396 THE FRE:N^CH BLOOD IN AMEEICA 



have made clear, became citizens of iuflueuce and much 

 respectability. Some of them were leaders in the mercan- 

 tile, social and religious circles. Here they entered into 

 an atmosphere of liberty and opportunity which they 

 wisely used. They established themselves so firmly and 

 well in this community that their descendants — men of 

 integrity and influence — remain to this day. In the town 

 of Boston, and later in the city, as well as in the Masonic 

 Lodges, to which so many of them belonged, they were 

 active and useful, being ever outspoken and zealous on 

 the side of toleration, liberty and equality. 



L'Amenite Lodge, No. 73, Philadelphia 



February 22, 1800, was a day set apart by Congress as 

 a "Washington Day" throughout the United States. It 

 was observed in Philadelphia by the Freemasons. Nine 

 lodges participated in the exercises at Philadelphia. 

 L'Amenite Lodge, No. 73, held a special open lodge of its 

 own and Brother Simon Chaudron was the orator. The 

 lodge was appropriately draped, and a catafalque in the 

 centre of the lodge room was surrounded by 300 lights. 



L'Amenite Lodge was organized by French refugees, 

 and chartered May 20, 1797. Its first officers were : 

 W. M. — Tanguy de la Beissiere ; S. W.— Gabriel De- 

 combaz ; J. W. — Armand Caignet. Among the members 

 were Abbe La Grange, Belin Gardette, and Simon 

 Chaudron, the orator of February 22, 1800. Chaudron 

 delivered his address in the presence of the Grand Lodge 

 of Pennsylvania, and it was the first Masonic eulogy, in 

 the French language, that was ever spoken upon Washing- 

 ton. The address was printed in the French and English 

 languages. In view of the strained relations at the time 

 between France and the United States, Chaudron' s ad- 

 dress had much political significance. L'Amenite went 

 out of existence in 1823. 



