"The Address of the Grand Lodge of Pennsyl-
"vania.
"Most Respected Sir and Brother,
"Having announced your intention to retire from
"Public Labour to that Refreshment to which your
"preëminent Services for near Half a Century have
"so justly entitled you. Permit the Grand Lodge
"of Pennsylvania at this last Feast of our Evangelic
"Master St. John, on which we can hope for an im-
"mediate Communication with you to join the grate-
"ful Voice of our Country in Acknowledging that
"you have carried forth the Principles of the Lodge
"into every Walk of your Life, by your constant
"Labours for the Prosperity of that Country, by
"your unremitting Endeavours to promote Order,
"Union and Brotherly Affection amongst us, and
"lastly by the Vows of your Farewell Address to
"your Brethren and Fellow Citizens. An Address
"which we trust Our Children and Our Childrens
"Children will ever look upon as a most invaluable
"Legacy from a Friend a Benefactor and a Father.
"To these our grateful Acknowledgments (leav-
"ing to the impartial Pen of History to record the
"important Events in which you have borne so illus-
"trious a part) permit us to add our most fervent
"prayers, that after enjoying to the utmost of
"Human Life, every Felicity which the Terrestial
"Lodge can afford, you may be received by the
"great Master Builder of this World and of Worlds
"unnumbered, into the Ample Felicity of that Celes-
"tial Lodge in which alone distinguished Virtues and
"distinguished Labours can be eternally rewarded.
"By unanimous order of the Grand Lodge of
"Pennsylvania at their communication held the 27th
"Day of December Anno Domini 5796.
REV. BRO. WILLIAM SMITH, D. D.
B. ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND, 1727. D. PHILADELPHIA, MAY 14, 1803.
GRAND CHAPLAIN "MODERNS," 1755. GRAND SECRETARY "ANCIENTS," 1779-1784.
WHO PRESENTED THE PENNSYLVANIA ADDRESSES TO BRO. WASHINGTON, 1792-1796.
It was then moved and seconded that the same be adopted. Upon the question being taken it appeared that it was approved of. On motion and seconded, it was agreed that a committee be appointed to wait on Brother Washington to acquaint him that it is the intention of this Grand Lodge to present an address to him, and to know what time he shall be pleased to appoint to receive it. The committee appointed to perform this duty were Brothers William Smith, Peter Le Barbier Duplessis and Thomas Procter, who, after having waited on him, reported that he had appointed to-morrow, December 28, 1796, at twelve o'clock to receive it. Said committee, to wit, Brothers W. Smith, Duplessis and Procter, together with Right Worshipful Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, and Junior Wardens, Grand Secretary and the Masters of the different Lodges in the City, were then appointed a Deputation to present the said Address.
This deputation consisted of Right Worshipful Grand Master William Moore Smith, Gavin Hamilton, Deputy Grand Master, Thomas Town, Senior Grand Warden, Thomas Armstrong, Esqr., Junior Grand Warden, George A. Baker, Grand Secretary, John McElwee, Grand Treasurer, and the following Masters of the Philadelphia Lodges, viz.: David Irwin, No. 2, Israel Israel, No. 3, Andrew Nilson No. 9, Eleaser Oswald, No. 19, Cadawalder Griffith, No. 52, Richard E. Cusack, No. 59, Thomas Bradley, No. 67, William Nelson, No. 71; together with the appointed Committee, Brothers William Smith D.D., Le Barbier Duplessis and Thomas Procter.
President Washington received the august deputation of the Brethren at the appointed time; the address was read before him by the Rev. Brother William Smith, D.D., whereupon he returned them a reply. This document, still in the Library of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, is entirely in the handwriting of Washington and signed by him, viz.: