30 LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE OF THE [178O 



Philadelphia. This Grand Lodge has under its jurisdiction in Penn- 

 sylvania and the States adjacent, thirty-one different regular Lodges, 

 containing in the whole more than one thousand brethren. Enclosed 

 you have a printed abstract of some of our late proceedings, and by 

 that of January 13th last, you will observe that we have, so far as de- 

 pends on us, done that honor which we think due to our illustrious 

 Brother, General Washington, viz., electing him Grand Master ov'er all 

 the Grand Lodges formed or to be formed in these United States, not 

 doubting of the concurrence of all the Grand Lodges in America to 

 make this election effectual. 



We have been informed by Col. Palfrey that there is a Grand Lodge 

 of Ancient York Masons in the State of Massachusetts, and that you are 

 Grand Master thereof; as such, I am, therefore, to request that you will 

 lay our proceedings before your Grand Lodge, and request their con- 

 current Voice in the appointment of General Washington, as set forth 

 in the said Minute of January the 13th, which, as far as we have been 

 able to learn, is a Measure highly approved by all the brethren, and 

 that will do honor to the Craft. 



I am, etc., William Smith, Grand Secretary. 



To Joseph Webb. 



Reply to the Preceding Letter. 



Boston, September 4th, 17S0. 



Sir: Your agreeable favor of the 19th ult., I duly received the 31st, 

 covering a printed abstract of the proceedings of your Grand Lodge. 

 I had received one before, near three months, from the Master of a 

 travelling Lodge of the Connecticut line, but it not coming officially, 

 did not lay it before the Grand Lodge, but the evening after I received 

 yours, it being Grand Lodge; I laid it before them and had some debate 

 on it, whereupon it was agreed to adjourn the Lodge for three weeks, to 

 the 2 2d instant, likewise to write to all the Lodges under this jurisdic- 

 tion to attend themselves if convenient by their Master and Wardens, 

 and if not, to give instructions to their proxies here concerning their 

 acquiescence in the proposal. 



I am well assured that no one can have any objections to so illustrious 

 a person as General Washington to preside as Grand Master of the 

 United States, but at the same time it will be necessary to know from 

 you his prerogative as such; whether he is to appoint sub-grand or 

 Provincial Grand Masters of each State: if so, I am confident that the 

 Grand Lodge of this State will never give up their right of electing 

 their own Grand Masters and other officers annually. This induces me to 

 write to you now, before the result of the Grand Lodge takes place, and 

 must beg an answer by the first opportunity, that I may be enabled to 

 lay the same before them. I have not heard of any State except yours 

 and this that have proceeded as yet since the Lidependence to elect 

 their officers, but have been hoping that they would. 



