Another use made of this letter by unprincipled persons was to make a photo-lithographic copy of the letter, and substitute the name of another state for that of Pennsylvania, and then palm it off upon the authorities of that state as an original letter to their Grand Lodge. The latest case of this kind known to the writer is that of the Grand Lodge of Georgia, who were thus imposed upon.
Then again the letter has been extensively used for advertising purposes by publishing houses of Masonic literature.
The letter has also been printed in most all books bearing upon Masonic history during the revolutionary period.
It was also frequently quoted and criticised during the Anti-Masonic craze which swept over the country some eighty-odd years ago, it being the chief Masonic letter of the five known to the leaders of those misguided persons. The main point of their argument was that it bore no date and therefore was not authentic.
MOUNT VERNON
DURING WASHINGTON'S OCCUPANCY, 1788-1799.
Footnotes:
[58] Cf. The Religious and Social Conditions of Philadelphia, under the Federal Constitution, 1790-1800. Julius F. Sachse, Philadelphia, 1900.
[59] Cf. "Freemasonry in Pennsylvania," before quoted, Vol. II, pp. 190-197; original copy in archives of Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.