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diff --git a/40234.txt b/40234.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 41987c1..0000000 --- a/40234.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2805 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Early Introduction of Bogus Freemasonry -in the United States of America and Texas Among Colored Masons, by Charles L. Mitchell - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: The Early Introduction of Bogus Freemasonry in the United States of America and Texas Among Colored Masons - -Author: Charles L. Mitchell - -Release Date: July 14, 2012 [EBook #40234] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE EARLY INTRODUCTION OF *** - - - - -Produced by Bryan Ness and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive/American Libraries.) - - - - - - - - - - THE EARLY INTRODUCTION OF - - BOGUS FREEMASONRY - IN THE - UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - AND TEXAS - AMONG COLORED MASONS - - Copyrighted February 23, 1909, by Chas. L. Mitchell - San Antonio, Texas - - PRICE 25 CENTS - - - Complied by - C. L. MITCHELL, 33 deg. - Grand Master of M. W. King Solomon Grand Lodge A. F. & A. M. - of Texas - - And Grand Auditor General H. E. of the United Supreme Council - of A. A. Scottish Rites for the Southern and Western Masonic - Jurisdiction of the United States of America - - THE ARMSTRONG CO. SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - - - - -Preface - - -In the pleasant labors of compiling this work I have been assisted by -one of the brightest stars in the galaxy of brilliant meteors in the -Masonic Firmament, to whom I heartily tender my grateful -acknowledgements; hoping that the advantages anticipated may be fully -realized by my brethren. - -In my effort to pull the Mask off of the Clandestine, self constituted -Organization of Freemasonry Among Colored Men in the state of -Massachusetts, under the supervision and control of the self -styled--Illegitimate Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, And also -the early introduction and the irregularity of Clandestine and Bogus -Freemasonry in the State of Texas among Colored Men; I respectfully -submit and dedicate the results of my efforts of this work to the Ill. -John G. Jones, 33 deg. M. P. Sovereign Grand Commander of the United Supreme -Council of A. A. S. Rites of the Southern and Western Masonic -Jurisdiction of the United States, its Territories and Dependencies, and -Imperial Grand Potentate of the Imperial Grand Council of the Ancient -Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of North and South America, -also Grand Master of Masons of the State of Illinois. - - C. L. Mitchell, 33 deg., Grand Master, - M. W. King Solomon Grand Lodge, - A. F. & A. M. of Texas and Masonic Jurisdiction. - -San Antonio, Texas. - - - - -[Illustration - - C. L. MITCHELL, 33 deg. - M. W. Grand Master - M. W. King Solomon Grand Lodge - A. F. & A. M. Jurisdiction of Texas. - - Grand Auditor General, H. E. - United Supreme Council, A. A. S. R. - for the - S. and W. Masonic Jurisdiction U. S. A. - Grand Deputy of the Imperial Grand Council - for the - Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine - For North and South America - Grand Register General of the Order of the Red Cross - of Constantine] - - - - -ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF BOGUS FREEMASONRY AMONG COLORED MEN - -In the United States of America and Texas, From its Earliest -Introduction - - - San Antonio, Texas Dec 1, 1908 - -In order that the members of the Masonic Fraternity may have a correct -and thorough understanding about the origin and the irregularity of -Freemasonry among Colored men in the state of Texas, it will be -necessary to state the time and place that clandestine and spurious -Freemasonry among Colored Men was instituted in the state of -Massachusetts and also the establishing of that self constituted African -Grand Lodge of Modern Masons of Massachusetts which is now the Prince -Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts for it was from that corrupt, -notorious, bogus Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts whose record -covers the very blackest page in masonic history that Freemasonry among -Colored Men in the state of Texas first originated from. I am fully -aware of the fact that when the truth is told about the actions and -conduct of the leaders of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts -which has been done from time to time their minds are inflamed to an -extra ordinary degree of madness, hatred and dislike and they talk and -write and say anything except the truth, and the truth they will never -state except it is by accident on one hand and mistake on the other. - - - - -FREEMASONRY AMONG COLORED MEN IN MASSACHUSETTS - -March 6, 1775 - - -1st question. Who were the Colored Men in the state of Massachusetts -that have advertised themselves and who claimed to have been made Master -Masons in a White Masonic Lodge in the state of Massachusetts. Can you -state the time and place and under what circumstances they have asserted -that it occurred? - -1st Answer. The Colored Men in the state of Massachusetts that have been -advertised of having been made Master Masons, were Prince Hall, Boston -Smith, Thomas Sanderson and two or three others. They have said and have -tried to make someone believe that they were made Master Masons in a -White Masonic Lodge that was called a Traveling Masonic Lodge and that -it was connected with General Gages Military Regiment at Boston -Massachusetts on the 6th of March 1775 and that this White Masonic Lodge -in General Gages Military Regiment, they said, held a charter from the -Grand Lodge of England, and replying to that unwarranted statement made -and published by the leaders of the spurious Prince Hall Grand Lodge of -Massachusetts, for the Grand Lodge of England has repeatedly said that -they did not have any masonic lodge in General Gages Military Regiment -when that regiment was in the United States and the question has time -after time been asked the members of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of -Massachusetts and particularly those in Massachusetts that claim to know -so much about it to give the name and the number of that masonic lodge -that Prince Hall, Boston Smith and Thomas Sanderson was made master -masons in that was connected with General Gages Military Regiment which -was then in the United States, and these wily fellows and Masonic -intervators have never been able to give us any information as to what -the name or even the number of this Masonic Lodge that they say was in -General Gages Military Regiment. And inasmuch as no person has ever been -found that could furnish any genuine information about this matter there -is no doubt but the statements that have been paraded around the country -about this matter were bare-faced, willful and malicious falsehoods, and -in the absence of any proof to confirm their statements it is very safe -to say that Prince Hall, Boston Smith, Thomas Sanderson and their -associates simply went to bed at night and dreamed that they had been -made Master Masons and got up next morning with their minds in a high -state of hallucination and really thought it was so, when as a matter of -fact there was nothing, nothing in it, and they simply drew on their -imaginations. - -2nd question. What was the name of the first lodge of Colored Men who -belonged to the Masonic fraternity in the state of Mass.? - -2nd Answer. The name of the first Colored Lodge of Masons in the state -of Massachusetts was a lodge named African Lodge No. 459. - -3rd question. When was the first Grand Lodge of Colored Masons organized -in the state of Mass.? - -3rd Answer. The name of the first Grand Lodge of Colored Masons that was -organized in the state of Mass. was a Grand Lodge that was designated as -African Grand Lodge of Modern Masons of Mass. - -4th question. How many lodges took part in the organization of African -Grand Lodge of Modern Masons that was organized at Boston Mass. on the -24th of June 1791? - -4th Answer. There was only one lodge that took part in the organization -of African Grand Lodge of Masons of Mass. on the 24th of June 1791 at -Boston Mass. when the Masonic law and landmarks of Freemasonry have said -that in order to organize a regular Grand Lodge it requires not less -than three warranted lodges, that has been the Masonic law both in this -country and in Europe and has been followed and strictly adhered to by -every well regulated and lawful Masonic Grand Lodge since the year of -1717 down to the present day and not otherwise. - -5th question. What is meant by the words F. & A. M.? - -5th Answer. Free and Accepted Mason the words and title of Free and -Accepted Mason is an innovation in Masonry and was adopted by Masons who -did not wish to follow the early established custom rules and principles -of the Masonic fraternity. - -6th question. What is meant by the words and title A. F. & A. M.? - -6th Answer. The words A. F. & A. M. means Ancient Free and Accepted -Masons which words and title are of ancient origin and should be used -and adopted by every well regulated Masonic subordinate lodge and Grand -Lodge in this country. For it is in keeping with the early ancient -Masonic laws rules and regulations of the Masonic fraternity. - -7th question. What is meant by the words and title of states rights, -masons as you so often hear in the state of Texas by the masons who -belong to the so-called Grand Lodge of Texas that J. W. McKinney is the -Grand Master of and also the so-called Grand Lodge of the State of New -York that one individual who goes by the name of Henry A. Spencer who -advertises himself as being the Grand Master of the so-called Grand -Lodge of Colored Masons of the state of New York which is a self -constituted and bogus grand body? - -7th Answer. The best application and definition that can be given to -those masons who call themselves state right masons is that they are no -masons at all. For if a man is a legal and genuine mason he is a mason -all over the world, and is to be recognized as a mason in every land and -in every country, but the masons in the state of Texas that belong to -the McKinney Grand Lodge in Texas and the self constituted Grand Lodge -in the state of New York that Henry A. Spencer is at the head of they -are not recognized all over the world and these being state institutions -and the masons who belong in Texas and of New York are not recognized as -legitimate masons in any part of the world. - -8th question. What is meant by the numbers of 3, 5 and 7? - -8th Answer. The fundamental numbers in Freemasonry are 3, 5 and 7, and -of these, by far the most essential is the number 3. The three principal -columns are Wisdom, Strength and Beauty, and a lodge is supported by -them. - -The number "three" derived its significance in the early period of -antiquity, and back in the ages of the earliest centuries, no court of -law was legally organized unless three judges were present, and these -tribunals perpetuated ancient temples worshipped frequently, if not -invariably convened, under trees, in imitation of the Scandinavian ash. - -Seven threes were prescribed as the highest number. The judges were -absolutely required to open and regularly hold a court of justice. The -maximum was seven, and in some cases five were demanded to proceed in -due form to adjudicate upon the matter brought before them. These -practices in early days present a solution of the Masonic landmark that -three or more members are necessary to open or close a Masonic lodge. - -9th question. What is meant by the word and title of A. F. & A. Y. -Masons? - -9th Answer. A. F. & A. Y. Masons means Ancient, Free and Accepted York -Masons, the city of York is in the north part of England it is -celebrated for its traditional connection with Freemasonry in England. -The first charter granted in England to the Masons as a body was by -authority and power of King Athelstan, in the year of 926 at York, -England and the application was made by Prince Edwin and Prince Edwin -summoned all the Masons in England to meet him in congregation at the -City of York, England and from this assemblage of Masons at York the -letter "Y" originated. Prince Edwin was elected Grand Master of the -Grand Lodge that was organized at York England in 926. From the -commencement of 926 of the assembly of Masons at York the letter "Y" -commenced, and has been known among members of the Masonic fraternity -and at the establishing of the Grand Lodge at York, England in the year -926 they adopted a constitution and general regulation for the craft. - -Prince Edwin, the brother of King Athelstan of England was an eminent -and distinguished Mason and King Athelstan was the grandson of King -Alfred the first anointed King of England who translated the Holy Bible -into the Saxon language. - -The Grand Lodge that was established in York, England in 926 prospered -and flourished. The City of York, England was the seat of Masonic -government of the craft in England. - - - - -THE MASK STRIPPED OFF OF THE CLANDESTINE SPURIOUS AND UNLAWFUL SELF -CONSTITUTED ORGANIZATION OF FREEMASONRY - -Among Colored Men in the State of Massachusetts Under the Supervision -and Control of the Self Styled Illegitimate Prince Hall Grand Lodge of -Massachusetts Dissected and Exposed and is now in the Limelight of Day. - - -The self styled Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Mass. and the Grand Lodges -among Colored Masons that recognized them and affiliated with them have -time after time published in their printed proceedings to the Masonic -world that Freemasonry among Colored Men in the state of Mass. commenced -at the time when Prince Hall, Boston Smith, Thomas Sanderson and their -associates were made master masons that it was in a white lodge and that -this White Masonic Lodge was connected with General Gages Military -Regiment, and that this Military Regiment was at Boston Mass. March the -6th 1775 and the Masonic Lodge that was claimed to be connected with -General Gages Military Regiment holds its charter of power and authority -from the Grand Lodge of England and they positively state in language -that it is so plain that it cannot be misunderstood that Prince Hall, -Boston Smith, Thomas Sanderson and their followers was made Master -Masons on the 6th of March 1775 at Boston Mass. if any person has any -doubt about the matter read the printed Masonic proceedings of the -Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Mass. of 1875, 1876 and 1877 and the year of -1903 and 1904. See the History of Freemasonry among Colored Men in the -State of Mass. by the late Louis Hayden past Grand Master of the Prince -Hall Grand Lodge of Mass. See the Grand Lodge proceedings of Illinois -for the year of 1873, 1874 and 1875. See the Grand Lodge proceedings of -Pennsylvania of 1865, 1872, and 1876. See the historical facts of -Freemasonry among Colored Men in the United States published by J. M. -Conna of Connecticut in the year of 1876. See the history of Freemasonry -among Colored Men in the United States by W. H. Grimshaw of Washington -D. C. 1903. These and many other Grand Lodges make the same statement. - -Now to show you that these ignoramuses and peddlers of Masonic falsehood -did not even know or have the slightest conception of what they were -talking about. They hastened to put their ignorant and prejudice -imagination and conclusions into print which has been the cause and the -means of bringing confusion among the craft. - -The records of the War department of the English Government show that -General Gages Military Regiment was not in the United States of America -and located at Boston Mass. in the year of 1772-1773 and in the middle -part of the year of 1774. It appears from the record of the English War -department that General Gages Military Regiment which was stationed at -Boston Mass. was in the middle part of 1774 recalled to England and did -not return back to the United States again. And a number of voluminous -articles has on several occasions appeared in numerous American -magazines by some of our American Military Generals relative to the -occupation of British soldiers on American soil in the year of 1774, -1775, 1776 and you will find that they do not mention or refer to the -name of General Gages Military Regiment being present in Boston Mass. in -the year 1775 at Boston Mass. but they do refer to General Gages -Military Regiment being in the United States at Boston in the year of -1772 and 1773 and the middle part of the year of 1774 and having been -recalled by the English government. In the National Magazine of the -month of June 1907 an article there appeared in that magazine relative -to the withdrawal by the English War Department of General Gages -Regiment from Massachusetts in the year of 1774. - -And upon further investigation of this matter we find that General Gages -Military Regiment which Prince Hall, Boston Smith, Thomas Sanderson and -their associates claim to have been made Master Masons on the 6th of -March 1775 at Boston Mass. that General Gages Regiment was not in the -United States at that time. This was published by a circular issued by -James Barnett Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New York. See the -proceedings of the organization of the second Grand Lodge of Colored -Masons Of the state of New York James Barnett in the year of 1848. See -the circular letter of Jacob Francis Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge -of New York on Oct. 25th 1848, and they state the same thing that -General Gages Military Regiment was not in the United States of America -March the 6th 1775 and that being true how can it be possible that -Prince Hall, Boston Smith, Thomas Sanderson and their associates could -have been made Master Masons in a Lodge in General Gages Military -Regiment on the 6th of March 1775 at Boston Mass. when General Gages -Military Regiment was not in the United States of America. It shows -conclusively that the introduction of Freemasonry in the State of Mass. -among Colored Men was not only unlawful and a fraud and sham, but that -the statements coming from those individuals from the State of Mass. was -untruthful and unreliable and they simply told beyond all peradventure -of a doubt, a bare-faced, wilful and malicious lie, and which had been -manufactured for the very purpose of misleading and hoodwinking the -Colored People of this country. - -I am satisfied that the claim put forth by the members of the spurious -Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Mass. that Prince Hall and his associates -claiming that they were made Master Masons in a Lodge in General Gages -Military Regiment on March the 6th 1775 at Boston Mass. is a falsehood -and a complete misrepresentation from beginning to end for there is not -a particle of genuine documentary evidence that has ever been presented -to sustain or reply upon anything that the followers and Members of the -Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Mass. has ever said or written. - - -AFRICAN GRAND LODGE OF MODERN MASONS OF MASSACHUSETTS ORGANIZED WITH -ONLY ONE LODGE ON THE 24TH OF JUNE 1791 AT BOSTON MASS. - -The first Grand Lodge of Colored Masons in the State of Mass. was named -African Grand Lodge of Modern Masons of Mass. and it was organized with -only one Lodge and the name of that Lodge was African Lodge No. 459 this -occurred on the 24th of June 1791 at Boston Mass. See the circular of -the proceedings of the organization of African Grand Lodge of Modern -Mason of Mass. organized June the 24th 1791 at Boston Mass. and signed -by Prince Hall Grand Master and Prince Taylor Grand Secretary of the -African Grand Lodge of Modern Masons of Mass. See the printed -proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Illinois in 1867. See the printed -proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Iowa when it was organized in the year -of 1881 when John Page was elected Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of -Colored Masons of the State of Iowa in 1881. - -See the circular and the Masonic proceedings issued by J. H. Hall Grand -Secretary of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey in the year of 1873. See the -proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee when Nelson McGavoc was -Grand Master and Abraham Smith was Grand Secretary in the year of 1874. -See the circular issued by the Grand Lodge of New York in 1874 when W. -C. H. Curtis was Grand Master, and Albert Woodson was Grand Secretary. -See the printed proceedings of the various sessions of the Grand Lodge -of Mass. See the history of Freemasonry in the United States among -Colored Men by J. N. Conna of Connecticut together with the Published -statements of a number of other Grand Lodges and they all emphatically -state and agree in language that is not uncertain, that the first Grand -Lodge of Colored Masons organized in the State of Mass. was African -Grand Lodge of Modern Masons which was organized with only one Lodge and -that was on the 24th day of June 1791 at Boston Mass. - -There cannot be any doubt by any Masonic scholar or student in this day -or time nor there can be any uncertainty in the manner by the officers -and members of any well regulated and lawful Grand Lodge of Freemasonry -in the whole world, but that the establishing of African Grand Lodge of -Modern Masons of Mass. on the 24th of June 1791 with only one Lodge but -that it is a clandestine spurious and irregular body for it has been -since the year of 1717 that well established Masonic law of Freemasonry -that it requires not less that three warranted Lodges to organize a -regular Grand Lodge. The Masonic authorities on that proposition both in -this country and Europe are uninformed and no Grand Lodge has ever been -recognized as being a legal Grand Lodge that has been organized with a -less number than three warranted lodges. - - -The Name of the African Grand Lodge of Massachusetts was Changed to the -Name of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Mass. in 1808. - -After the Death of Prince Hall which occurred in the year of 1807, at -the session held in the year of 1808 the name of African Grand Lodge of -Modern Masons of Massachusetts was changed to the name of Prince Hall -Grand Lodge of Modern Masons of Mass. - -Judging from the rapid and numerous changes of position as soon as a -cloud appeared among the so-called bogus Masons and an spurious Grand -Lodge of Mass. some of the Masonic writers and followers and members of -the bogus Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Mass. when they where exposed and -shown up and dislodged from one untenable position they have jumped from -one position to another. On the 24th of June 1791 they called themselves -Modern Masons, in 1847 they called themselves Compact Masons, in 1880 -they styled themselves as Free and Accepted Masons. We may expect at any -time to hear of those Masonic imposters and shams of Mass, belonging to -that notorious self constituted Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Mass. giving -themselves another title and name at any time. - - London England - Freemasonry Hall - Office of the Grand Sec. - - London England, May 10, 1874. - - To John G. Jones, Esq., - Grand Secretary, - Dear Sir and Bro:-- - - On the 27th of December of 1873 I addressed you a letter which I - hope will reach you in due time giving you the information that you - seek concerning a Lodge that was said to have belonged to the Grand - Lodge of England in General Gages Military Regiment that was in the - United States of America. As I stated to you in my former letter - that there was no Masonic Lodge in General Gages Military Regiment - in the United States and I beg to state to you and the brethren in - your country as to a provincial Grand Master by the Grand Lodge of - England. Any person having such papers claiming to be such is a - fraud. I enclose you a copy of a letter that I addressed to Mr. B. - F. Rogers of Springfield Ill., who is Grand Master of your State. - - I trust this will supply you with all the information that you - desire. - - Yours Fraternally, - John Hervey, - Grand Sec'y. - - - London England, - Freemason Hall - Office of the Grand Sec. - - London England, May 4th, 1875. - - Mr. B. F. Rogers, - Grand Master of Masons of the State of Ill. - - My very Dear Sir and Bro:-- - - Your letter was received. I take pleasure in stating to you that in - the latter part of December 1873 I forwarded a letter to Bro. John - G. Jones of Chicago who is Grand Secretary of your Grand Lodge in - which I gave him the information that you now desire. I now beg to - say to you that the Grand Lodge of England never had any Masonic - Lodge in General Gages Military Regiment whose occupation was in the - United States at the time that you mentioned nor has our Grand Lodge - any record of any such appointment as Prince Hall to be Provincial - Grand Master in the United States. If any such appointment is - presented and claims to have been made by the Grand Lodge of England - you are at liberty to deny it, and give the same information if you - wish to the craft in the United States as we do not wish our Grand - Lodge to be misrepresented. - - Yours fraternally, - John Hervey, - Grand Sec'y. - - - Lawyer John G. Jones 33, - Sov. Grand Commander, - - Paris, France, Nov. 4th. 1907. - - Illustrious Sir and Bro: Your letter reached me on yesterday and - many thanks. You will kindly remember me to all brethren in Chicago. - I like America better than I do this country, or the places that I - have been in since I left Chicago probably that is owing to the fact - that having been born and reared in Chicago I feel more at home. But - the French people, and particularly those that are members of - Masonic fraternity, are very pleasant and kind. I visited one Lodge - last night and last week I visited the consistory of the Ancient - Accepted Scottish Rite. Before you are admitted in any of the - Masonic bodies, here you are required to stand a very rigid - examination, you know about what that is. There is no prejudice in - this section of the country against man because he may be of a dark - complexion, in all of my travels the Masonic body of which you are - the head of in America among colored Masons is the only one that is - known and recognized in this part of the country where I have been. - We will go to London, England, next week. I will write you when I - get there. - - Yours Fraternally, H. S. COLLINS, 33, - - - London, England, Nov. 28th. 1907. - Illustrious John G. Jones, 33, - Grand Master of Masons of Illinois. - - Very Dear Brother--We arrived here last week and will remain here - probably for a month. Will you kindly see Bro. Geo. Standwood, the - Secretary of Chicago Lodge No. 5, and pay him my dues to the Lodge? - We will be in Chicago the latter part of February, 1908. I have much - to tell you when I get home. I visited the Masonic Lodges since I - have been here and was treated with the utmost courtesy. The diploma - from my Lodge and Consistory that you signed has been a great - service and benefit to me. I hear your name quite highly spoken of - by the members of the Masonic Fraternity this side of the Atlantic - ocean. The Lodges and Masons that you are connected with in America - among colored Masons are the only ones that are recognized over - here. - - Yours Fraternally, H. S. COLLINS, 33. - - -CAN ONE MASONIC LODGE ASSUME THE FUNCTION OF A GRAND LODGE? - -Some one might ask the question can only one lodge assume the functions -of a Grand Lodge? The answer to that must be emphatically No, and -whatever Lodge assumes the functions of a Grand Lodge then such Grand -Lodge is unlawful and irregular. See Mackey's Masonic Jurisprudence, see -Mitchell's Authority on Masonic Law, see Chase and Preston on Masonic -Law and they all agree that one Lodge cannot assume the function of a -Grand Lodge. - - -BOGUS PRINCE HALL GRAND LODGE OF MASSACHUSETTS NEVER HAS BEEN HEALED. - -In order to place the matter before the Masonic fraternity some one -might inquire and ask the question that since the time that African -Grand Lodge of Modern Masons of Massachusetts was organized with only -one Lodge. On the 24th of June. 1791, which is now the Prince Hall Grand -Lodge of Massachusetts have they ever been healed and legally -Masonically set right? The answer to that is that they have not and only -a short time ago they admitted by saying that they had never been -healed, and Masonically set right, and that being true they were -established in an unlawful manner and are clandestine and irregular -Masons to this very day, and I challenge them to present any proof to -the contrary. - - -CAN A SUBORDINATE LODGE GRANT A LICENSE OR CHARTER TO ORGANIZE ANOTHER -LODGE? THEY CANNOT. - -In order to justify the irregular and unlawful Masonic work that has -been done in the State of Massachusetts by the Colored men who belong to -the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts they attempt to justify -their actions by saying that it was legal and lawful for African Lodge -No. 459 to grant a license or charter to organize another Lodge and they -have published in a circular of two cases of that kind that occurred in -the year 1625. I have taken particular pains to thoroughly investigate -the cases that they referred to and no such actions of that kind was -ever done by any Masonic Lodge in the places that they referred to. All -the Masonic authorities, both in this country and Europe, have made it -plain how a Masonic Lodge could be organized and it must be done by the -authority of a Grand Lodge. No intelligent Mason and no genuine and -regular Mason, either Black or White, in the whole