there is no grand lodge, but this which is now organized. In forming the new grand lodge in England, at London, four lodges only concurred; in forming the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, five regular lodges (all of which are in this state) are represented.

2. Prior to the American revolution, the grand lodges of the then provinces, were governed by provincial grand masters, appointed by the grand master of England. Af ter that revolution they separated themselves in different and independent grand lodges, justly conceiving that as members of an independent commonwealth, and as FREE MASON, they had a right so to do, the better to promote the welfare and prosperity of the craft. This is believed to have happened in almost every state of the union.

3. There was one exception, which will now be noticed as the last precedent of which mention will be made— The lodges in Maryland were generally, if not altogether, under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, until the 31st day of July, A. D. 1783, A. L. 5783, when they formed a Grand Lodge of Maryland; and this proceeding finally received the sanction and approbation of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.

Though the right of the lodges in this state, to form a grand lodge, is undoubted, yet a due regard to the opinions of their brethren, induced this Grand Lodge to develope the circumstances which rather have compelled, than induced this measure to be adopted merely as of right and choice.

Here it will be only necessary to advert to the great distance (not less than seven hundred miles) between the seats of the lodges in this state, and that of the Grand Lodge of Virginia. This alone is sufficient to prove that our inducements to a separation are much stronger than those which existed in the case of the grand lodge at

London, or that of Maryland. On this head it will be sufficient to enumerate some inconveniencies, not which might happen, but which have actually been felt in this state by the craft. Some lodges, though punctual in transmitting their communications and contributions to the G. Lodge of Va. have laboured under a painful, and although to the G. Lodge then unknown, and undeserved censure, when from causes unavoidable, the persons intrusted therewith have not arrived in due time. From the same cause, one lodge then acting under a dispensation, has been compelled to take out two dispensations before they obtained a charter, and were obliged to suspend their work at two periods for almost a year. In different parts of this state, application for charters have been made by worthy brethren, which are presumed wholly to have miscarried, because no notice has been taken of them by the Grand Lodge of Virginia, and the characters of the applicants are of undoubted eligibility.

We have already found cause to lament that the lodges in this country, could not be legally and regularly visited; a continuance in such a state, there is just ground to fear, would give existence and permanence to the greatest irregularities. Finally, it is the opinion of this Grand Lodge, that if no other reason existed, it would be suffi cient to represent to our brethren, that our situation precludes an unfortunate brother or his family, among us, from the due assistance out of the grand charity fund, to which we have contributed.

Fully convinced of their right, and actuated by a desire to encourage the deserving brethren in their labours, and repress the irregularities of the unwary, we trust that our motives and conduct will be duly appreciated by the most worshipful Grand Lodge of I am also E

instructed by this Grand Lodge, to offer, through yoú, a reciprocation of correspondence and communications with your Grand Lodge, and to assure them of the earnest wish we have to prove to them our fraternal regard and esteem; in which, permit me to add, to yourself and them, that of

YOUR FRIEND AND BROTHER.

Accordingly grand communications have regularly been held, at the Mason's Hall in the town of Lexington, and the business of masonry has been advanced and benefitted thereby. Charters have heen granted for holding lodges as follows:

Lexington Lodge No. 1, Lexington, K. October 17, 5800. *Paris Lodge No. 2, Paris, K.

+ Georgetown Lodge No. 3, Georgetown, K. Hiram Lodge No. 4, Frankfort, K. Solomon's Lodge No. 5, Shelbyville, K.

Washington Lodge No. 6, Bairdstown, K. February 10, 5801. Harmony Lodge No. 7, Natchez, M. T. October 16, 5801. § Abraham's Lodge No. 8, Middletown, K. April 6, 5802. Jerusalem Lodge No. 9, Henderson, K. September 19, 5804. Unity Lodge No. 10, Millersburgh, K. September 18, 5805. St. John's Lodge No. 11, Flemingsburgh, K.

Philanthropic Lodge No. 12, Davidson Co. Ten. Sept. 18, 5805, Cincinnati Lodge No. 13, Cincinnati, O. March 20, 5806. Mount Vernon Lodge No. 14, Georgetown, K. Aug. 28, 5807.

*The charter of Paris Lodge No. 2, was surrendered on the 14th Oct. 5802. The charter of Georgetown Lodge No. 3, was arrested by the Grand Lodge on the 21st of March, 5804.

The charter of Washington Lodge No. 6, was arrested by the Grand Lodge on the 7th October, 5806.

́ ́Abraham's Lodge No. 8, was, by order of the Grand Lodge, removed to Louisville on the 5th April, 5803.

CHAPTER III.

GENERAL LAWS FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE GRAND LODGE

THE SUBORDINATE LODGES, AND ANCIENT YORK MASONS.

BY-LAWS, &c. .

ARTICLE 1. The grand lodge shall hold a grand communication once in every year, on the last Wednesday in August.

Art. 2. There shall not be any grand lodge opened to work, unless there be present a representation of five subordinate lodges.

Art. 2. The members of the grand lodge are, the grand officers, past grand officers, past masters, officers of subordinate lodges and representatives from said lodges.

Art. 4. Subordinate lodges who cannot send representatives to the grand lodge are permitted to appoint proxies, who must be master masons, and members of some lodge under the jurisdiction of the grand lodge.

Art. 5. The appointment of the representatives and proxies must be certified by the secretary of the lodge making the appointment, and have the seal of said lodge affixed to the certificate.

Art. 6. The duty of the grand lodge is to receive appeals, redress grievances, and remove all complaints of the private lodges; to grant warrants, and authorize new lodges to work; to reprehend mal-conduct in any of its private lodges or members; to relieve distressed brethren, their widows or children; to assess such economical contributions for charity and other exigencies, from time to time, as shall appear proper, for the good of the craft; to correspond with every grand lodge on the terrestrial globe, that they shall deem right, for the good of the fraternity; to devise and design plans, problems and positions for

the private lodges to execute, and also to choose and elect by written ballot annually, and duly install all the grand officers.

Art. 7. It is the duty of every grand officer, in proportion to his superiority, during the vacation of the grand lodge, to have special care of the private lodges, directing all their designs, plans, problems and positions on which they work, to be executed according to, and within the extent and limit of the ancient land marks, usages and customs of the sublime order of free and accepted masonry.

Art. 8. All matters of controversy before the grand lodge, shall be determined by a majority of votes; that is to say, the grand master or presiding officer, having one vote, (unless in case of an equal division, and then two;) the deputy grand master one vote; the grand wardens for the time being, collectively, one vote; the past grand officers and past masters collectively one vote ; and the officers, or their representatives, of each subordinate lodge collectively, one vote. It is, however, understood, that no brother can vote in a double capacity.

Art. 9. Every grand officer shall be elected annually, by a majority of written ballots, taken agreeably to Art, 8, which ballots shall be collected by the senior grand deacon, and shall be by him delivered to the most worshipful grand master for the time being, to count, who shall order the grand secretary to proclaim the officer elected. During the time that the grand deacon is collecting the ballots, and until the grand secretary has proclaimed the officer ballotted in, every member shall be silent and keep his seat. The senior grand deacon shall not present the ballot box to any voter until the grand secretary has called upon him to answer, beginning with the most worshipful grand master, and continuing the