Washington's Masonic Correspondence / As Found among the Washington Papers in the Library of Congress

by George Washington

"Philadelphia, January 2^d, 1792.

"Grand Lodge, By Adjournment,[50]

"A Grand Lodge was opened in ample form, and the Minutes of St. John's Day being read as far as relates to the appointment of a Committee to prepare an Address to our illustrious Brother George Washington, The Rev^d. Bro. D^r. W^m. Smith, one of the said Committee, presented the Draft of one which was read, Whereupon, on Motion and Seconded, the same was unanimously approved of, and Resolved, That the R^t. W^t. Grand Master, Dep^y. G. Master, and Grand Officers, with the Rev^d Bro. Smith, be a Committee to present the said Address in behalf of this R^t. W^t. Grand Lodge, signed by the Right Worshipful Grand Master, and Countersigned by the Grand Secretary.

"Lodge closed at half past 9 o'clock in Harmony."

Following is the address presented to Brother Washington. Both the original draft in the handwriting of Brother William Smith, showing minor alterations, as well as a fair copy, are in the archives of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.[51]

"To His Excellency George Washington, President of the United States.

"Sir and Brother:

"The Ancient York Masons of the Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania, for the first time assembled in General Communication to celebrate the Feast of S^t. John the Evangelist, since your Election to the Chair of Government in the United States, beg leave to approach you with Congratulations from the East, and in the pride of Fraternal affection to hail you as the Great Master Builder (under the Supreme Architect) by whose labours the Temple of Liberty hath been reared in the West, exhibiting to the Nations of the Earth a Model of Beauty, Order and Harmony worthy of their Imitation and Praise.

"Your Knowledge of the Origin and Objects of our Institution; its Tendency to promote the Social Affections and harmonize the Heart, give us a sure pledge that this tribute of our Veneration, this Effusion of our Love will not be ungrateful to you; nor will Heaven reject our Prayer that you may be long continued to adorn the bright list of Master workmen which our Fraternity in the terrestrial Lodge; and that you may be late removed to that Celestial Lodge where love and Harmony reign transcendent and Divine; where the great Architect more immediately presides, and where Cherubim and Seraphim, wafting our Congratulations from Earth to Heaven, shall hail you Brother.

(Seal)	"By order and in behalf of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in general Communication assembled in ample form.
(Signed)	G.M.
"Attest:	Gd. Secry.