world, can find any -authority or precedent where one Subordinate Lodge can grant a charter -to another Subordinate Lodge. - - - The Following Excerpt of a Letter From Ill. John G. Jones, of - Chicago, Ill., Relative to Law Suit Pending in the District of - Columbia Between the Old Compact Grand Lodge of the District of - Columbia and the Legitimate Grand Lodge A. F. & A. Masons of - Which Bro. H. C. Scott is Grand Master Shows That the Question - at Issue is Purely a Local Matter and Does Not in Any Way Affect - Any Other Grand Lodges in This Country and Shows Conclusively - That the Claims Made by W. H. Grimshaw Amount to Nothing. - - Chicago. Ill., Dec. 2, 1908. - - Bro. Charles L. Mitchell, 33, Grand Master. - - The law suit between the two Grand Lodges in the District of - Columbia is as follows: - - The Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia that Bro. H. C. - Scott is the Grand Master of, over two years ago commenced a - law suit against the old Compact Grand Lodge in the District - of Columbia to prohibit them from using the word "ancient" - the old Compact Grand Lodge in the District of Columbia - filed a cross bill and saying that they were the first Grand - Lodge in the District of Columbia to use the word "ancient" - and Judge Wright of the Equity Court in giving his opinion - rules and held that the old Compact Grand Lodge of the - District of Columbia was entitled to use the word "ancient" - and enjoined the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia - that Bro. H. C. Scott is the Grand Master of from using the - word "ancient" and Bro. Scott and his Grand Lodge has - appealed the case to the Court of Appeals in the District of - Columbia where they can get justice in the matter. The law - suit is a local matter between the two Grand Lodges In the - District of Columbia which does not in the least or in any - manner whatever affect any other Grand Lodge in this country - and does not alter or affect the Masonic legal status of the - Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia that Bro. H. C. - Scott is the Grand Master of except using the word "ancient" - of which I am satisfied that the higher court will reverse - the decision of Judge Wright in the matter. - - - - -PRINCE HALL AND HIS ASSOCIATES MADE MASONS WITHOUT ANY CHARTER OR -AUTHORITY. - -According to the statements made and published by the Prince Hall Grand -Lodge of Massachusetts, that from March the 16th, 1775 to 1787, that -African Lodge had no charter of any kind, and still in the face of all -of that we find that Prince Hall, Boston Smith, Thomas Sanderson of -Massachusetts, conferred the degrees of Free Masonry upon certain men -without any charter or without any authority whatever and still they -wish to call themselves regular Masons. - - -CLANDESTINE, SPURIOUS AND UNLAWFUL NATIONAL COMPACT GRAND LODGE OF -MASONS OF NORTH AMERICA THAT WAS ORGANIZED AT BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ON -THE 24th OF JUNE, 1847. - -For many years past a great deal has been said and written about the -establishing of the Irregular and Illegitimate National Compact Grand -Lodge of Masons that was organized without a shadow of Masonic power and -authority in 1847 at Boston, Massachusetts and of all of the absurd and -ridiculous ideas which have ever incorporated itself in the minds of any -man who is a Mason there seems nothing so utterly weak and imbecile as -the doctrine that is advocated by the followers and adherents of that -Clandestine National Compact Grand Lodge which was founded upon -everything that was irregular and clandestine and predicated upon -fiction fables and falsehoods, these and nothing else. - -The numerous statements that have been made and are being made now by -the exponents of the National Compact Grand Lodge purporting to be -genuine and historical, are solely unreliable and cunning inventions of -their own devised for the purpose of misleading the people. - -On the 24th of June, 1847, at Boston, Mass., John T. Hilton, Grand -Master, Henry Harris, William Bruce, of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of -Massachusetts, and James Bird, John G. Bias, James Richmond, of the -African Grand Lodge of North America, with its headquarters at -Philadelphia, Pa., and the Hiram Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, -represented by James Newman, John Anderson, Samuel Brackles, Phillip -Buckhammond and several others from the Hiram Grand Lodge of -Pennsylvania, and from the Boyer Grand Lodge of New York was William H. -Clark, Lewis Hayden, Alexander Elston, together with several others, met -in Boston, Mass., and organized the National Compact Grand Lodge of -North America. They elected John T. Hilton, of Boston, Mass., National -Grand Master, and William E. Ambush was elected National Grand -Secretary. This National Compact Grand Lodge of North America has done -nothing but breed dissension among Colored Masons in the United States. - -From its earliest period of existence down to the present date, and it -has never been recognized as a regular and legal Masonic Grand Body and -never will as long as intelligent men have their right senses about -them. - - -THE GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND HAS NEVER RECOGNIZED THE PRINCE HALL GRAND -LODGE OF MASSACHUSETTS. - -If it was true that the Grand Lodge of England granted a charter to -African Lodge No. 459 at Boston, Mass., on Sept. 29th, 1784, and this -same African Lodge organized the African Grand Lodge of Modern Masons of -Massachusetts on the 24th of June, 1791, which now is the Prince Hall -Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, what was the matter or cause and reason -that the Grand Lodge of England has failed and refused to recognize the -Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts? - -It must be self apparent to every intelligent Mason that it shows and -proves conclusively that the Grand Lodge of England never did grant a -Charter to African Lodge No. 459 at Boston, Mass., as the leaders of the -Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts would try to have you believe. -Who in the world ever heard of a Grand Lodge granting a charter to a -Subordinate Lodge and then refusing to recognize the very Lodge that the -Grand Lodge granted them a charter? It is the most ridiculous and absurd -statement I ever beard of. It certainly shows that the Grand Lodge of -England never at all granted a charter to African Lodge No. 459. On the -29th of Sept., 1784, and the officers of the Grand Lodge of England say -that they did not and all the talk about a commission having been -granted to Prince Hall as a Provincial Grand Master in America by the -Grand Lodge of England stamps the whole thing from beginning to the end -as a manufactured statement, a fraud and a sham. - - -TWO WHITE MASONIC GRAND LODGES IN ENGLAND, ONE ORGANIZED IN 926 AND THE -OTHER ORGANIZED IN 1739. - -The first Grand Lodge organized among the White Masons of England was -organized at the City of York, England, in the year of 926, and the -second White Grand Lodge of England was organized at London, England, in -the year of 1739. See Mackey's Encyclopedia of Masonry; see Mitchell's -History of Freemasonry; see the Voice of Freemasonry published in -Chicago in the month of June, 1867. The members that composed the second -White Grand Lodge of England when it was organized in 1739 was made up -of expelled Masons from the first Grand Lodge of England that was -organized in the year of 926, and the second irregular and unlawful -Grand Lodge of England that was organized at London, England, in the -year of 1739 is the same Grand Lodge. R. Holt was Deputy Grand Master, -and William White was the Grand Secretary, and it was from this second -irregular and unlawful Grand Lodge of England that the African Lodge No. -459 claims that they secured their charter from. - -In all fairness if the Grand Lodge of England granted a charter to -African Lodge No. 459 at Boston, Mass., it being a clandestine Grand -Lodge, it would follow beyond all dispute that African Lodge No. 459 at -Boston, Mass., was unlawful and clandestine Lodge. Although the Grand -Lodge of England has said they did not grant any charter to African -Lodge at Boston, Mass. - - -PRINCE HALL GRAND LODGE OF MASSACHUSETTS HAS NEVER PRESENTED OR SHOWED -THE CHARTER OF AFRICAN LODGE, TO ANY PERSON. - -For many years the members of the Masonic fraternity have asked to see -the charter of African Lodge No. 459. That Prince Hall Grand Lodge -members of Massachusetts say that they had in their possession, and when -committees after committees have called and asked for to see it they -have been denied the opportunity and that one time they said in Boston, -Mass., to the committee that the charter had been destroyed by fire, and -another time they told the committee that they could not find the -charter. Don't you think and believe that if they had a charter for -African Lodge in Massachusetts that they would have that historical -Lodge on their roll in their printed proceedings? If you can find the -name of African Lodge in any of the Masonic printed proceedings of the -Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts it is more than any body else -can find. See and read the printed Masonic proceedings of the Prince -Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, and see if you can find the name of -African Lodge printed there? - - -PRINCE HALL GRAND LODGE OF MASSACHUSETTS IS NOT RECOGNIZED BY THE GRAND -LODGE OF ENGLAND. - - Bro. John G. Jones, 33, - Grand Master of Masons of Illinois, - London, Eng., Dec. 20th, 1907. - - Dear Sir and Brother--We have remained here in London, England, - longer than we intended to, and since writing to you I have made a - visit to Dublin, Ireland. A large number of people in Dublin, - Ireland, are doing fairly well, but from time to time there is a - large number of people there leaving and going to United States. The - other day I went to the Masonic headquarters here in London, - England, to find out and investigate for myself if the Grand Lodge - of England recognized the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts - as I had always heard that our Masonry in America among Colored - people came from Grand Lodge of England and the officials of the - Grand Lodge of England who were very courteous to me took the - occasion to inform me that the Grand Lodge of England does not - recognize or affiliate with the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of - Massachusetts. How is that Bro. Jones, that some of the Colored - Masons keep saying in America that they got their charter from the - Grand Lodge of England, when the Grand Lodge of England says that - they do not recognize the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, - and it was at Boston, Mass., that the Colored Masons in - Massachusetts have stated that they got a charter for a Lodge from - the Grand Lodge of England? - - I want nothing more to do with any of the members that belong to the - Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. Our Colored brethren in - United States should be informed about this matter. - - Yours Fraternally, H. S. COLLINS, 33. - - -THIS IS WHAT MAKES THE PRINCE HALL GRAND LODGE OF MASSACHUSETTS SPURIOUS -AND CLANDESTINE. - -1--Prince Hall, Boston Smith, Thomas Sanderson and their associates of -Boston, Mass., could not have been made Master Masons in a Lodge in -General Gages Military Regiment on the 6th day of March, 1775, at -Boston, Mass., for General Gages Military Regiment was not in the United -States at that time. - -2--Prince Hall of Boston, Mass., never was appointed provincial Grand -Master in the United States by the Grand Lodge of England. - -3--The Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts having connected itself -with the spurious National Compact Grand Lodge of North America in 1847 -surrendered all of its rights if it had any as a Grand Lodge. - -4--The White Masonic Grand Lodge of England that African Lodge No. 459 -obtained a charter from was a clandestine and unlawful Grand Lodge of -Modern Masons in England. - -5--The Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts styles themselves as -Modern Masons and Modern Masons are those Masons who refused to follow -and adhere to the ancient laws, rules and regulations and the landmarks -of Freemasonry. Those Modern Masons are Masonic innovators. - - JOHN G. JONES, 33. - Grand Master of Masons of Illinois. - - -EXTRACTS FROM THE PROCEEDINGS AND SOME OF THE DECISIONS OF THE VARIOUS -MASONIC CONGRESSES AND NATIONAL MASONIC CONVENTION HELD AMONG THE -COLORED MASONS IN THE UNITED STATES SINCE AUGUST 11th, 1820. - - Chicago, Ill., April 8, 1908. - -To All Whom This May Concern, Greeting: - -The management of the International Masonic Bureau of Information of the -world wishes to state that we have devoted much time and labor in -collecting this much needed information which gives the time and place -as well as the decisions and also a brief account of the proceedings of -the various general Masonic congresses and National Masonic Convention -that has been held among the Colored Masons in the United States of -America since June 11th, 1820. - - -THE FIRST NATIONAL CONVENTION OF COLORED MASONS OF UNITED STATES HELD -JUNE 11th, 1820, AT PHILADELPHIA, PA. - -A resolution was adopted recommending to the Grand Lodges that it was -unlawful and un-Masonic for any subordinate Lodge or Grand Lodge to -meddle with the degrees of Royal Arch Masons. - -The convention after some other Masonic discussions adjourned. - - -SECOND NATIONAL CONVENTION OF COLORED MASONS IN THE UNITED STATES HELD -AT BOSTON, MASS., JUNE 24th, 1847. - -John T. Hilton, Wm, A. Bruce, Henry Harris of the Prince Hall Grand -Lodge of Massachusetts, James Richmond, James Bird, Samuel Van Brackle, -Phillip Buchanan, John Anderson, James Powell of Pennsylvania, and -Alexander Elston, Wm. H. Clark of New York issued a call for National -Masonic Convention to meet in Boston, Mass., June the 24th, 1847, and it -was agreed and they did organize the National Compact Grand Lodge of -North America. John T. Hilton of Boston, Mass., was elected M. W. N. -Grand Master Wm. E. Ambush was elected National Grand Secretary. This -National Grand Lodge of North America adopted a constitution claiming -and exercising power and authority over every Grand Lodge of Masons in -each state in the United States and Canada. - -This National Compact Grand Lodge in violation of all Masonic law -proceeded to issue charters to Grand Lodges in the United States which -was a Masonic law and rule that they adopted that was unheard of among -Masons of any nationality in any country or any land. This National -Compact Grand Lodge sowed the seed of discord and dissension among -Colored Masons in this country whose record has covered one of the -blackest pages in Masonic history. This National Compact