vantagious point of location, I, in connection with several Past Grands of Pennsylvania, visited their lodge and found them pleased with the idea of selecting the most central situation, and willing to sacrifice local advantages for the general advancement of the Order in their state. After some consultation it was determined upon among us, that as Trenton was the capital of the state, and also the most eligible and central, if possible the Grand Lodge be located there. Having effected the object of my visit at Camden, in accordance with your resolution of 1830, making it my duty to effect an amicable arrangement of the difficulties* existing between the Grand Lodge of the United States and the Grand Lodges of the states of New York and Massachusetts. In the endeavour to accomplish the object of that resolution, I determined to visit those states-previous to my entering upon my delegated duties in those states, as the town of Paterson could be approached without deviating far from my direct route, I conceived it most advisable to visit there. The brothers of the lodge then in operation, and from which, as I in a former part of my report have informed you, a petition had been received to open a Grand Lodge. I met the brethren assembled in their lodge, and after apprizing them of the many difficulties which would result from having the Grand Lodge located in either extremes of the state, found them equally willing with their brothers of Camden, to sacrifice personal advantages for their mutual advancement. I did upon their united application, grant them a warrant to open a Grand Lodge at Trenton. It having been determined by the mechanics of Paterson to form a procession in celebrating the anniversary of our country's Independence, the lodge had been politely invited to join in the commemoration. Coming thus opportunely amongst them, I was petitioned to grant them a warrant to open an Encampment, and solicited to join in the procession, and at its close, as a large assembly of members was anticipated, to install the officers and form it: from which circumstance, apprehending no great delay and much advantage, I acquiesced with them, and promised, would circumstances admit, to be with them on that day.

Having for the present left the brothers of Paterson, I repaired to the city of New York, and on my visiting the subordinate lodges, was most agreeably disappointed; for reports had led me to conclude that my worst anticipations would be more than realized; but I found them men zealous in the good cause of Odd Fellowship, and wanting only that stimulant which an enterprizing Grand Lodge should exert, to give them that impetus which Odd-Fellowship has attained in more southern sister states. It was with much regret I learned from the members there, that for upwards of thirteen months they had received no information from their Grand Lodge, not even a receipt for the amount of per centage paid them. Finding they had been thus neglected by their Grand Lodge, I gave them every information in my power; urging them to persevere in the good cause of Odd-Fellowship and departed for Albany, the seat of their Grand Lodge, where I arrived and visited the Grand Master of the state, and with

• The difficulties.-These difficulties, so frequently alluded to in the previous minutes, relate to the delinquencies of the Grand Lodges of Massachusetts and New York, in the payment of the assessed proportion of expenses. The accounts show that the Grand Lodge first named had failed to make any payment into the funds of the Grand Lodge of the United States, from 1824 up to the time its charter was recalled; and that the Grand Lodge of New York stood indebted on the same account from 1829 to 1833.

no little difficulty, through the exertions of the officers and myself, was finally enabled to meet a barely sufficient number of members to form a quorum for opening. The fault of communication with the subordinate lodges, as well as with the Grand Lodge of the United States, was attributed to the Grand Secretary-however, I myself would think the other offi cers of the Grand Lodge equally deserving of censure; it being their duty to have the business of the Order properly conducted. But it was with much regret indeed, that I witnessed the lukewarmness which seems to pervade the Grand Lodge of New York-had not my greatest exertions been used in assembling the members of that body, though you have invested me with the exalted dignity of Sire of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in these United States, I would have been compelled to leave the seat of the Grand Lodge of New York without having been welcomed to their city by them.

There is partially yet in existence one subordinate Encampment, but I have been informed by some of the members it is with difficulty that they can assemble sufficient members to enable them to work. Brothers, I am sorry to make such statements as these are; but duty to the Order compels me, and such is the state of affairs in the once flourishing Grand Lodge of New York. Yes, brothers, while the banner of our Order is being unfurled as far west as civilized man dare penetrate-while hundreds are flocking to our standards in the most southern extreme of our country— while, from the Atlantic to our inland seas, the Order is spreading with an impetus unequalled by our most sanguine anticipations, the east, the very cradle of Odd Fellowship, by an inertness of the governing powers, is suffering the Order to become paralyzed. I must, however, not omit informing you, that the officers of the Grand Lodge have promised me that the duties of the Order shall in future be more rigidly adhered to in the state of New York; and for the purpose of effecting a more sure communication between the working lodges and Grand Lodge, and also between the state Grand Lodge and the Grand Lodge of the United States, they have determined to locate in the city of New York, either a state or district deputy Grand Master.

