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UCH were the men associated with General Morton in the beginning of his Grand Mastership. Having considered them we may now discuss the results attained by that combination of talents. It can hardly be said that they were brilliant, that the institution. continued to advance in the same remarkable ratio of the last years of Livingston's reign, but it did advance; it more than held its own, in fact, and the leadership exhibited if not brilliant was at least conservative, and in many respects it left the Grand Lodge more solid, more prosperous than it found it. It did not settle the jealousy which prevailed between the older country Lodges and those in the city, but it kept that sentiment from spreading, and by wise concession smothered several incipient fires which might have broken out into open rebellion. We say smothered, for the fire was not put out. Still, an effort was made at extinguishment, but its failure proved the most signal blot on the administration of Livingston's successor. Of course Jacob Morton did not possess the same influence in the State as did the Chancellor, nor was his political and personal prestige as high and as far reaching as that of the statesman who succeeded him, but he had the opportunity, by wise legislation, of removing all cause of friction between the two elements, and did not arise to the opportunity, and therein lay the weak spot in his tenure of the highest office in the gift of his Masonic brethren. At the same time he was in many respects a brilliant officer; he

met all causes for controversy as they came up in a conciliatory yet firm spirit; he maintained the dignity of the Grand Lodge unimpaired, and if he did not originate he at least preserved. Even De Witt Clinton did no more, but then Freemasonry was only one of the matters which engaged the attention of that remarkable man. Morton's lines were more circumscribed and he had the opportunity and the power of acting the part of a statesman in connection with the Grand Lodge, but he was not gifted enough to embrace the opportunity, and what he might have accomplished: easily was only in later years brought about as the result of what may now be spoken of as a successful rebellion.

An instance of the policy which prevailed is seen in the circumstances attending the receipt of a letter received in 1803 from John Mitchell, signing himself as K. H., P. R. S.; Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the Thirty-third Degree of Masonry and Grand Commander in the United States of America." The communication was read, we are told, and "referred to a committee to examine the same and to make such report thereon as they shall think proper, and that the said committee consist of the Grand officers." This virtually was an easy way of getting rid of the letter. The Grand officers made no report on the matter, at least none is contained in the records, and if they did report their conclusions in writing, the document, with Mitchell's letter itself, has disappeared from the archives. At least Charles T. McClenachan so reported as the

result of a diligent search. There is no doubt that the letter referred to the standing of the Scottish Rite body of which Mitchell announced himself as belonging to the thirtythird degree, and a full report on the question by the Grand Lodge officials at that time would now have been regarded as a document of great Masonic historical value. But conservatism in this case was carried to excess.

So, too, in the observance of the days of the patron saints. It was by this time well understood that dangers to the peace of the craft attended every public display of the fraternity, and during the five years' tenure of Jacob Morton the day of the Evangelist was not publicly observed at all, while that of the Baptist was celebrated only once under the auspices of the Grand Lodge, in 1803. Then it seemed to pass off quietly enough and in a manner that reflected honor on the fraternity. The brethren marched in procession through William, Wall, Broad and Beaver Streets to Trinitv Church, where the Rev. John Ireland opened the service with prayer, and an appropriate oration was delivered by "Brother Washington Morton of Howard Lodge," a brilliant lawyer, a younger brother of the Grand Master, a leader in the young society of the city, but certainly not a man whose record was such as to grace the pulpit of Trinity. However, a substantial collection was gathered in, which was divided between the Society for the Relief of Distressed Persons and the Society for the Relief of Poor Widows with Small Children, and in Lovett's Hotel the Grand Lodge and brethren "spent the remainder of the day in harmony and festivity."

One of the matters which most greatly interested the Fraternity during Morton's administration was that of a suitable Masonic meeting place. Hitherto the Grand Lodge had met in all sorts of places, taverns, hotels, and the meeting rooms of Lodges like St. Andrew's and Holland. As the first step toward effecting an improvement of some sort Grand Master Morton, on the night of his in

stallation, appointed a committee, headed by Cadwallader D. Colden, "to make enquiries and report the best method of procuring a suitable apartment for the meetings of the Grand Lodge." That committee evidently took the utmost pains to solve the question entrusted to it satisfactorily and it was not until May 4, 1802, that its report was presented to a special meeting of the Grand Lodge. It was there stated that the committee

Have formed an opinion that lots may be purchased and a Masonic Hall erected thereon sufficiently large to accommodate the Grand Lodge and a number of private Lodges for the sum of $15,000, that the committee have had doubts as to what would be the best means of raising the money required and that there was some differences of opinion with them on this subject, whether it be better to do it by creating a stock that may be productive to the proprietors or to rely that the zeal of the fraternity for the honor and prosperity of the craft, which are so obviously implicated in the object, will insure pure donations adequate to the purpose. The committee therefore determined to report to the Grand Lodge a scheme for raising the money in either way.

First. That there be six hundred shares at $25 each.

Second. That these shares be sold to Masons for notes payable to the Treasurer, or order, at six, nine and twelve months, and that the sum of twenty shillings on each share be paid in advance, at the time of the subscription.

Third. That each Lodge under the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge be advised to appoint a committee to sell the shares.

Fourth. That when a sufficient number of shares are sold a site may be purchased and a contract be made for the building. The contractor to be bound to take the notes as pay.

Fifth. That the property be conveyed to trustees, who shall be bound to appropriate it to none other than Masonic uses, and who shall receive rent from the Grand Lodge and such other private Lodges as may choose to be accommodated in it, which rent the trustees shall distribute, as often as it shall be received, among the stockholders.

That it appeared to the committee that the brethren who may become owners of a stock of this sort, besides the satisfaction that must be derived from seeing the fathers of this institution accommodated in a place to assemble in, consistent with the respect that is due to them [will] find themselves

possessed of a property not less productive than any stock in the United States.

But if the Grand Lodge should be of opinion that the money may be expected from donations, the committee proposed that subscriptions be opened in each Lodge; that each Lodge be advised to appoint a committee to obtain subscriptions, and that notes as above mentioned be taken for the sums subscribed, provided the subscription exceeds $10.

The whole matter was thus very clearly and intelligently put before the Grand Lodge in a brief and business-like manner. Doubtless it was felt in the prevailing sentiment between the city and country Lodges that outside the city a sufficient sum could not be collected in the way of subscriptions to aid the erection. of a Grand Lodge room in New York, so, very wisely, the meeting adopted the plan of issuing stock, as outlined by the committee. Thereupon the carrying out of the scheme was intrusted to a new committee, headed by the Grand Master. The project seems to have been successfully carried through, although we have no information as to whether the shares were eagerly bought up or were disposed of as a result of more or less insistent labors on the part of the committee. However, the hall was built, and on June 8, 1803, the Grand Lodge attended. at the building and opened a meeting in its large hall, at which, besides. the Grand officers, there was present "a large assemblage of Past Masters, Masters, Wardens and brethren." Grand Master Morton, "having announced the object of the assembling the brethren together and having explained the nature of the ceremony, proceeded to consecrate the building according to the ancient usages and customs of the order." The customary oration was delivered by Mayor Edward Livingston, Deputy Grand Master. "St. John's Hall," wrote McClenachan (History of Freemasonry in New York,

Vol. II., Page 206), "was erected in 1803 by Mr. Becannon, a member of Holland Lodge, No. 8. It stood in Frankfort Street, where French's Hotel was afterward built, and at the rear of where now stands the World publication building. The hall was four stories in height. The ground floor contained a readingroom, saloon and living apartments; the second and third floors were arranged and fitted for Lodge purposes, but were plain and unfinished. The fourth floor contained the Chapter and Encampment rooms, which were highly ornate. Political meetings and festivals were likewise held on the second floor. This was the first building in New York that

was dedicated to Masonic purposes. It was placed in charge of Brother Henry Marsh." In this building the Grand Lodge was accommodated free of rent and charges, excepting for fuel and "candle light," but its capacity was found too limited, and a committee was that same year appointed to hunt up new quarters. None presented themselves, however, and the Grand Lodge had to rest content with the shelter of St. John's Hall, going on great occasions to some of the large hotels, most generally the Tontine Coffee House.

W

HAT might be called the most prominent feature of the Morton administration was its effort to "solidify," so to speak, the interests of the Grand Lodge, to bring the country and city Lodges into complete harmony and make Freemasonry in the State of New York more a unit in point of work and aims, and purposes, and loyalty than it had yet been. To a great extent, as we have already said, Morton failed. It must be remembered, however, that during his time the war between the Ancients and the Moderns was in full blast. The original country Lodges had all started under Modern influences, while the Grand Lodge was an Ancient body, and echoes of the Masonic conflict then waging in England, as well as local reasons, tended to draw a line of separation between city and country in New York. The main weakness of the country Lodges lay in the fact that they had no single recognized leader, no one of sufficient prominence in the State to be generally acceptable. Had the Ancients not captured the loyalty of Chancellor Livingston at the time they did it is conceivable that he might have headed a Grand Lodge of Moderns, with headquarters at Albany, and had De Witt Clinton not been raised in Holland Lodge he might have seen light in some Lodge in the same city, and have engaged in the work of building up a Modern Grand Lodge as an offset to the influence of the Livingstons to whose prestige and policy he was so bitterly opposed in public affairs.