Grand Lodge -continued to meet and elect officers for some years thereafter placing -heavy assessments upon subordinate Lodges and Grand Lodges throughout -the country. - - -THIRD NATIONAL CONVENTION OF COLORED MASONS HELD IN UNITED STATES WAS AT -NEW YORK CITY OCT. 12th, 1848. - -James Barnett, Jacob Gibbs and several others of New York State called a -National Masonic Convention to meet in New York City, Oct. 12, 1848. -James Barnett was elected president of the convention. - -Arnold Hicks offered a series of resolutions which was adopted bitterly -denouncing the National Compact Grand Lodge of North America that was -organized at Boston, Mass., June 24th, 1847. He claimed that the whole -National Compact Grand Lodge was a fraudulent and unlawful organization. - -Chas. Hooten offered a resolution which was adopted that the -organization of African Grand Lodge of Modern Masons of Massachusetts, -June the 24th, 1791, at Boston, Mass., with only one Lodge that such -Grand Lodge was irregular and unlawful. - -The Grand Lodge representative system was discussed and properly -outlined in the convention and each Grand Lodge was requested to follow -the same by an exchange of Grand representatives with each Grand Lodge. - -A resolution was also adopted and the convention decided that the -Masonic law watch had been strictly adhered to by all regular Masons -that whenever a Grand Lodge for a State was organized that it required -not less than three warranted Lodges to assemble in a Masonic convention -for that purpose. - - -FOURTH NATIONAL CONVENTION OF COLORED MASONS OF UNITED STATES WAS HELD -AT LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS, JULY 10th, 1869. - -Frank Caldwell offered a resolution to the effect which was adopted that -it is the sense of this convention that the establishing of Freemasonry -among Colored Masons in the United States at Boston, Mass., was -unauthorized and irregular and that the pretending of the organization -of African Grand Lodge of Modern Masons of Boston, Mass., June the 24th, -1791, was unwarranted and clandestine. - - -THE FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF COLORED MASONS OF UNITED STATES WHICH -CONVENED IN CHICAGO, AUGUST 10th, 1872. - -A resolution was offered by W. R. Lawton and adopted that a committee of -five (5) be appointed by the president of this congress to investigate -the correct origin and genuineness of Freemasonry among the Colored -Masons in the United States at Boston, Mass. - -President W. C. H. Curtis appointed on the committee W. R. Lawton, of -Missouri, John G. Jones of Chicago, B. F. Rogers of Springfield, Ill., -Jos. H. Banks of Providence, R. I., H. D. Vena of Detroit, Mich. - -To the President and Members of the General Masonic Congress: - -The undersigned committee that was appointed to investigate the origin -and the legal conditions of Freemasonry among our race in the State of -Massachusetts now submit their report. Your committee wishes to be -understood that we have taken considerable time in a thorough -examination of the matter and we have searched diligently to ascertain -the truth regardless of whom it may please or displease. - -1--We find that the establishing of the African Grand Lodge of Modern -Masons in Massachusetts among the Colored men on June the 24th, 1791, at -Boston, Mass., that the whole work was irregular, unlawful and contrary -to Masonic law. - -The names of the Grand officers that were elected at the organization of -this spurious and irregular African Grand Lodge of Modern Masons of -Massachusetts on June 24th, 1791, was as follows: - -Prince Hall Grand Master, Nero Prince, Deputy Grand Master, Cyrus -Forbes, Grand Secretary, Peter Best, Grand Treasurer. - -2--Your committee have investigated and made searching inquiry to find -who took part in the organization of the African Grand Lodge of Modern -Masons among the colored Masons at Boston, Mass., on June the 24th, -1791, and it appears from the records as well as the delegates from -Massachusetts who admit and confirm the same that there was only one -Lodge and that was African Lodge No. 459 that participated in the -organization of the African Grand Lodge of Modern Masons that was -organized June 24th, 1791, at Boston, Mass., such organization of the -Grand Lodge is in open violation of Masonic laws and we cannot indorse -or approve the same. - -Your committee finds according to the statements of the delegates from -Massachusetts that since the time of the organization of the African -Grand Lodge of Modern Masons in the State of Massachusetts which -occurred June 24th, 1791, that no steps or effort had been made or -taken by the officers and members of the African Grand Lodge of Modern -Masons of Massachusetts to have said Grand Lodge Masonically legalized -and set right. - -Your committee is wholly unable to find or secure any genuine -information that even a charter was ever granted by the Grand Lodge of -England for the establishing of African Lodge No. 459 at Boston, Mass. - -Your committee has investigated various printed proceedings of the -African Grand Lodge of Massachusetts which name was changed in the year -of 1808 to the name of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, and -we cannot find the name of African Lodge No. 459 printed in any of the -Grand Lodge proceedings of Massachusetts. - -Your committee is unable to find or be placed in the possession of any -genuine information that would lead the committee to believe that there -was ever a charter granted by the Grand Lodge of England to Prince Hall -and his associates at Boston, Mass. - -Your committee finds further that the so-often repeated statement made -by some of the less informed brothers of our race that the color line -and prejudice had been the cause in the State of Massachusetts and other -places throughout the country and especially in the northern states in -the refusal of some of the White Grand Lodges of Masons in denying us -recognition was not based on account of color but it was predicated -solely upon the grounds that the origin of Freemasonry among the Colored -Masons in the State of Massachusetts was unlawful and irregular. - - Committee: - JOHN G. JONES, of Illinois, - W. R. LAWTON, of Missouri, - B. F. ROGERS, of Illinois, - H. D. VENA, of Michigan, - J. H. BANKS, of Rhode Island. - -The above named committee report was adopted forty-one to ten. - - -THE SIXTH NATIONAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF COLORED MASONS OF THE UNITED -STATES WAS HELD AT OMAHA, NEB., MAY THE 10th, 1874 - -The Sixth National General Assembly of Colored Masons of the United -States convened at Omaha, Neb., May the 10th., 1874. Delegates were -present from the States of Pennsylvania, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, -Michigan, Tennessee, Missouri, Colorado, New York and Kansas. John G. -Jones of Chicago was elected president of the congress. E. R. Overall of -Omaha, was elected secretary. - -Wm. D. Mathews, Grand Master of King Solomon Grand Lodge, of Kansas, -applied for admission to the convention and was refused on the grounds -that his Grand Lodge was irregular and clandestine. - - -THE MOTHER OF ALL THE COMPACT AND STATE RITES IN THE UNITED STATES. - -Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts Colored Masons, Spurious -Followers in New York State Come to Grief. - -A case has been decided in the law court at Charlotte, New York State -that has created intense interest in the Masonic circles among Colored -Masons in several of the States last week, and the Colored Grand Lodge -of New York, which was first started some years ago by the Prince Hall -Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, met an overwhelming defeat and was routed -at every point. The Grand Lodge of the State of New York commenced a law -suit at Charlotte, N. Y., against several Masons representing the Hiram -Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of -Pennsylvania to prevent them from organizing lodges in the State of New -York under the authority of the Hiram Grand Lodge of the State of -Pennsylvania. The case came up before Judge Laverty and was bitterly -contested, and after an argument of a whole day by counsel representing -both sides Judge Laverty rendered his decision that after investigating -the matter thoroughly that the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts -that was organized many years ago, was an illegal and irregular Grand -Body, and that the Grand Lodge in the State or New York having had -lodges established in New York State that organized lodges from the -Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts that established the Grand -Lodge of New York that it was an unlawful Grand Lodge, and that the -Hiram Grand Lodge of Colored Masons of the State of Pennsylvania was a -lawful and regular Grand Body. The Hiram Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania was -organized formerly of chartered lodges from the Grand Lodge of the -District of Columbia. - -And the M. W. Grand Lodge A. F. and A. M. of the District of Columbia, -held her warrant of constitution, power and authority from the White -Grand Lodge Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the Republic of Romania, -Germany. - -This warrant was granted to Hon. H. C. Scott 33 degree G. M. in 1895, he -was the first and only Colored man in the United States of America to -ever receive a lawful and regular warrant from any White Grand Lodge of -Masons of foreign jurisdiction, and is now healing and setting -Masonically right the Colored Masons in the United States of America. - -What have the so-called State Rites got to say about this verdict, -coming from the mouth of such an able jurist of the Empire State. Our -people have been and are being robbed out of thousands of dollars by -these bogus Masons in this and other States. - -Done at Masonic headquarters this first day of December, 1908. San -Antonio, Texas. - -Ninth Question--What is meant by the word and title of A. F. & A. Y. -Masons? - -Ninth Answer--A. F. & A. Y. Masons means Ancient, Free and Accepted York -Masons, the city of York is in the north part of England, it is -celebrated for its traditional connection with Freemasonry in England. -The first charter granted in England to the Masons as a body was by -authority and power of King Athelstan, in the year of 926 at York, -England, and the application was made by Prince Edwin and Prince Edwin -summoned all the Masons in England to meet him in congregation at the -City of York, England, and from this assemblage of Masons at York the -letter "Y" originated. Prince Edward was elected Grand Master of the -Grand Lodge that was organized at York, England, in 926. From the -commencement of 926 of the assembly of Masons at York the letter "Y" -commenced, and has been known among members of the Masonic fraternity -and at the establishing of the Grand Lodge at York, England, in the year -926 they adopted a constitution and general regulation for the craft. - -Prince Edwin, the brother of King Athelstan of England was an eminent -and distinguished Mason and King Athelstan was the grandson of King -Alfred the first anointed King of England who translated the Holy Bible -into the Saxon language. - -The Grand Lodge that was established in York, England, in 926 prospered -and flourished. The City of York, England, was the seat of Masonic -government of the craft in England. - - -FREEMASONRY FIRST ORGANIZED IN THE STATE OF TEXAS ON APRIL THE 10th, -1873, AT AUSTIN, TEXAS. - -Tenth Question--When was Freemasonry first established in the State of -Texas among Colored men? As there have been a great deal of controversy -about the matter, inasmuch as some person have fixed it one place and -some have fixed it another place, let us see who is right? - -Tenth Answer--The first Lodge of Colored Masons organized in the State -of Texas was at Austin, Texas, April 10th, 1873, the name of the Lodge -was Mount Bonnell Lodge, it was instituted and chartered by the -notorious self-constituted clandestine King Solomon Grand Lodge of the -State of Kansas that Wm. D. Mathews was the Grand Master of, and all -Masonic students and all Masonic authors in the United States have said -time after time that the King Solomon Grand Lodge of Kansas was a bogus -Grand Lodge. Sometime after Mount Bonnell Lodge was organized at Austin, -Texas. A Lodge was organized at San Antonio, Texas, and Houston, Texas, -and Galveston, Texas, all these Lodges were established by the spurious -King Solomon Grand Lodge of Kansas. And it appears from the records and -a circular issued by the King Solomon Grand Lodge of Kansas that at the -time the convention was held to organize a Grand Lodge for the State of -Texas that the Lodge at San Antonio, Texas, and the lodge at Houston -Texas, was only working under a dispensation from the Grand Lodge of -Kansas, and only a few years ago I held a conversation myself with Wm. -D. Mathews, Grand Master of the King Solomon Grand Lodge of Kansas and -he stated to me that at the time the Grand Lodge of Texas was organized -that there was only one Lodge and that was Mount Bonnell Lodge at -Austin, Texas, that was in good Masonic standing and that Saint John's -Lodge at Galveston, Texas, and the Lodge at San Antonio, Texas, and the -Lodge at Houston, Texas had been suspended by the Grand Lodge of Kansas -for un-Masonic conduct and that the dispensation to three of these -Lodges had been revoked by him as Grand Master of the King Solomon Grand -Lodge of State of Kansas and in support of that the King Solomon Grand -Lodge of Kansas refused to recognize and hold any Masonic intercourse or -affiliation with the Grand Lodge of Texas. That matter came up and was -discussed at the National Masonic Convention held in the city of -Chicago, Sept. 4th, 5th, 6th, 1877. - -Eleventh Question--When was the Grand Lodge of Texas organized? - -Eleventh Answer--A convention of delegates for the purpose of arranging -to organize a Grand Lodge of Texas was held at Brenham, Texas, Aug. -19th, 1874, and after some considerable discussion the convention -adjourned to meet at Houston, Texas, Jan. 19th, 1875, at Houston, Texas, -the so-called Grand Lodge of Texas was organized Jan. 19th, 1875, N. W. -Cuney was elected Grand Master and J. J. Hamilton was elected Grand -Secretary so it will be seen that Freemasonry in the State of Texas was -established in a clandestine manner by the compact King Solomon Grand -Lodge of Kansas. - -Twelfth Question--Did the Grand Lodge of Texas work under the National -Compact Grand Lodge of North America and affiliate with it? - -Twelfth Answer--It appears from the records that the so-called Grand -Lodge of the State of Texas took out a charter and worked under the -bogus National Compact Grand Lodge of North America and affiliated with -it and this same Grand Lodge of Texas now affiliates and recognizes such -bogus Grand Lodges as