodge in consequence of said Address, and the above Votes, be Transmitted to the Grand Lodge in Scotland, by the first Oppertunity.
- 7th Voted, that Brothers, William Burbeck, Samuel Barrett, Moses Deshon, Ezra Collins, William Palfrey, Samuel Danforth Junr. and Joseph Warren, be a Committee to Present the aforesaid Votes to the Grand Master and Grand Lodge in their next Meeting.
- MOSES DESHON
- WILLIAM BURBECK
- SAMUEL BARRETT
- EZRA COLLINS
- WILLIAM PALFREY
- SAMUEL DANFORTH JUNR.
- JOSEPH WARREN
A true Copy from the Original.
ABRHM. SAVAGE, Gr Secy