After a delay of four days at Albany, I again returned to New York city, from whence I again proceeded to Philadelphia, where I made arrangements for procuring banners for the intended procession of the brothers in Paterson. Having arranged my business in Philadelphia, I departed for Paterson, where I arrived on the 3d of July-on the 4th, agreeably with previous arrangements, the procession was formed and joined in the celebration of the anniversary of our counry's Independence. After the ceremonies of the day, the Encampment was duly opened, and a number of members regularly initiated.

No other matters detaining me at Paterson, I left the brothers of the lodge, to perform the duties assigned to me with the Grand Lodge of the state of Massachusetts-determining, as it could be accomplished without much inconvenience, to visit the brothers of Friendly Union Lodge, located in the town of Providence, R. I.. I am sorry to say I found them in rather an unfavorable state; many of the old members had left the town in consequence of the decline of business; the remaining few seem energetic members, and I hope their exertions will resuscitate the Order amongst

them. Having remained two days with the brothers of Providence, I took my departure from them, and on the 14th of the month, arrived at Taunton; I visited the brothers of the Good Samaritan Lodge, No. 3-owing to the neglect of the Grand Lodge of the state, in not forwarding necessary information, and using exertions to support the lodge, it had fallen into an unprospering condition. Near two years had elapsed since they had received any communication from them; and many of their members having left that section of the state, the lodge has been reduced to eight members only-but those eight worthy, zealous, persevering Odd Fellows, have determined not to suffer the Order to become extinct in the town of Taunton. To enable them the better to carry into effect their resolution of cherishing the Order amongst themselves and brothers of the town, they are anxious to be taken uuder the immediate jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the United States. After promising to visit them on my return, I again departed for Boston, the seat of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts; but here, to my sorrow, I was informed that neither Grand nor subordinate lodge longer existed. I visited a few of the Past Grands-few they were indeed they informed me that the Grand Master had removed from the city, and that all my efforts to again open the Grand Lodge would be useless; for the last four years dissensions and discord has alone prevailed, until finally they had come to the determination to sell their regalia, pay their rent, and close their doors. The per centage from the Lowell and Taunton lodges had been forwarded to them; but they, instead of paying their quota of the expenses of the Grand Lodge of the United States, expended it in defraying the expenses of their subordinate lodge in Boston. Finding the Grand Lodge so completely dissolved, I used my exertions to induce the brothers to open one of the subordinate lodges; authorised them only to admit such brothers as they should determine worthy and deserving members; and I have now the satisfaction of anticipating in this lodge, a nucleus round which many will form. On the 17th, I arrived at Lowell, and had the pleasure of meeting with many of the old members of Merrimack Lodge, as well as some brothers from other lodges. Their lodge was defunct, but stated they would be much pleased to be again reopened, could they only get such information as was needed, from the Grand Lodge of the United States, to preserve their existence and connexion with other lodges. Their complaint in regard to their state Grand Lodge, was similar to that of the brothers of Taunton. I cannot here omit noticing the feelings of affection and respect evinced by the brothers of this lodge towards our beloved Order. They had used every effort to preserve themselves as a lodge; but finding their existence no longer possible, they determined, as their last sacrifice to Odd Fellowship, in one funeral pile to destroy every vestige of the Order, which was not convenient for them to preserve.

Finding them, though thus disbanded, still zealous for the welfare and advancement of the Order, I used my efforts, and assisted by some of the brothers, obtained a meeting of twenty members; to whom I promised the protection of the Grand Lodge of the United States, and over whom I installed officers. I left the lodge in effective operation, and from the unremitted perseverance of the officers and members, I think we may anticipate prosperity to the lodge.

On the 20th of the month, I again arrived in Boston, and after having remained there two days, and finding it impossible again to organize the Grand Lodge of the state, I organized the subordinate lodge, entitled Adam Lodge, No. 6; their members were but few, but they have every prospect of an increase, and should the officers exercise that zeal for the promotion of our Order, which their duty imperiously demands, ere long it will again resume that standing which it formerly held in the state of Massachusetts. Having thus arranged the business of the Order to the best of my abilities in the state of Massachusetts, I departed for Trenton, in the state of New Jersey, and on my way thither, visited again the lodges in Providence and New York. Having there arrived, in acquiescence with the Past Grands of the state, I granted a warrant for opening a Grand Lodge in the state of New Jersey.* The Past Grands having been assembled, and an election entered into, the following members were declared the duly elected officers, viz:

John Pearce, Grand Master; Crispin Taylor, D. G. Master; Wm. Thompson, G. Warden; S. Sutton, G. Secretary; Treasurer; John Pearce, G. Representative.