the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, and -the notorious Compact Grand Lodge of Illinois whose records for -irregularity and spurious Masonic work have no equal in any part of the -world. - -Thirteenth Question--Has the so-called Grand Lodge of Texas that J. W. -McKinney is the Grand Master of since it was instituted in an unlawful -and irregular manner, has it ever been Masonically legalized by any -Grand Lodge of Masons in the whole world, if so let them state what -Grand Lodge it was, when it was, and where at, that question has been -propounded to them time after time and they have refused to answer it -and in as much as they have refused to answer it, it must be taken and -accepted as being unlawful and a bogus Grand Lodge let me have your -opinion about the matter? - -Thirteenth Answer--I have called upon the leaders of the so-called Grand -Lodge of the State of Texas that is managed and controlled by J. W. -McKinney and his followers in the State of Texas to name the time and -place if they could, if their Grand Lodge was ever Masonically legalized -and set Masonically right by any legitimate Grand Lodge in the world. -And they have failed and refused to give the name, time or place when -the Masonic Grand Lodge of Texas was ever Masonically legalized by any -legitimate Grand Lodge in the country and they have failed to do that, -they are certainly designated as an unlawful and clandestine Compact -Grand Lodge. They were established in an irregular manner and are -unlawful and bogus from their inception down to the present day and the -most of the leaders of the Compact Grand Lodge in the State of Texas are -the largest falsifiers, and liars and Masonic innovators that have ever -held their hands up toward heaven and as for the truth, for any -statement that they might make I would just as soon believe one of them -over a spelling book as a Bible. - -[Illustration: - - J. F. Van Duzor, 33 deg. - Grand Secretary - M. W. King Solomon Grand Lodge - A. F. & A. M. Jurisdiction of Texas.] - - -KING SOLOMON GRAND LODGE OF KANSAS ORGANIZED JUNE 24th, 1867. - -Fourteenth Question--When was the King Solomon Grand Lodge of Kansas -that Wm. D. Mathews was Grand Master, when was it organized in the State -of Kansas, and whereat, and did this King Solomon Grand Lodge in Kansas -take out a charter and work under the National Compact Grand Lodge of -North America, give me all the facts and information that you have at -hand relative to that matter? - -Fourteenth Answer--When the King Solomon Grand Lodge of Kansas was -organized June 24th, 1867, at Leavenworth, Kansas, it was accepted and -stated by most every Colored Mason in the United States that knew -anything about the matter that this King Solomon Grand Lodge of Kansas -was organized and proclaimed to be a Grand Lodge by Wm. D. Mathews and -his followers in the State of Kansas with only one Lodge and nobody -knows whether or not even that Lodge was a chartered Lodge. It was said -however that this one Masonic Lodge that proclaimed itself and organized -the King Solomon Grand Lodge of Kansas that it secured a charter from -the Compact Grand Lodge of the State of New York and at the time the -King Solomon Grand Lodge of Kansas was organized with only one -subordinate Lodge composed of a membership of eleven members. June 24th, -1867, at Leavenworth, Kansas, it took out a warrant of authority from -the National Compact Grand Lodge of North America that was organized in -the State of Massachusetts on the 24th day of June, 1847, for it must be -admitted by all well informed Masons that Massachusetts was the hotbed -and the Masonic factory where all kinds of Masonic degrees were -manufactured and all sorts and kinds of Masonic Lodges and Grand Lodges -and a spurious National Grand Lodge of North America was organized to -suit the time and conveniences of those that wished to secure and gain -high sounding Masonic titles regardless as to whether it was right or -wrong. If you have any doubt about the matter I herewith present a copy -of the warrant that was issued to the King Solomon Grand Lodge of Kansas -by that irregular and self-constituted National Compact Grand Lodge of -North America whose record has covered the very blackest page in Masonic -history among the colored Masons in this country. - - -THE WARRANT OF THE MOST WORSHIPFUL KING SOLOMON GRAND LODGE FOR THE -STATE OF KANSAS. - -To all whom it may concern: - -The Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and -honorable fraternity of Free and Accepted Ancient York Masons of the -United States of North America, according to the old constitution at -York in the kingdom of England duly established and organized for the -said United States according to the resolutions and by the authority of -a Grand Convention held in the city of Boston, the State of -Massachusetts on the 24th, 25th, 26th and 28th day of June, A. D., 1847; -A. L. 5847. - - -WISDOM, STRENGTH, FRATERNITY. - -Whereas, A petition bearing date, June 24th, A. D., 1867, was -represented and presented in the name of Wm. D. Mathews and others -praying the grant of a charter of Constitution and erection in the usual -form for holding a Grand Lodge in the State of Kansas under the name and -title of the Most Worshipful King Solomon Grand Lodge for the State of -Kansas and under the authority of the Most Worshipful National Grand -Lodge of the United States and North America, proposing the persons -after mentioned to be the first grand officers, viz: Wm. D. Mathews, -Leavenworth, Kansas, Grand Master, Geo. Edwards, Deputy Grand Master, -Samuel Jones, Senior Grand Warden, Henry Lee, Junior Grand Warden, -together with their associates which petition having been duly -considered, we are pleased to ordain a charter, to be issued in the -terms herein written. - -Know Ye, therefore, That the Most Worshipful National Grand Master and -the National Grand Lodge of North America have constituted, erected and -appointed likewise, they hereby constitute, erect, and appoint the Grand -Master, Grand Wardens and brethren above named to be now and in all -times coming a true and regular Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons -for the State of Kansas under the name, style and title of the Most -Worshipful King Solomon Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Ancient York -Masons for the State of Kansas. And we do hereby authorize and empower -our Worshipful and beloved Brethren and their successors in office to -constitute by Charter, or organize by dispensation subordinate Lodges -within the State of Kansas and its jurisdiction, according to the -Constitution of Masonry and of the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge -of North America, upon the payment of such fees as may be determined by -the said Most Worshipful Grand Lodge; also to make choice of a Grand -Master, Deputy Grand Master, Grand Wardens and other Grand Officers -annually to receive and collect funds for the support of the Most -Worshipful King Solomon Grand Lodge of Kansas, and for the payment of -such sums of money as may be assessed by the Constitution and -regulations of the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge. - -And we do further authorize and empower the said constituted brethren -and their successors to have and determined all and singular matters and -things relating to the craft within their jurisdiction with the -assistance of the members of the said Grand Lodge subject to an appeal -to the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of North America and shall -possess and exercise all the power and function of a State Grand Lodge -and we do hereby require the said constituted brethren to attend the -Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of North America at their triennial -communication and other meetings by their Grand Master, Deputy Grand -Master and Grand Wardens, or by proxy regularly appointed; also to keep -a fair and regular record of your proceedings in a book to be kept for -that purpose and we do enjoin upon the officers and brethren of said -Grand Lodge that they be punctual in their payments of such sums of -money as may be assessed on them by the National Grand Lodge of North -America, and to make regular returns annually to the National Grand -Secretary or to the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of the names -and members of all the Lodges under the jurisdiction of said Grand Lodge -where located, of the suspensions, expulsions and the Charters -surrendered; also the number of members belonging to each Subordinate -Lodge and of the election and installation of the officers of the Grand -Lodge. - -And we do hereby declare that the proceedings of said Grand Lodge in -National Grand Lodge to commence from the 24th day of June Anno Domini, -One Thousand Eight Hundred and Sixty-seven; and lastly do we hereby -authorize and empower our said Worshipful Brother Wm. D. Mathews and his -associates in office to install their successors being first duly -elected and chosen to whom they shall deliver this warrant and invest -them with all the power and dignities to their offices respectfully -belonging and such successors shall in like manner from time to time -install their successors, such installation to be upon or near St. John -the Evangelist or St. John the Baptist's day, during the continuance of -this Grand Lodge for ever provided always that the said above named -Worshipful Brothers and their successors pay due respect to the Most -Worshipful National Grand Lodge of North America, and the ordinance -thereof; otherwise this warrant to be of no force or virtue. - -Given by the authority of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of North -America, under the signatures of the Most Worshipful National Grand -Officers and the Seal of the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of -North America, this 24th day of June Anno Domini, One Thousand Eight -Hundred and Sixty-seven. - - Richard Howell Gleaves, M. W. N. G. M. - Jonathan Davis, M. W. N. G. S. - - -THE NATIONAL COMPACT GRAND LODGE OF NORTH AMERICA ORGANIZED AT BOSTON, -MASS., JUNE 24th, 1847. - -Fifteenth Question--In as much as there has been considerable discussion -and controversy going on through the country for a number of years, -relative to when the National Compact Grand Lodge of North America was -organized and where at, and whether or not it was considered irregular -and unlawful or whether it was a legitimate body, those questions have -been asked for a number of years. - -Fifteenth Answer--Mackey's Masonic jurisprudence and all of the Masonic -authors on Masonic law have laid down the well established rule that has -been recognized in the United States of America ever since Freemasonry -was first established in this country, that there cannot be any higher -or Supreme power than a Grand Lodge of a state. And the spurious -National Compact Grand Lodge of North America is an unauthorized and -clandestine body. It was organized in Boston, Mass., on the 24th of -June, 1847, it has been a disgrace and a burning shame and a slander -upon the Colored Masons of this country ever since it was first -organized. The National Compact Grand Lodge of North America that was -established at Boston, Mass., on the 24th of June, 1847, is a self -constituted, bogus, counterfeit grand body, and any Grand Lodge or -Subordinate Lodge in the United States of America that affiliates or -recognizes it is clandestine and bogus. - -Sixteenth Question--When the Grand Lodge of Texas was organized at -Houston, Texas, Jan. 19th, 1875, that J. W. McKinney is now the Grand -Master of, did that Grand Lodge have a Charter from the Bogus National -Compact Grand Lodge of North America? - -Sixteenth Answer--Yes they did, and looking over the records of the -National Grand Lodge of North America that was organized at Boston, -Mass., in 1847, which was a bogus concern. Here is a copy of the Charter -that was issued to the Grand Lodge of Texas in 1875 by the Spurious -National Compact Grand Lodge of North America. - - -THE WARRANT OF THE MOST WORSHIPFUL COMPACT GRAND LODGE OF FREE AND -ACCEPTED YORK MASONS FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS. - -To All Whom It May Concern: - -The Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and -honorable fraternity of Free and Accepted Ancient York Masons of the -United States of North America, according to the old constitution at -York in the kingdom of England duly established and organized for the -said Convention held in the city of Boston, the State of Massachusetts -on the 24th, 25th, 26th and 28th day of June, A. D., 1847; A. L. 5847. - -Whereas a petition bearing date Jan. 19th, 1875, was represented and -presented in the name of N. W. Cuney and others from the State of Texas -praying the grant of a Charter of Constitution in the usual form for -holding a Grand Lodge in the State of Texas under the name and title of -the Most Worshipful Compact Grand Lodge for the State of Texas, and -under the authority of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the United -States and North America proposing the persons hereafter mentioned to be -the first Grand Master and the first Grand Secretary viz: N. W. Cuney of -Galveston, Texas Grand Master, J. J. Hamilton Grand Secretary together -with their associates which petition having been duly considered we are -pleased to ordain a Charter to be issued in the terms herein written. - -Know Ye, therefore, that the Most Worshipful National Grand Master and -the National Grand Lodge of North America have constituted, erected and -appointed likewise, they do hereby constitute, erect and appoint the -Grand Master and Grand Wardens, and brethren to be now and in all times -coming a Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted York Masons for the State of -Texas, and we do hereby authorize and empower our worthy and beloved -brethren and their successors in office to constitute by charter or -organize Lodges within the State of Texas according to the constitution -of the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of North America duly -constituted on the 24th day of June, 1847, at Boston, Mass., and comply -with the rules and regulations and the payment of such sums of money as -be assessed by the Constitution and regulation of the Most Worshipful -National Grand Lodge of North America. - -And we do further authorize and empower the said constituted brethren -and their successors to have and determined all and singular matters and -things relating to the craft within their jurisdiction with the -assistance of the members of the said Grand Lodge subject to an appeal -to the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of North America and shall -possess and exercise all the power and function of a State Grand Lodge -and we do hereby require the said constituted brethren to attend the -Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of