"Gentlemen:
"With pleasing sensibility
"I received your favor of the 26th, and
"beg leave to offer you my sincere thanks
"for the favorable sentiments with
"which it abounds.—
"I shall always feel pleasure
"when it may be in my power to ren-
"der service to Lodge N° 39, and in
"every act of brotherly kindness to the
"Members of it; being with great truth.
"Your affecte Brother
"and Obedt Servant
"Robt Adam Esqr Master,
"& the Wardens & Treasr
"of Lodge N° 39."
No copy of either address nor reply of this correspondence has thus far been found among the Washington papers in the Library of Congress, by the present writer.
Brother Robert Adam, the Master of Alexandria Lodge, No. 39, was a Son of the Rev. John Adam, D.D., and Janet Campbell, of Kelbride, Scotland, was born May 4, 1731; he emigrated to America in 1753, and, after a short residence at Annapolis, Md., established himself at a pleasant country residence in Fairfax County, Virginia, about four miles from Alexandria. He was a gentleman of refined taste, cultivation and wealth, and interested himself in everything that could promote the prosperity of his adopted home.
Washington's Reply to Alexandria Lodge, No. 39. Original in Alexandria-Washington Lodge, No. 22, Alexandria, Virginia.