MYSTERIOUS VAULTS: ITS PRISONERS SET FREE, AND ITS DARK SECRETS EXPOSED.

With these resolutions, and these warnings, the Suffolk Committee commenced THE UNDERTAKING. They were aware of their responsibility. Their CHARACTERS, public and private, known for near half a century, and again confided in on this occasion, had nothing to do with the controversy. They left every thing to the care, candour, and discretion of their fellow citizens. However dear their characters might be to them, they early resolved to take no notice of any attack upon that quarter. It would only divert attention from "the nature, principles and tendency of Freemasonry," to personal altercations, irrelative to the subject. There was much to be done: there was no time; their numbers were too few, to stop and dress the wounded, (should such there be,) in the heat of contest.

Measures were immediately taken to elicit "the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth," respecting Freemasonry. An office was procured, a Masonic and Antimasonic Library commenced, and a correspondence opened with gentlemen of high standing in various parts of the country.

On the evening of the 8th of September, 1829, twelve days after the Committee were appointed, was held, what has been denominated, from its numbers and respectability, "THE GREAT MEETING AT FANEUIL HALL." The information communicated, and the eloquence displayed, on that occasion, will be long remembered. The most appalling disclosures were made. A number of high minded and honourable seceding Masons came boldly forward, and bore testimony to the truth of what they had seen and heard. They testified that Freemasonry is the same in Massachusetts as in the State of New York; and this was in part confirmed by the noise and riotous conduct of some of the Fraternity present.

A Resolution, calling a State Convention on the 30th of December following, was there passed by an immense majority.

The effects of that meeting were highly beneficial to the cause, though the conduct of Masons was much more orderly than on subsequent occasions. They appeared then to act more without concert, and not so much by superior authority.

Arrangements were soon after made in the several Counties for the State Convention, and numerous indications were given that information was only wanted to induce the people to act with promptness and decision.

Among the correspondence of the Committee which followed, may be mentioned the very able and valuable letter of Sheriff SUMNER. No man in this community stood higher in the esteem, or enjoyed more sincerely the confidence, love and respect of the public, than the SHERIFF OF SUFFOLK. His benevolent feelings; his commanding talents, and unimpeachable character, had secured for him, as was supposed, an elevation too consecrated for malice to attempt. But no sooner was this letter published, than the offspring of malevolence, slander, and defamation were let loose from the Lodge-room. They aimed at his fair fame but they "bit a file:" they spit their poison but against the wind to recoil on them

selves. His own merited elevation they could not reach, or breathe the pure atmosphere in which he lived.

The same remarks apply to another distinguished gentleman in the County of Worcester, Col. PLINY MERRICK. He stood in public estimation and regard with Sheriff Sumner. But his powerful and convincing letter to the Committee of that county, was no sooner published, than the same furies were sent forth from the same place to destroy him. They made the attempt, and sorely have Masons regretted their presumption. They have been dismayed at the lightnings of his eloquence, and struck down with the thunderbolts of truth. It has beamed upon their unaccustomed eyes, and upon Masonry, such a refulgence, that they are unable to look up or retreat. They lie prostrate, in despair of reaching him. He is calm and serene, moving on in public favour, without a cloud "to the clear upper sky."

The researches of the Suffolk Committee, relative to the antiquity of Freemasonry, have been highly satisfactory. They have examined for themselves extensively, and sought assistance from the highest sources of information in the country, with a belief that much depends upon a correct decision of the question. They have discovered no book on Freemasonry written prior to 1723; ten years previous to its establishment in Boston, and near 300 years after the discovery of printing. But in order to render this subject more atisfactory, the Committee proposed the following question to the President and Professors of Harvard University, and also to the President and Professors of the Theological Seminary at Andover:

"Is there any known history to justify the belief that Speculative, or Freemasonry had existence prior to the last century?" After more than a month, the following letter was received from the President of Harvard College, who is a Mason.

Harvard University, Cambridge, Dec. 5th, 1829.

To the Gentlemen of the Suffolk Committee.

GENTLEMEN,-I have received, and laid before the Faculty of Harvard University, your letter, requesting an expression of their sentiments on the question, "Is there any known history to justify the belief that Speculative, or Freemasonry had existence prior to the last century?" In reply, I have the honour, by request of the Faculty, to state, that they have no knowledge of any such history. On inquiry of the Librarian of the University, and on examining the Catalogue of Books, no such has been found. The subject is one, however, on which the members of the Faculty profess to have no precise information, it having never before been presented to. them as an object of interest and inquiry.