North America at their triennial -communication and other meetings by their Grand Master, Deputy Grand -Master and Grand Wardens or by proxy regularly appointed; also to keep a -fair and regular record of your proceedings in a book to be kept for -that purpose and we do enjoin upon the officers and brethren of said -Grand Lodge in the State of Texas that they be punctual in their -payments of such sums of money as may be assessed on them by this -National Compact Grand Lodge of North America and to make regular -returns annually to the National Grand Secretary or to the Most -Worshipful National Grand Lodge. - -And we do hereby declare that the proceedings of said Grand Lodge in the -State of Texas by which brother N. W. Cuney is the Grand Master of to -commence from Jan. 19th, 1875, and we do hereby authorize and empower -our said Worshipful Brother N. W. Cuney of Galveston, Texas, and his -associates in office to install their successors first being duly -elected and chosen to whom they shall deliver this warrant and invest -them with all the powers and dignities to their offices respectfully -belonging and such successors shall like manner from time to time -install their successors, such installation to be upon or near the St. -John the Evangelist or St. John the Baptist's day during the continuance -of this Grand Lodge. - -Given by the authority of the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of -North America under the signature of the Most Worshipful National Grand -Master of the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of North America this -19th day of Jan. 1875. - - Richard Howell Cleaves, M. W. N. G. M. - -Seventeenth Question--Did you ever have any correspondence with Wm. D. -Mathews, Grand Master of the Compact Grand Lodge of the State of Kansas -relative to the organization of the so-called Grand Lodge of the State -of Texas that was organized Jan. 19th, 1875? - -Seventeenth Answer--Yes, I had some correspondence with Wm. D. Mathews, -Grand Master of the King Solomon Grand Lodge of the State of Kansas -relative to the subordinate Lodges that took part in the organization of -the Grand Lodge of Texas, Jan. 19th, 1875. That was the time that the -Grand Lodge of Texas was organized when N. W. Cuney of Galveston, Texas, -was elected Grand Master. - - - Leavenworth, Kan., Nov. 21, 1903. - - Mr. John G. Jones, 33, - - Grand Secretary of the M. W. St. Johns Grand Lodge of Illinois, - - Dear Sir and Bro--Your letter reached me last week at my home in - Leavenworth, Kan., and in giving you the information that you desire - the Lodge at Austin, Texas, was the first Lodge of Colored Masons - organized among the Colored men in the State of Texas, it was on - April 10th, 1873, it was chartered by the Most Worshipful King - Solomon Grand Lodge of Kansas of which I have the honor of being its - Grand Master. That was the only Lodge that was in good Masonic - standing in our Grand Lodge when the Grand Lodge of the State of - Texas was organized. The Lodge at San Antonio, Galveston, and - Houston Texas was also chartered by our Grand Lodge of Kansas, but - none of these last named three Lodges was in good and regular - standing in our Grand Lodge. So you will notice that the Grand Lodge - of Texas only had one warranted Lodge when it was established. - - Yours Fraternally, - WM. D. MATHEWS, Grand Master. - - -REPORT ON THE ORIGIN AND THE IRREGULARITY OF FREEMASONRY AMONG COLORED -MEN IN THE STATE OF TEXAS AT THE NATIONAL MASONIC CONVENTION HELD IN -CHICAGO, SEPT., 4th, 1877. - -To the President and Members of the National Masonic Convention now -Sitting in Chicago, Sept. 4th, 1877: - -Your committee that was appointed to investigate the origin of -Freemasonry in the State of Texas beg leave to make the following -report: - -We have carefully investigated the matter of the origin of Freemasonry -in the State of Texas and we find that it appears from the record that -Freemasonry was first established in the State of Texas by Wm. D. -Mathews, Grand Master of the King Solomon Grand Lodge of Compact Masons -for the State of Kansas which at the time the said King Solomon Grand -Lodge of Kansas was under and subordinate to the National Compact Grand -Lodge of North America. - -We further find that the said Grand Lodge of Texas that C. C. Dean is -the Grand Master of that, the said Grand Lodge of Texas, when organized -January 19th, 1875, did not follow and comply with the landmarks and -laws of Freemasonry and that the said Grand Lodge of Texas is an -unlawful and irregular Grand Lodge and that the delegates from the Grand -Lodge of the State of Texas to this National Masonic Convention are not -entitled to seats in this National Masonic Convention, - - Fraternally Submitted, - E. A. WILLIAMS, of Nebraska, - H. D. VENA, of Michigan, - J. H. BANKS, of Rhode Island, Committee. - - -FIRST REGULAR AND LEGAL GRAND LODGE OF COLORED MASONS IN UNITED STATES -AT WASHINGTON, D. C., 1895. - -The first Grand Lodge of Colored Masons in the United States that was -healed and Masonically set right was the Grand Lodge of Colored Masons -of the District of Columbia which H. C. Scott is the Grand Master of. It -occurred in the year of 1895 by the duly accredited representatives from -the White Masonic Grand Lodge of Romania, Germany. - - -VARIOUS GRAND LODGE DECISIONS. - -FIRST LEGAL GRAND LODGE OF COLORED MASONS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, MARCH -19th, 1908. - -The Most Worshipful St. Johns Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. M. Masons of the -State of Illinois established several Subordinate Lodges in the State of -Texas. A Masonic convention was held in the State of Texas by several of -the Subordinate Lodges in the State of Texas on March 19th, 1908, at San -Antonio, Texas, and the Most Worshipful King Solomon Grand Lodge of A. -F. & A. Masons for the State of Texas was organized. Bro. Chas. L. -Mitchell is Grand Master and Bro. J. F. VanDuzor is the Grand Secretary. - - Yours Fraternally, - JOHN G. JONES, 33, - Grand Master of Masons of the State of Illinois. - - -DECISIONS OF MASONIC GRAND LODGES. - -1.--Since the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia has been under the -supervision and control of the Past Grand Master Wm. H. Johnson and the -present Grand Master H. C. Scott of Washington, D. C., the Grand Lodge -has rendered some very important decisions which has been a guide for -many of the Grand Lodges for sometime in the past and will be a guide -and a landmark for many of the Grand Lodges in the future. - -The Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts is Irregular and -clandestine, it was instituted with only one subordinate Lodge. - -The Most Worshipful St. John's Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. Masons of the -State of Illinois that Bro. John G. Jones is the Grand Master of was -lawfully and constitutionally established according to the landmarks and -laws of Freemasonry and is recognized by this Grand Lodge. - -The Most Worshipful King Solomon Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. Masons of the -State of Texas that Bro. Chas. L. Mitchell is Grand Master of has been -regularly and lawfully established and is recognized by this Grand -Lodge. - -The Most Worshipful St. Andrew's Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. Mason of the -State of Louisiana that Wm. T. Grant is the Grand Master of has been -regularly instituted according to the landmarks and laws of Freemasonry -and is recognized by this Grand Lodge. - -The Most Worshipful German Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. Masons of the State -of Alabama that Bro. J. H. McGehee is the Grand Master of has been -lawfully instituted and is recognized by this Grand Lodge. - -The Most Worshipful Wm. T. Grant, Jr., Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. Masons -of the State of Mississippi has been regularly organized and is -recognized by this Grand Lodge. Bro. J. R. Rawlins of Natchez, Miss., is -the Grand Master of. - -The Most Worshipful Hiram Grand Lodge of A. F. A. Masons of the State of -Pennsylvania that Bro. C. R. France is the Grand Master of, has been -instituted in a regular and lawful manner and is recognized by this -Grand Lodge. - -The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the State of Florida that Bro. E. E. -Franklin is the Grand Master of was regularly instituted and is -recognized by us. - -We find the formation of the spurious Grand Lodge of Texas that J. W. -McKinney is the Grand Master of and W. M. McDonald is the Grand -Secretary of, was established in the most extraordinary irregular and -unlawful manner and is with the establishing of the bogus Prince Hall -Grand Lodge of Massachusetts which was only organized with one Lodge. - -The so-called Grand Lodge in the State of Texas which is said to have -been instituted by K. R. Rogers of Austin, Texas, and is known as the -Hiram Tyram Grand Lodge is beyond all question or doubt the most -Clandestine and irregular Masonic Grand Lodge that has ever appeared -upon the Masonic stage of action. It is a Grand Lodge only on paper and -was instituted not in compliance with any of the landmarks or laws of -Freemasonry and is therefore counterfeit and Bogus and is not recognized -by this Grand Lodge. - -This Grand Lodge has carefully examined into the origin of the Compact -Grand Lodge of Masons in the State of Illinois that H. E. Burris, of -Rock Island is the Grand Master, and the notorious R. E. Moore is the -Grand Secretary of, and we find it was instituted with only two -warranted Lodges and a Lodge under dispensation and from the records of -the Grand Lodge of Ohio one of the warranted Lodges that took part in -the convention was at that time not in good standing with the Grand -Lodge of Ohio. See records of the Grand Lodge of Ohio of 1865 and 1866. - -Prince Hall of Massachusetts, a founder of a Spurious and Illegitimate -Masonry, among the Colored Masons in the United States, died at Boston, -Mass., in the year of 1807. - - -COLORED GRAND LODGE OF ALABAMA. - -The Colored Masonic Grand Lodge of the State of Alabama which is named -the German Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. Masons of the State of Alabama in -the year of 1906 at the annual session held at Montgomery, Ala., Bro. -J. H. McGehee, 33, Grand Master, and Bro. G. W. Hill, 32, Grand -Secretary, the Grand Lodge made the following decisions: - -That the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts was organized with -only one Lodge which makes the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts -unlawful clandestine and irregular Grand Lodge. - -It requires not less than three warranted Lodges to assemble in a -Masonic convention and organize a regular Grand Lodge for a State. - -All Masons who are members of Compact Lodges are Bogus, Irregular and -Clandestine, and must not be recognized as Masons anywhere. - -No compact Mason can be admitted in any subordinate Lodge in this State. - - -COLORED MASONIC LODGES OF COLORADO. - -No Supreme Council of Ancient, Accepted Scottish Rite Masons possess any -right or power or authority to confer the degrees of entered apprentice -fellow-craft and Master Masons degree. - -If a commandery of Knights Templars should confer the entered apprentice -fellow-craft and Master Mason's degree it is spurious and unlawful -Masonic work. - - -DECISIONS OF WHITE MASONIC GRAND LODGES. GRAND LODGE OF ARKANSAS. - -The White Masonic Grand Lodge of the State of Arkansas at the annual -session held in 1838 and 1838 rendered the following decision: - -This Grand Lodge will not recognize a Grand Lodge unless it has been -regularly organized by not less than three warranted Lodges. - -GRAND LODGE OF CONNECTICUT. - -The White Grand Lodge of Connecticut was organized July 8th, 1789, the -following is some of the decisions that the Grand Lodge of Connecticut -has rendered: - -One Grand Lodge cannot issue a charter to organize another Grand Lodge. - -The power and the authority to organize a Grand Lodge resides in the -three warranted Lodges that meet in a Masonic convention for that -purpose. - -A regular Grand Lodge of Masons of a state is vested with power and -authority to go in another state and there organize subordinate Lodges -if the Grand Lodge in that state which has been already organized was -organized In an unlawful and irregular manner. - -When a Grand Lodge of a state has been organized in an unlawful Masonic -way and manner it is then considered as no Grand Lodge at all and -another lawful and regular Grand Lodge has the authority and power to -invade such territories and there organize regular subordinate Lodges. - -The White Masonic Grand Lodge of Alabama in the year of 1821 rendered -the following decisions at the session held at Montgomery, Alabama, -Thomas W. Farrar was Grand Master and Thomas A. Rogers was Grand -Secretary. - -A Grand Lodge of a State cannot be regularly organized unless there is -not less than three regularly warranted Lodges. - - -WHITE MASONIC GRAND LODGE OF DELAWARE. - -The Masonic Lodge of the State of Delaware since it was organized on -June the 6th, 1806, has rendered some very important decisions which has -been a guide for many of the Grand Lodges that have been organized since -that time. - -The African Grand Lodge of Colored Masons in the State of Massachusetts -cannot be recognized not because they are Colored Masons but for the -reason that they were unlawfully instituted. They organized a Grand -Lodge with only one Lodge when they should have had not less than -three. - -A regular Grand Lodge must be organized with not less than three -warranted Lodges. - - -THE LIGHT TURNED ON, ON BOGUS MASONRY IN TEXAS. - -The record shows the first Lodges In Texas were organized by Capt. W. D. -Matthews, Grand Master of the King Solomon Compact Grand Lodge of -Kansas, on April 10, 1873, by organizing Mt. Bonnell Lodge No. 1, -Austin, No. 2, San Antonio and No. 3 Houston, No. 4 at Galveston. On the -19th of August, 1875, these four lodges met at Brenham, Texas, and -organized a Compact Grand Lodge with N. W. Cuney as the Grand Master, -and J. J. Hamilton as Grand Secretary. - -Some years after, about 1885, (the record is not clear,) C. C. Dean -succeeded N. W. Cuney as Grand Master. Rev. A. Grant, W. D. G. M., and -in the year 1886 C. C. Dean, G. M. - -Rev. A. Grant, W. D. G. M., called a special session of the Grand Lodge -and at that session declared and adopted the act of Secession from the -National Compact Grand Lodge, elected delegates to go to Houston, Texas, -as special commissioners to meet the Worshipful Grand Lodge of White -Masons for the purpose of being healed and chartered. - -Now, according to the record found in Sayles' Masonic Jurisprudence, on -the History of Negro Masonry in Texas, emphatically states that these -Negro delegates did appear and did present to the White Grand Lodge