But even without a leader the country Lodges, many of them, continued throughout Grand Master Morton's career in a state of disloyalty, open or avowed, or of practical indifference. This was shown conclusively almost at the beginning of his term by the issuance of the following circular, dated from Albany, Dec. 25, 1801, which was circulated among the country Lodges generally:

Brethren: Union, Masters and Temple Lodges in this city, from a conviction that the holding of the Grand Lodge in the city of New York is inconvenient for the Lodges and brethren here and in other remote parts of the State, have resolved that in their opinion it ought in future to be held in the city of Albany as a more central, convenient and proper place, and they have, by concurrent resolutions, fixed on the 15th day of next February for the Lodges east and west and north and so far south as shall be deemed expedient to meet by proxies or deputies in this city to take the same into consideration and determine on that important subject or the establishment of a Grand Lodge in this place in case such establishment should be deemed preferable and more expedient.

By like concurrent resolutions of the Lodges here, we are appointed a committee (composed of officers from those Lodges) to notify you of such intended meeting and to request your Lodge, if you are disposed to co-operate in the business, to appoint one or more proxies with ample powers for the above purpose.

We presume it is unnecessary to detail the various reasons which have induced the Lodges here to adopt this measure. Among many of other reasons which we presume will appear obvious to you permit us to state the following:

ity which can make laws and regulations by which all the Lodges and brethren in the State are to be bound; and

2. That the privilege allowed to Lodges of appointing proxies is limited to a Master of a Lodge or Past Master residing in the city of New York. Brother Morton, as Secretary of the Grand Lodge, in his then circular letter says: "The advantages which the absent Lodges will derive from their proxies must be very obvious, they will thereby be informed of every material proceeding, &c. If there is no particular person in this city whom you wish as your proxy I shall have no objection for the present to serve your Lodge in that capacity." In consequence of which Brother Morton was appointed a proxy to several Lodges, but so far as it respects St. George's Lodge of Schenectady and Union and Temple Lodges of Albany (of which he has been proxy) neither of them have experienced any advantage or information; and,

3. Were the privilege of appointing proxies not limited and confirmed to a Master or Past Master residing in New York, the attendance of proxies, although members of Lodges, at so remote a distance as New York, would only be attended with great difficulty, delay and expense.

4. The officers of the Lodges in New York who generally compose the Grand Lodge have steadily and uniformly engrossed all the offices and officers of the Grand Lodge; they all reside there and totally deprive all the country Lodges of a participation in any part of the representation.

5. By the present constitution of the Grand Lodge (Section 10, Rule 4) every Master of a country Lodge is to pay annually fifty cents to the Grand Lodge, and by the fifth rule every candidate is to pay $1.25; and for these dues the Lodges are made responsible, a thing unexampled in the former constitutions by which the Lodges paid an annual sum to the Grand Lodge in lieu of all other dues or contributions.

6. It does not appear probable that the country Lodges are to expect a remedy so long as the Grand Lodge (which is generally composed of the brethren who reside in the city of New York) is held there, and while the liberty of other Lodges having proxies is thus limited and confined; nor would the inconvenience, delay and expense of attendance be removed, even were the country Lodges at liberty to appoint proxies, officers of their own Lodges.

7. That the city of Albany being the present seat of government and the most central and convenient place, the Grand Lodge ought to be held there.

If your Lodge shall be disposed to send a proxy or proxies for the contemplated purpose you will be pleased to make out a proper deputation for the purpose under the seal of your Lodge, signed by the Master and Secretary.

We would beg leave to recommend your calling a chapter or extra Lodge without delay, and permit us to recommend the following form for appointing a proxy:

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At a meeting of...... Lodge, at. the....day of January, 1802, resolved that Brothers .be and they are hereby appointed proxies to represent this Lodge at a meeting of proxies from Union, Masters and Temple Lodges in the city of Albany and of such other Lodges as shall convene in said city on the 15th day of February next for the purpose of considering and determining on the holding of the Grand Lodge in future in said city, or the establishment of a Grand Lodge there, and further to devise and adopt such measures as shall be deemed proper and expedient to advance and promote the honor and interest of the craft.

And our said proxies are hereby fully empowered to do and act in our behalf in and concerning the premises as fully and effectually as if we ourselves were personally present.

In witness whereof we have fixed the seal of our Lodge and the Master and Secretary have subscribed their respective names to these presents. P. W. YATES, Chairman of the General Committee of Union, Masters and Temple Lodges in the city of Albany.

The real object of this proposed convention was not the removal of the existing Grand Lodge to Albany, for that was a matter which could hardly be effected, but to form there a new Grand Lodge, as hinted at throughout the circular and plainly intimated in the form of proxy. This is further shown by the minutes of the meeting of Masters' Lodge of Dec. 9, 1801, when it was resolved "That this Lodge act in conjunction with Masters' and Temple Lodges to invite all Lodges west, north and south, as far as practicable, to appoint proxies to meet in this city [Albany] on the 15th day of February, 1802, for the purpose of establishing a Grand Lodge to meet in this city, and carry the object into effect." The records of Unity Lodge, No. 9, Lebanon Springs, and of several other Lodges which I have examined bear the same testimony to the real purpose of the movement, which was the formation of a new Grand Lodge.