Should any books in the College Library be found to be important for your purposes in the course of your investigation, they wiH, without doubt, on application, be placed at the command of any person engaged under your authority, in the research you have. instituted.

Very respectfully, Gentlemen,
I am your obedient servant,

JOSIAH QUINCY,
President of Harvard University.

In answer to the same question, the Rev. Leonard Woods, D. D. Professor of the Theological Seminary at Andover, writes," I have never seen or heard of any evidence of any kind or degree, in support of the pretended antiquity of Freemasonry; and I suppose the same is true of all others. What then can we do consistently with reason and common sense, but to withhold our belief." The Rev. PROFESSOR STUART writes:

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Gentlemen,-In answer to your inquiries respecting any traces of the history of Freemasonry in ancient times, I reply, that it has not been my lot to find any thing of this nature in any book that I have ever perused, either in any of the Asiatic or European languages. I take it to be a point conceded by all literary men, that no such traces exist in any ancient record whatever. The pretence that Freemasonry was known in the time of Solomon is refuted by the internal evidence which Masonic books themselves contain."

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WHERE, your Committee would ask, can a question, on any subject relating to antiquity, be more fully and satisfactorily settled, in this country, than at the oldest and most extensive libraries? WHO can better decide, what those libraries contain, than the numerous and learned professors and presidents, who have spent their long and laborious lives in their perusal and examination? Who can better tell the ancient manners and customs of nations and individuals, tribes and confederacies, than the great masters of oriental languages and literature? Is it to be supposed that all the great and learned men of antiquity, could have belonged to a society of such exalted excellence as Freemasons pretend theirs to be, without its being so much as once mentioned, or even alluded to? To your Committee the thing is incredible. The inquiry has not been as to the time when operative Masonry began, more than any other mechanical employment. But WHEN WERE THE TOOLS of an operative Mason first used, as FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS" say, "for the more noble and glorious purpose." When did Speculative, or Freemasonry, as we now see it, commence? When were its ancient landmarks" first fixed, "which," as they say, no man, or body of men, has power to alter?" Were they fixed by the wise King Solomon? We have the best evidence the nature of the case admits, that all antiquity for 56 centuries is silent on this subject. What prevented such" a noble and meritorious Institution, patronized by Prophets, Apostles, and Wise Men," from ever being once spoken of or mentioned in writing? Was it because it did not exist, or was it because all antiquity was ashamed to mention it? Why, again, we ask, is all antiquity silent on this subject? Why is there no mention of splendid Masonic Processions, the Laying of Corner Stones, and the deposit of Plates, previous to the last century? And where are those plates? Amidst all the vast ruins of so many ages, and so many countries, not one is known to have been discovered. The future historian will have ample materials to prove the existence of Freemasonry from 1717 to the present time; and, from present appearances, he will be able to show the cause of its destruction.

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For these, and similar reasons, your Committee most fully concur in the accurate and well drawn conclusions, of that learned and

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distinguished citizen, Henry D. Ward, Esq., of New York, on this subject, That Freemasonry did not exist prior to the last century." The important TRUTH that follows irresistibly and conclusively is this, that Freemasonry, with all its pretensions, is a MODERN FORG ERY, and, of course, AN INFAMOUS IMPOSTURE. What other conclusions can be drawn? A deed, a note, a bond, or any other instrument forged, is not only declared null and void, but its author, his aiders and abettors are subject to infamous punishment. Like a spurious coin, Freemasonry is proved a counterfeit. Many, with pure motives, have heretofore given it currency; but now it is detected and exposed, every honest man will assist in nailing it to the counter.

After the Suffolk Committee had ascertained the truth, and the whole truth, as to the origin of the Masonic Institution, preparations were made for the First Antimasonic State Convention of Massachusetts. That body assembled in this Hall, on the 30th of December, 1829; and consisted of about 200 members, from eight counties of this Commonwealth. They proceeded in great har mony, and their doings have been well received, and extensively useful to the public.

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That Convention took measures to diffuse information, and appointed various committees for that purpose. They Resolved, that the gentlemen composing "the Suffolk Committee" be the State Committee," with power to carry into effect the objects of that body.