a -petition to be healed and chartered. - -Sayles does not give the names of the petitioners. The petition sets -forth that there were 650 members at that time, to be healed. - -The record shows that the White Grand Lodge appointed a committee to -investigate the petition, and the record further shows that the -committee made the following report: - -COMMITTEE REPORT ON NEGRO MASONRY IN TEXAS. - -"We your committee find that these 650 so-called Negro Masons are not -Masons, and have no business with us nor about us, neither of us. If -Ephriam is joined to his Idols let him alone." - -Now the record further shows that this Grand Lodge has sent delegates to -the General Masonic Congress on several occasions, and these delegates -were rejected. The first was in Sept. 4th and 5th, 1887, at Chicago. Mr. -Gillett of Kansas, offered the following resolution and it was -unanimously adopted: - -"Whereas, The facts are before this convention that the Grand Lodge of -Texas, Colored, under C. C. Dean as Grand Master, was organized by -subordinate lodges instituted in the State of Texas by W. D. Matthews, -Grand Master of the Compact Grand Lodge of Kansas. - -"Be it Resolved by this convention that the said Grand Lodge of Texas, -above mentioned, is hereby now declared by this convention to be an -unlawful and irregular Grand Lodge, and that this National Masonic -convention will now refuse and neither recognize or admit their -delegates in this convention." - -And similar resolutions were adopted at the General Masonic Congress -that was held in Pittsburgh, Pa., July, 1904. - - -HOW THE MOST WORSHIPFUL KING SOLOMON GRAND LODGE, A. F. & A. M. WAS -ORGANIZED IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. - -The origination of the M. W. King Solomon Grand Lodge, A. F. & A. Masons -which was organized March 19, A. D., 1908, and incorporated under the -laws of the State of Texas, March 27, A. D., 1908, of the following -Lodges, viz: - -Mount Nebo Lodge No. 14, Galveston, Tex., Brackenridge Lodge No. 21, -Excelsior Lodge No. 25, San Antonio, Golden Jewel Lodge No. 23, Taylor; -Eureka Lodge No. 12, Hempstead. - -These (5) five Lodges held their warrant of constitution from the M. W. -St. John Grand Lodge, A. F. & A. M. of the State of Illinois of which -the Hon. John G. Jones, 33rd degree, is Grand Master, and the M. W. St. -John Grand Lodge, A. F. & A. M. held her warrant of constitution from -the M. W. Grand Lodge A. F. & A. M., of Washington, District of -Columbia, of which Hon. H. C. Scott, 33rd degree is Grand Master. This -warrant was granted to Hon. H. C. Scott, 33rd degree Grand Master in the -year 1895. He was the first and only Colored Mason in the United States -of America to ever receive a lawful and regular warrant from any White -Grand Lodge of Masons of foreign jurisdiction, and he is now healing and -setting Masonically right the Colored Masons in the United States of -America. - -According to Masonic law the only lawful and regular Grand Lodge of -Colored Masons in the State of Texas is the Most Worshipful King Solomon -Grand Lodge, A. F. & A. M., which was organized at San Antonio, Texas, -on 19th day of March, A. D., 1908 and lawfully incorporated under the -laws of the State of Texas on the 27th day of March, A. D., 1908, and it -is the only Colored Grand Lodge A. F. & A. M. in the State of Texas that -is recognized by foreign White Masonic jurisdiction of which C. L. -Mitchell, 33rd degree is Grand Master. - - In Reference to the Circular Matter Relative to One John A. Bell - of Grand Rapids, Mich., Claiming to Hold a Warrant of Authority - From the Grand Lodge of Liberia, I Beg Leave to Submit a Copy. - The Original is Now in Possession of the Ill. Capt. W. T. Grant, - M. W. Grandmaster of the M. W. St. Andrews Grand Lodge A. F. & - A. M. of the State of Louisiana, and President of the - International Bureau of Masonic Information of the World. Office - 331 Corondelet St., New Orleans, La. - - Masonic Hall, - Monrovia, Liberia - Oct. 18, 1908. - - Bro. W. T. Grant, - - Grand Master of the M. W. St. Andrew Grand Lodge A. F. & A. M. - State of Louisiana. - - Most Worshipful Brother: I beg to acknowledge the receipt of - your favor of the 29th of August, inquiring if this Grand Lodge - or the Grand Master has a Deputy in the person of John A. Bell - at Grand Rapids, Michigan, and if any authority has been given - him to open a lodge in America. - - In reply, I have to say that this Grand Lodge has no Deputy in - the person of John A. Bell, nor has any warrant been given him - authorising him to open any lodge in America or to do anything - else. If he is doing anything Masonically whatsoever, he does it - without the knowledge, consent and authority of this Grand - Lodge. - - I beg to remain, - Fraternally yours, - A. B. STUBBLEFIELD, - Grand Master of Masons in the Republic of Liberia. - - -CERTIFICATE OF HEALING AND LEGALIZING MASONS AND LODGES IN THE STATE OF -TEXAS MARCH 19th, 1908. - - Chicago, Ill., April 25, 1908. - -To All Whom This May Concern, Greeting: - -Whereas, in the course of Masonic events it becomes necessary for one -regular and legitimate Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. Masons to heal and -Masonically legalize Master Masons and Lodges and a Grand Lodge when the -Masonic degrees have been conferred and Masonic work in subordinate -Lodges has been irregularly and un-Masonically accomplished. - -Whereas, there was a certain number of Masons viz: Chas. L. Mitchell, W. -L. Dorn, J. F. VanDuzor and their associates in the City of San Antonio, -Texas, and Phillip H. Matthews, Simon Smith of Galveston, Texas; Frank -H. Hicks, John Lowery of Taylor, Texas, James F. Harris, Nelson W. Day -of Hempstead, Texas, and several other brethren residing in the various -parts of the State of Texas, having received the degrees of Freemasonry -in an unlawful and irregular and illegitimate manner and, - -Whereas, application having been made by the above named brethren and -their associates in the State of Texas and the Masonic Lodges which the -above named brethren were members of in the State of Texas to the Most -Worshipful St. John's Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. Masons of the State of -Illinois and Masonic jurisdiction to be regularly healed and Masonically -legalized as Master Mason and members of the various warranted Masonic -Lodges in the State of Texas. - -Whereas, the petition of the above named brethren in the State of Texas -having been duly presented and considered in open session of the Most -Worshipful St. John's Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. Masons of the State of -Illinois in special session held in the city of Chicago, Ill., on the -12th of February, 1908, and the prayer of the above named petitioners -was then and there duly considered and unanimously granted. - -Whereas, the Most Worshipful St. John's Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. Masons -of the State of Illinois and Masonic jurisdiction having in open session -duly instructed and empowered the Grand Master of the Most Worshipful -St. John's Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. Masons of the State of Illinois and -Masonic jurisdiction to repair to the State of Texas and there proceed -to heal and Masonically legalize the Lodges and the above named brethren -residing in the State of Texas and to assist them in the formation and -install the officers of the Most Worshipful King Solomon Grand Lodge of -A. F. & A. Masons of the State of Texas. - -Therefore, be it known that I John G. Jones, 33, of the City of Chicago -and State of Illinois and Grand Master of the Most Worshipful St. John's -Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. Masons of the State of Illinois and Masonic -jurisdiction did in the City of San Antonio, Texas, on the 19th of -March, 1908, did then and there under the instructions and authority of -the Most Worshipful St. John's Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. Masons of the -State of Illinois did in said city of San Antonio, Texas, on the 19th of -March 1908, heal, re-obligate and Masonically legalize the above named -brethren who had conferred on them the entered apprentice, fellowcraft -and Master Masons degrees and did Masonically legalize the subordinate -Lodges in the State of Texas and did assist and was present in the -formation of the Most Worshipful King Solomon Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. -Mason of the State of Texas and did install Bro. Chas. L. Mitchell Most -Worshipful Grand Master, and the rest of the brethren as Grand Officers -of the Most Worshipful King Solomon Grand Lodge of Texas according to -the Masonic laws, rules and regulations of the craft. - -And I now do proclaim to the whole Masonic world that the Most -Worshipful King Solomon Grand Lodge of the State of Texas of A. F. & A. -Masons has been regularly constituted according to the laws and land -marks of Freemasonry. - -The Most Worshipful St. John's Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. Masons of the -State of Illinois and jurisdiction further declare that the Most -Worshipful King Solomon Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. Masons of the State of -Texas is the only regular and lawful Grand Lodge of Colored Masons in -the State of Texas. - - Yours Fraternally, - JOHN G. JONES, Grand Master. - - -[Illustration] - -MOST WORSHIPFUL KING SOLOMON GRAND LODGE, ANCIENT, FREE AND ACCEPTED -MASONS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, AND JURISDICTION ORGANIZED ON THE 19th DAY -OF MARCH 1908 AT SAN ANTONIO. - -A Masonic Convention of several warranted Lodges of Ancient, Free and -Accepted Masons of the State of Texas, assembled in Masonic Convention -in the city of San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, on the 19th day of -March 1908, and lawfully organized Most Worshipful King Solomon Grand -Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Texas and -Masonic jurisdiction, and the grand officers were elected and installed. - -The Grand Officers were installed by Bro. John G. Jones, Grand Master of -the Most Worshipful St. Johns Grand Lodge of A. F. and A. M. of the -State of Illinois. - -Addresses were made by several of the brethren and after the transaction -of considerable business, charges were preferred against Bro. K. R. -Rogers of Austin, Texas, and he was expelled for un-Masonic conduct, -from rights and privileges of Free Masonry. - - -[Illustration] - -KEYSTONE GRAND CHAPTER OF ROYAL ARCH MASONS FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS AND -JURISDICTION, ORGANIZED MARCH 20th, 1908, AT SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. - -A Masonic convention of seven Chapters of Royal Arch Masons met in -convention and organized a Keystone Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons -for the State of Texas, and the Grand Officers were elected and -installed. The Grand officers were installed by Companion John G. Jones. -33rd degree of Chicago, Ill., Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the -Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons for the State of Illinois. - -Companion K. R. Rogers, 33rd degree of Austin, Texas, was expelled for -un-Masonic conduct from all the rights and privileges of Royal -Arch-Masonry. - - -[Illustration] - -MOUNT CALVARY GRAND COMMANDERY, KNIGHT TEMPLARS FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS -AND MASONIC JURISDICTION, ORGANIZED ON THE 20th DAY OF MARCH, 1908, AT -SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. - -A convention of Knight Templars, and representatives from seven (7) -warranted Commanderies of Knight Templars in the State of Texas met in -convention on March 20th, 1908, at San Antonio, and organized the Mount -Calvary Grand Commandery of Knight Templars for the State of Texas. The -Grand Officers were elected and Installed by Most Eminent Sir John G. -Jones, 33rd degree Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of Knight -Templars of the United States and Canada. - -Sir K. R. Rogers, of Austin, Texas, was expelled for unbecoming Masonic -conduct, from Knighthood throughout the world. All Sir Knights and all -Commanderies of Knight Templars are hereby notified of the same. - - -[Illustration] - -ORIENTAL GRAND TEMPLE MYSTIC SHRINE, ORGANIZED MARCH 20, 1908 - -A convention of Mystic Shrine and representatives from several Temples -met in convention on March 20, 1908, and organized the Oriental Grand -Temple. Grand officers were elected and installed by Noble John G. -Jones, 33rd degree Imperial Grand Potentate of the Imperial Grand -Council of North and South America. Noble K. R. Rogers, 33rd degree was -tried, found guilty and expelled for un-Masonic conduct from all the -rights and privileges of the Mystic Shrine. - - -ST. JOHN'S GRAND CONSISTORY, A. A. S. R. ORGANIZED MARCH 21, 1908. - -A convention of S. P. R. S., 32nd degree and representatives met in -convention and organized St. John's Grand Consistory on March 21, 1908. -Grand officers were duly installed by Ill. John G. Jones, 33rd M. P. -Sov. Grand commander of the United Supreme Council, A. A. S. R., U. S. -A. - -Ill. K. R. Rogers was expelled for gross un-Masonic conduct for life. - -At the annual session of 1905, John A. Bell, 33, of Grand Rapids, Mich., -Wm. Gray, 33, H. W. Knight, 33, of Chicago, Ill., Daniel Brown, 33, of -Rosebud, Ala., and at a special session held at San Antonio, Texas, -March 20th, 1908, K. R. Rogers, 33, of Austin, Texas, was expelled for -un-Masonic conduct from all the rights and privileges of the A. A. S. -Rite throughout the world. - -Copy of original letter from John G. Jones, to K. R. Rogers. - - Chicago, Ill., March 25th, 1908. - -[Illustration] - - Mr. K. R. Rogers, 33, - Austin, Texas. - -You are hereby notified that at a special session of the United Supreme -Council of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons of the 33rd degree -held at San Antonio, Texas, on the 20th of March, 1908, that charges for -un-Masonic conduct were preferred against you, and after the charges had -been thoroughly investigated you was found guilty of un-Masonic conduct, -and was expelled for un-Masonic conduct from the United Supreme Council -of the 33rd degree. And from all the rights and privileges of Scottish -Rite Freemasonry throughout the world and the craft is hereby notified -of the same. - -No further correspondence with you will be necessary or required. - - Yours Fraternally, - JOHN G. JONES, 33, - Sov. Grand Commander. - - -EXCERPTS FROM THE MASONIC GUIDE. - -Official Organ of the Supreme Grand Council of the Ancient Accepted -Scottish Rite Masons of the Southern and Western Jurisdiction of the -United States of America. - -Montgomery, Ala., April 11, 1908--King Solomon Grand Lodge of the Lone -Star State (Texas) has been legally organized, 19th day of March, 1908, -at San Antonio, Texas. Ill. C. L. Mitchell, 