Frank Caldwell offered a resolution to the effect which was adopted that it is the sense of this convention that the establishing of Freemasonry among Colored Masons in the United States at Boston, Mass., was unauthorized and irregular and that the pretending of the organization of African Grand Lodge of Modern Masons of Boston, Mass., June the 24th, 1791, was unwarranted and clandestine.
THE FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF COLORED MASONS OF UNITED STATES WHICH CONVENED IN CHICAGO, AUGUST 10th, 1872.
A resolution was offered by W. R. Lawton and adopted that a committee of five (5) be appointed by the president of this congress to investigate the correct origin and genuineness of Freemasonry among the Colored Masons in the United States at Boston, Mass.
President W. C. H. Curtis appointed on the committee W. R. Lawton, of Missouri, John G. Jones of Chicago, B. F. Rogers of Springfield, Ill., Jos. H. Banks of Providence, R. I., H. D. Vena of Detroit, Mich.
To the President and Members of the General Masonic Congress:
The undersigned committee that was appointed to investigate the origin and the legal conditions of Freemasonry among our race in the State of Massachusetts now submit their report. Your committee wishes to be understood that we have taken considerable time in a thorough examination of the matter and we have searched diligently to ascertain the truth regardless of whom it may please or displease.
1—We find that the establishing of the African Grand Lodge of Modern Masons in Massachusetts among the Colored men on June the 24th, 1791, at Boston, Mass., that the whole work was irregular, unlawful and contrary to Masonic law.
The names of the Grand officers that were elected at the organization of this spurious and irregular African Grand Lodge of Modern Masons of Massachusetts on June 24th, 1791, was as follows:
Prince Hall Grand Master, Nero Prince, Deputy Grand Master, Cyrus Forbes, Grand Secretary, Peter Best, Grand Treasurer.
2—Your committee have investigated and made searching inquiry to find who took part in the organization of the African Grand Lodge of Modern Masons among the colored Masons at Boston, Mass., on June the 24th, 1791, and it appears from the records as well as the delegates from Massachusetts who admit and confirm the same that there was only one Lodge and that was African Lodge No. 459 that participated in the organization of the African Grand Lodge of Modern Masons that was organized June 24th, 1791, at Boston, Mass., such organization of the Grand Lodge is in open violation of Masonic laws and we cannot indorse or approve the same.