Graham, G.

The Grand Lodge was then duly instituted, and the Officers installed in their various offices. After which a petition was received from sundry brothers of Trenton, for a charter to open a subordinate lodge, which was granted. The lodge has since been opened and is now working.

On my return towards home, I visited the Degree Lodges and Encampments in the city of Philadelphia, and am pleased to inform you that they are all still in successful operation. No other business detaining me here, I departed for Wilmington; where, after arriving, I visited the Encampment; and I am pleased to say, I found them in a more flourishing condition than my most sanguine wishes could have anticipated. Perfect harmony seems to exist amongst the members, and the only jealousy which seems to be produced, is the desire to excel in the duties of Odd Fellowship. After an absence of near three months, on the 15th of August, I again had the pleasure of being welcomed to my home.

Brothers, the duties you had assigned me were arduous-I have endeavoured to perform them-I may not have altogether accomplished the object of my mission-but what circumstances have enabled me to do, has been done; and I now respectfully submit the same to you.

THOMAS WILDEY, Grand Sire.

Rep. Pearce, of New York, moved that the Grand Sire's report be referred to a committee of three, with directions to report such parts as they may believe require the serious consideration of the Grand Lodge.

The Grand Sire announced as the committee, Rep's Pearce, of New York; Hopkins, of Pennsylvania; and Ridgely, of Ohio.

A petition was received from brothers John M. Wolfe, John Spalding, Smith Rockwell, T. W. Hays, Richard Eno, William P. Dunton, and John Wilson, praying for a charter for a lodge, to be located at Norfolk, Virginia, and hailed by the title of "Washington Lodge, No. 2," and to be attached to the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Maryland.

On motion, the petition was referred to a special committee of three.

* Grand Lodge in the State of New Jersey.-This opening occurred on the 3d of August, 1833.

The Grand Sire appointed Rep's Pearce, of New York; Hopkins, of Pennsylvania; and Robinson, of Delaware, the committee.

A letter was received from brother Gettys, Grand Sire elect, informing the Grand Lodge that his absence from the meeting was caused by indisposition, and that he expects to arrive in Baltimore to-morrow.

On motion, the Grand Lodge adjourned, to meet to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock.

TUESDAY, September 3d, 9 o'clock, A. M.

The Grand Lodge met pursuant to adjournment: Present, the same Officers and Representatives as yesterday.

The Grand Sire communicated to the Grand Lodge, the resignation of P. G. Brannan, G. Treasurer elect, which was accepted.

The Grand Lodge then proceeded to the election of Grand Treasurer, when, P. D. G. M. AUGUSTUS MATHIOT, was unanimously elected.

P. G. Sire Wildey, previous to leaving the chair, delivered the following

BRETHREN:

FAREWELL ADDRESS.

The period has now arrived when the long and arduous relations existing between us is about to be dissolved, and the duties of the high office you have called me to discharge for the last eight years, are to be surrendered to that authority from which it emanated. It is indeed, my brethren, with mingled feelings of pleasure and pride that I retire from office. The pleasure which the retrospect affords, and pride at the unparalleled prosperity which our beloved Order exhibits. Profoundly sensible of the distinguished honor you have conferred upon me, and penetrated with a lively sense of gratitude, I should be callous to the best feelings of our nature, did I permit this occasion to pass without thus publicly giving vent to the emotions of my heart.

In the long official career which your confidence has been pleased to mark out for me, many things, I doubt not, have occurred, perhaps irregular and indiscreet. Such, my brethren, you may rest assured, have been errors of the head, and intended in good part by your first officer-such errors as have not, happily, worked any injury to the gigantic march of our devoted institution. It is needless for me to recount to you, who are so well acquainted with the facts, the brilliant history of our Order, during the last eight years, in these United States. It has earned for itself its own monuments, and attained its long denied rank in the scale of human charitable institutions. And I trust nothing shall occur to oppose its onward march to still greater pre-eminence and distinction. Friendship, Love, and Truth are its animating principles, and should be deservedly cherished by us as the great pillars of social intercourse and human happiness.

Το you especially, my brethren, the Representatives of the states, am I indebted. To your friendly council, salutary admonition, and useful instruction, much is due by the fraternity, for your vigilance and industry for the welfare of the Order at large. To your unceasing labors, and judicious legislation, the Order is indebted for a wise and able Constitu