33, Grand Master, 310 -Monterey Street, San Antonio; Ill. J. F. VanDuzor, Grand Secretary; K. -R. Rogers, 33d, of Austin, was expelled. Mount Calvary Grand Commandery -Knights Templars and Keystone Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, were -organized by Ill. John G. Jones, 33d, G. G. C. of Chicago. All of this -grand work was done on March 19th and 20th, 1908. Ill. John G. Jones is -destined to capture the United States. Ill. C. L. Mitchell, 33d, will -lead Texas against all opposition and perfidy. Hurrah for the Texas -invincible. The German Grand Lodge of Alabama, A. F. and A. Masons, -extend them the right hand of fellowship. We will gladly accept a -fraternal representative from that jurisdiction, as this is the only -Legal Grand Masonic Lodge organized in Texas. - -Montgomery, Ala., June 20, 1908--The Grand Lodge over which Mr. J. W. -McKinney, of Texas, presides is spurious and bogus, and belongs to the -original Prince Hall Clandestine National Compact Grand Lodge of Masons -of Boston, Mass. He has no Masonic authority in the world for operating -Masonry in the State of Texas. Ill. C. L. Mitchell, 33d, is the only -legal Grand Master of A. F. & A. M. in Texas, and all intelligent -gentlemen like Dr. Sparks, of Terrell, Tex., and others will allow Ill. -Mitchell, of San Antonio, Texas, to heal and Masonically set them right. - - -EXTRACT FROM THE HISTORY OF BOGUS MASONRY AMONG COLORED MEN IN MISSOURI. - -By Capt. W. T. Grant, thirty-third degree Grand Master, St. Andrews -Grand Lodge, A. F. & A. M. of the State of Louisiana, and President of -the International Bureau of Masonic Information of the World, viz.: - -Seventh Question--Are you acquainted with Brother Chas. L. Mitchell, 33 -degree Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Texas? - -Seventh Answer--Yes. I am well acquainted with him. Bro. Chas. L. -Mitchell is a Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Texas and is a -prominent and distinguished Mason, and a very reliable and honest man. -He is a man and Mason that stands high in the estimation of the people -all over the country. He has the power and authority to organize Masonic -Lodges in the State of Missouri, and all Masonic work done by him is -regular and genuine, for there is not now a lawful and genuine Masonic -Lodge, nor Grand Lodge in the State of Missouri, except the Lodges that -Bro. Chas. L. Mitchell, 33d degree has organized. - - -STATE OF TEXAS COUNTY OF BEXAR. - -Personally came before me Chas. L. Mitchell, who being by me duly sworn, -declares that he is the Grand Master of M. W. King Solomon Grand Lodge -of A. F. & A. Masons of the State of Texas, and Masonic jurisdiction and -acting under the instruction and authority of the M. W. King Solomon -Grand Lodge of the State of Texas, and Masonic Jurisdiction; that -affiant went to the State of Missouri and was in the city of St. Louis, -Mo., on July 4, A. D., 1908, and affiant did in the city of St. Louis, -Mo., on July 4, A. D., 1908, regularly obligate and Masonically set -right according to the ancient custom, rules and regulation of the -craft. Bro. J. J. Edwards, Henry J. Harbert, Sterling Grey, A. W. -Prentiss, A. B. Shriver, E. J. Wade and others residing in the city of -St. Louis, Mo., under the power and authority of the M. W. King Solomon -Grand Lodge A. F. & A. Masons of the State of Texas and Masonic -Jurisdiction. - -Officers of C. L. Mitchell Lodge No. 1, A. F. & A. Masons: J. J. Edwards -W. M.; Henry J. Harbert, S. W.; B. Henderson, J. W.: S. Reed, W. T.; H. -Newcomb, W. S.; Frank Dorsey, S. D.; E. J. Wade, J. D.: H. W. Prentess, -S. S.; Milton Henderson, J. S.; A. B. Shriver, Chaplain; Sterling Grey, -Tyler. - -Affiant further says that the C. L. Mitchell Lodge No. 1 of St. Louis, -Mo., has been regularly organized in the City of St. Louis, Mo., on the -fourth day of July, A. D., 1908, according to the Ancient custom and -landmark of the Order, and it is recognized by us to be the only lawful -and genuine Lodge of Colored Masons in the State of Missouri. - - C. L. MITCHELL. 33rd Degree G. M., - M. W. KING, Solomon Grand Lodge. A. F. & A. M. of Texas. - - Sworn to before me this 16th day of December, A. D., 1908. - (Seal). - L. W. GREENLY, - Notary Public, Bexar County, Texas. - - -LEGALIZING MASONS IN THE STATE OF ARKANSAS AUGUST 7, 8, 9 AND 10, 1908. - -To All Whom This May Concern, Greeting: - -Whereas, in the course of Masonic events it becomes necessary for one -regular and legitimate Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. Masons to heal and -Masonically legalize Master Masons and Lodges and a Grand Lodge. - -Whereas, There was certain numbers of Masons, viz: R. Amos, Isaac -Butler, M. F. Leon, H. C. Leon and their associates of the City of -Montrose, Ark., J. C. Parker, R. B. Morehead, B. G. Head, A. W. Spears, -R. B. Hockenhull and others of Pine Bluff, Ark., C. W. Ross, J. L. Brown -and others of Readland, Ark., C. J. Jefferson, K. P. Ross. A. McDonald -and others of Sun Shine, Ark., and several others in the State of -Arkansas, C. W. Ross, E. E. Perryman, J. L. Brown and others of Eudora, -Ark. - -Whereas application having been made by the above named brethren and -their associates in the State of Arkansas, and the Masonic Lodges of -which the above named brethren were members of in the State of Arkansas. -The M. W. King Solomon, Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. Masons of the State of -Texas and Masonic jurisdiction to be Masonically legalized as Master -Masons and members of various warranted Masonic Lodges in the State of -Arkansas. - -Whereas, The M. W. King Solomon Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. Ma-kansas -having been duly presented and considered in open session of the M. W. -King Solomon Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. Masons of the State of Texas in -special session held in the City of San Antonio, Texas, on the 4th day -of August, A. D., 1908, and the prayer of the above named petitioners -was then and there duly considered and unanimously granted. - -Whereas, The M. W. King Solomon Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. M. Masons of -the State of Texas and Masonic jurisdiction having in open session duly -instructed and empowered the Grand Master of the M. W. King Solomon -Grand Lodge of the A. F. & A. Masons of the State of Texas and Masonic -jurisdiction to repair to the State of Arkansas and there proceed to -Masonically legalize the Lodges and the above named brethren residing in -the State of Arkansas, and to assist them in the formation and install -the officers of the M. W. Hiram Grand Lodge, A. F. & A. Masons of the -State of Arkansas. - -Therefore, be it known that I. C. L. Mitchell, 33rd degree of the City -of San Antonio, State of Texas, and Grand Master of the M. W. King -Solomon Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. Masons of the State of Texas and -Masonic jurisdiction did in the City of Montrose, Ark., on the 7th day -of August, A. D., 1908, did then and there under the instruction and -authority of the M. W. King Solomon Grand Lodge A. F. & A. Masons of the -State of Texas did in said City of Montrose, Ark., on the 7th day of -Aug. A. D., 1908, obligate and Masonically legalize the above named -brethren and did Masonically legalize the subordinate Lodges in the -State of Arkansas, and did assist and was present in the formation of -the M. W. Hiram Grand Lodge of the A. F. & A. Masons of the State of -Arkansas and did install Brothers Ralph Amos, M. W., Grand Master and -J. C. Parker, Grand Secretary and the rest of the brethren as grand -officers of the M. W. Hiram Grand Lodge of Arkansas according to the -Masonic laws, rules and regulations of the craft. - -And, I, now do proclaim to the whole Masonic world that the M. W. Hiram -Grand Lodge of the State of Arkansas of the A. F. & A. Masons has been -regularly constituted according to laws, landmarks of Freemasonry. The -M. W. King Solomon Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. Masons of the State of -Texas and Masonic jurisdiction further declare that the M. W. Hiram -Grand Lodge of the A. F. & A. Masons of the State of Arkansas is the -only regular and lawful Grand Lodge of Colored Masons in the State of -Arkansas. - - Fraternally Yours, - C. L. MITCHELL 33rd Degree. - Grand Master M. W. K. S. G. L., A. F. &. A. Masons of - Texas and Masonic Jurisdiction. - - - - -Transcriber's Note: - -Changes have been made to the original publication as follows: - - Preface: - realized by my brethern _changed to_ - realized by my brethren - - styled--Illigitimate Prince Hall Grand Lodge _changed to_ - styled--Illegitimate Prince Hall Grand Lodge - - of the United States, its' _changed to_ - of the United States, its - - Page 1: - neccessary to state the time and place that _changed to_ - necessary to state the time and place that - - that it occurrd _changed to_ - that it occurred - - Page 2: - and these wiley fellows and _changed to_ - and these wily fellows and - - in the state of Mass _changed to_ - in the state of Mass. - - African Grand Lodge of Modern Mason of Mass. _changed to_ - African Grand Lodge of Modern Masons of Mass. - - Page 3: - and genuine mason he it a _changed to_ - and genuine mason he is a - - land and in every coutry, _changed to_ - land and in every country, - - Page 4: - letter "Y" originated, Prince Edwin _changed to_ - letter "Y" originated. Prince Edwin - - the Grand Lodge that was orgrnized at York _changed to_ - the Grand Lodge that was organized at York - - Prince Edwin, the brother of King Athlestan of _changed to_ - Prince Edwin, the brother of King Athelstan of England - - an eniment and distinguished Mason and King _changed to_ - an eminent and distinguished Mason and King - - Athlestan was the grandson of King Alfred the _changed to_ - Athelstan was the grandson of King Alfred the first - - annointed King of England who translated the _changed to_ - anointed King of England who translated the - - Page 6: - valuminous articles _changed to_ - voluminous articles - - has on several occassion _changed to_ - has on several occasions - - refer to Genaral Gages Military Regiment being _changed to_ - refer to General Gages Military Regiment being - - And upon futher investigation of this matter _changed to_ - And upon further investigation of this matter - - General Gages Millitary Regiment which Prince Hall _changed to_ - General Gages Military Regiment which Prince Hall - - of the Grand Lodge of New York on Oct, 25th 1848 _changed to_ - of the Grand Lodge of New York on Oct. 25th 1848 - - Page 7: - documentry evidence that has ever - documentary evidence that has ever - - Page 8: - to you and the brethern in your country as to a _changed to_ - to you and the brethren in your country as to a - - Page 10: - are admitted in any of the Masonic bodys _changed to_ - are admitted in any of the Masonic bodies - - Grand Lodges in This County and _changed to_ - Grand Lodges in This Country and - - Page 11: - irregular and clandestine and predicted _changed to_ - irregular and clandestine and predicated - - nothing but breed dissention _changed to_ - nothing but breed dissension - - Page 12: - and the second irrigeular _changed to_ - and the second irregular - - Page 15: - Spingfield, Ill., Jos. H. Banks of Providence _changed to_ - Springfield, Ill., Jos. H. Banks of Providence - - Page 16: - STATS WAS HELD AT OMAHA, NEB., MAY THE 10th _changed to_ - STATES WAS HELD AT OMAHA, NEB., MAY THE 10th - - Pennsylvaniia. The case came up before _changed to_ - Pennsylvanyia. The case came up before - - Page 17: - Alfred the first annointed King of England who _changed to_ - Alfred the first anointed King of England who - - Page 18: - after Mount Bonnel Lodge was _changed to_ - after Mount Bonnell Lodge was - - that was Mounte Bonnell Lodge at Austin _changed to_ - that was Mount Bonnell Lodge at Austin - - Cuny was elected Grand Master and J. J. Hamilton was _changed to_ - Cuney was elected Grand Master and J. J. Hamilton was - - of since its was instituted in an _changed to_ - of since it was instituted in an - - Page 20 - 24th day of June Amo _changed to_ - 24th day of June Anno - - North America, this 24th day of June Amo _changed to_ - North America, this 24th day of June Anno - - Page 21 - bigus, counterfeit grand body, and _changed to_ - bogus, counterfeit grand body, and - - Grand Master and Grand Wardens, and brethern - Grand Master and Grand Wardens, and brethren - - Page 22 - brethern and their successors to have and _changed to_ - brethren and their successors to have and - - brethern and their successors in office to _changed to_ - brethren and their successors in office to - - brethern and their successors to have _changed to_ - brethren and their successors to have - - brethern to attend the Most Worshipful _changed to_ - brethren to attend the Most Worshipful - - the officers and brethern of said Grand _changed to_ - the officers and brethren of said Grand - - Page 23 - CHICAGO, SEPT, 4th, 1877. _changed to_ - CHICAGO, SEPT., 4th, 1877. - - Page 24 - by this grand Lodge. _changed to_ - by this Grand Lodge. - - Page 25 - Accepted Scottinsh Rite _changed to_ - Accepted Scottish Rite - - degree it is suprious and _changed to_ - degree it is spurious and - - Page 26 - by organizing Mt. Bonnel Lodge _changed to_ - by organizing Bonnell Lodge - - with N. W. Cuny as the _changed to_ - with N. W. Cuney as the - - succeeded N. W. Cuny as Grand _changed to_ - succeeded N. W. Cuney as Grand - - that was held in Pittsburg, Pa. _changed to_ - that was held in Pittsburgh, Pa. - - Bro. W. T. Grant,, _changed to_ - Bro. W. T. Grant, - - Page 27 - regular and legitmate Grand Lodge of _changed to_ - regular and legitimate Grand Lodge of - - Chas. L. W. L. Dorn, J. F. VanDuzor _changed to_ - Chas. L., W. L. Dorn, J. F. VanDuzor - - Page 28 - charges were prefrred against _changed to_ - charges were preferred against - - Page 29 - MOUNT CALVARY GRAND COMMANDRY, KNIGHT _changed to_ - MOUNT CALVARY GRAND COMMANDERY, KNIGHT - - warranted Commandrys of Knight Templars in _changed to_ - warranted Commanderies of Knight Templars in the - - organized the Mount Calvary Grand Commandry _changed to_ - organized the Mount Calvary Grand Commandery of Knight - - Commandreys of Knight Templars are hereby _changed to_ - Commanderies of Knight Templars are hereby - - Page 31 - street San Antonio; _changed to_ - Street, San Antonio; - - Page 33 - regulations of the craft, _changed to_ - regulations of the craft. - - Page 32 The text has been transcribed as in the original - publication but words appear to be missing between - "Ma-" and "kansas" which is split at the end of a - line in the original - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Early Introduction of Bogus -Freemasonry in the United States of America and Texas Among Colored Masons, by Charles L. 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