"To the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free Masons for the State of Maryland.
"Gentlemen and Brothers:
"Your obliging and affectionate letter, together with a copy of the Constitution of Masonry, has been put into my hands by your Grand Master, for which I pray you to accept my best thanks. So far as I am acquainted with the principles and doctrines of Freemasonry, I conceive them to be founded on benevolence, and to be exercised for the good of mankind; I cannot, therefore, upon this ground withdraw my approbation from it.
"While I offer my grateful acknowledgements for your congratulations on my late appointment, and for the favorable sentiments you are pleased to express of my conduct, permit me to observe, that, at this important and critical moment, when high and repeated indignities have been offered to the Government of our country, and when the property of our citizens is plundered without a prospect of redress, I conceive it to be the indispensable duty of every American, let his station and circumstances in life be what they may, to come forward in support of the Government of his choice and to give all the aid in his power towards maintaining that independence which we have so dearly purchased; and under this impression, I did not hesitate to lay aside all personal considerations and accept my appointment. I pray you to be assured that I receive with gratitude your kind wishes for my health and happiness and reciprocate them with sincerity.
"I am, Gentlemen and Brothers,
"Very Respectfully,
"Your most Ob't Servant,
"Elkton, November 8th, 1798."
BY CHARLES BALTHAZAR FEVERET DE SAINT MEMIN.
THE LAST PORTRAIT OF WASHINGTON FROM LIFE, TAKEN IN PHILADELPHIA, NOVEMBER, 1798.