The Early Introduction of Bogus Freemasonry in the United States of America and Texas Among Colored Masons

by C. L. Mitchell

Sixteenth Question—When the Grand Lodge of Texas was organized at Houston, Texas, Jan. 19th, 1875, that J. W. McKinney is now the Grand Master of, did that Grand Lodge have a Charter from the Bogus National Compact Grand Lodge of North America?

Sixteenth Answer—Yes they did, and looking over the records of the National Grand Lodge of North America that was organized at Boston, Mass., in 1847, which was a bogus concern. Here is a copy of the Charter that was issued to the Grand Lodge of Texas in 1875 by the Spurious National Compact Grand Lodge of North America.

THE WARRANT OF THE MOST WORSHIPFUL COMPACT GRAND LODGE OF FREE AND ACCEPTED YORK MASONS FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS.

To All Whom It May Concern:

The Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and honorable fraternity of Free and Accepted Ancient York Masons of the United States of North America, according to the old constitution at York in the kingdom of England duly established and organized for the said Convention held in the city of Boston, the State of Massachusetts on the 24th, 25th, 26th and 28th day of June, A. D., 1847; A. L. 5847.

Whereas a petition bearing date Jan. 19th, 1875, was represented and presented in the name of N. W. Cuney and others from the State of Texas praying the grant of a Charter of Constitution in the usual form for holding a Grand Lodge in the State of Texas under the name and title of the Most Worshipful Compact Grand Lodge for the State of Texas, and under the authority of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the United States and North America proposing the persons hereafter mentioned to be the first Grand Master and the first Grand Secretary viz: N. W. Cuney of Galveston, Texas Grand Master, J. J. Hamilton Grand Secretary together with their associates which petition having been duly considered we are pleased to ordain a Charter to be issued in the terms herein written.

Know Ye, therefore, that the Most Worshipful National Grand Master and the National Grand Lodge of North America have constituted, erected and appointed likewise, they do hereby constitute, erect and appoint the Grand Master and Grand Wardens, and brethren to be now and in all times coming a Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted York Masons for the State of Texas, and we do hereby authorize and empower our worthy and beloved brethren and their successors in office to constitute by charter or organize Lodges within the State of Texas according to the constitution of the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of North America duly constituted on the 24th day of June, 1847, at Boston, Mass., and comply with the rules and regulations and the payment of such sums of money as be assessed by the Constitution and regulation of the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of North America.

And we do further authorize and empower the said constituted brethren and their successors to have and determined all and singular matters and things relating to the craft within their jurisdiction with the assistance of the members of the said Grand Lodge subject to an appeal to the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of North America and shall possess and exercise all the power and function of a State Grand Lodge and we do hereby require the said constituted brethren to attend the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of North America at their triennial communication and other meetings by their Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master and Grand Wardens or by proxy regularly appointed; also to keep a fair and regular record of your proceedings in a book to be kept for that purpose and we do enjoin upon the officers and brethren of said Grand Lodge in the State of Texas that they be punctual in their payments of such sums of money as may be assessed on them by this National Compact Grand Lodge of North America and to make regular returns annually to the National Grand Secretary or to the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge.

And we do hereby declare that the proceedings of said Grand Lodge in the State of Texas by which brother N. W. Cuney is the Grand Master of to commence from Jan. 19th, 1875, and we do hereby authorize and empower our said Worshipful Brother N. W. Cuney of Galveston, Texas, and his associates in office to install their successors first being duly elected and chosen to whom they shall deliver this warrant and invest them with all the powers and dignities to their offices respectfully belonging and such successors shall like manner from time to time install their successors, such installation to be upon or near the St. John the Evangelist or St. John the Baptist's day during the continuance of this Grand Lodge.

Given by the authority of the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of North America under the signature of the Most Worshipful National Grand Master of the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of North America this 19th day of Jan. 1875.