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Among the numerous disclosures made to your Committee, was the deposition of Mr. Samuel G. Anderton, of this city. The importance of that document is such, that it demands the closest scrutiny. About six or eight months before, a gentlemen of undoubted veracity and respectability, stated, that his neighbour, Mr. Anderton, a Knight Templar, and a man with whom he had been long acquainted, told him, in conversation on the subject of Freemasonry, that "he once saw something in the Lodge-room, that induced him, on going to sea, soon after, to throw his apron, and all his masonic certificates, overboard, and that he had not been in a Lodge-room since. But that Mr. Anderton refused to tell what it was." After the death of Mr. Artemas Kennedy, of Milton, a seceding Knight Templar, who was found dead, at low water mark," on the morning of the 27th of February, 1830, and under circumstan ces, which created strong suspicions, in the minds of many, that he was murdered by persons unknown, Mr. Anderton informed the gentleman before alluded to, of the Belfast Murder, of which he was an eye witness; and that he was ready and desirous of making an affidavit to the same. He also stated in a public meeting, at Merchants' Hall soon after, the substance of his narrative. Inquir ies were made, and a committee raised immediately, to investigate his character for truth and veracity. His uniform character was that of a frank, openhearted, honest seaman. No one could be found, who ever doubted his word, or ever heard his character for truth and veracity called in question. His deposition, dated on the 15th of March, and several reports on his character, and the evi dence that has since appeared in support of his testimony, are before the public.

Mr. Anderton has fared as other seceders have done," who have gone the way before him." Every attempt has been made to weaken and destroy the credibility of his testimony. But in this respect, all the efforts of the Fraternity, hitherto, have only tended to strengthen and confirm the truth of his statement. Many facts yet remain to be brought out respecting that horrid transaction. Several witnesses are known, but the fear of masonic vengeance from the brotherhood, prevents them, as yet, from giving their testimony. At present, your Committee consider it proved beyond a reasonable doubt, that WILLIAM MILLER, of Belfast, Ireland, was MURDERED in a ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER OF FREEMASONS, as sworn to by Mr. Samuel G. Anderton: that his "dead body" was seen 66 Lime Kiln Dock, the next day, by a concourse of spectators," as sworn to by Mrs. Agnes Bell, who says she "touched it with her foot" that the testimony of these two credible, and eye witnesses, has been corroborated by the statements made by eight or ten other persons now in the United States, but then in Ireland,-and that no witness has yet appeared to disprove any part of this testimony. Masons at Belfast have denied it, so far as they were concerned. But their statement will be found, on close examination, to be a quibble upon words, and, in several important points, confirmatory of Anderton's testimony.*

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At the April and May elections for 1830, Antimasonry in Massachusetts again appeared at the polls. In the Senate, composed of forty members, were THREE Antimasons, and from twenty to twentyfive members in the House, out of four hundred and fifty-one. The meritorious services of these patriots are remembered. But the conspicuous part taken, the eminent talents displayed, and the powerful effect produced by ONE reverend and honorable gentleman in the Senate, cannot be forgotten. His name need not be mentioned, for it is engraven on our hearts, and is destined to live in the history of our country. He has led the forlorn hope of Antimasonry in Massachusetts, and gone up over his enemies in triumph. He has poured destruction along the ranks of the Fraternity, marshalled for his overthrow, and put them to flight. He has destroyed the bonds of their obligations, and freed many from their allegiance to masonic tyranny. In proportion to his eminent services, have all the formidable engines of falsehood and slander been brought out against him. But the blamelessness of his life, and the purity of his character have been his protection. He has the honour of first moving in the Senate " A PROHIBITION OF EXTRA JUDICIAL OATHS," of maintaining his ground; of overwhelming the champion of the order, and of fearlessly vindicating the liberties of his country.

The part taken by Samuel French, Esq., of Berkley, in the House, was highly honourable, and has been duly appreciated by the intelligent citizens of the County of Bristol, in their late elections to the Senate.

And the honour of stripping the MONSTER, Freemasonry, of its false guises, when introduced to the House, by the Grand Lodge, is justly due to those talented gentlemen, Messrs. Lazell and Brigham. Like giants, they spared not till its naked deformity was disclosed.

* See the last able report of the Boston Investigating Committee on this subject..