The D. Grand Sire then read the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of the United States. The following additional Section to the Constitution of the Grand Lodge, proposed in the interim, was taken up for consideration. SECTION IV. ARTICLE 22. All lodges acting under the Grand Lodge of the United States, when having five Past Grands, are at liberty to petition the Grand Lodge for a Grand Charter, with the different degrees, belonging to a Grand Lodge, the same not before granted to a subordinate lodge, so as to enable them to have a state Grand Lodge for the government of such state, as the same may require. ARTICLE, 23. That a state Grand Charter together with the Golden Rule, and Royal Purple or fifth degrees, be charged at twenty dollars, to be paid for on delivery, and all necessary expenses incurred, shall be paid by such state as shall apply for the same. The question was then taken on the two additional articles, and unanimously adopted. The Patriarchal degree having been received from England since the adoption of the Constitution. On motion, it was Resolved, That two dollars and fifty cents be charged for the same, in addition to the thirty dollars for a charter and degrees for a subordinate lodge. Rep. Small, of Pennsylvania, and P. D. G. M. Richardson, of the same state, delivered complimentary addresses to the Grand Lodge, on the state of the Order, and the flattering manner of their reception. Rep. Small, of Pennsylvania, then asked and obtained leave of absence. The Representative having retired, P. G. John Boyd, Proxy of said state, then resumed his seat in the Grand Lodge, when on motion, it was Resolved, That the thanks of the Grand Lodge be presented to Rep. Small for his visit and his attention to the duties of his office. A communication was received from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, stating that they had established the fourth subordinate lodge in the city of Philadelphia-also, one from the Grand Lodge of New York, that the lodge at Pleasant valley, Dutchess county, had applied for and received a charter, and that they had established a subordinate lodge at Albany, and expected to institute one at Poughkeepsie in a short time. On motion, the Grand Lodge closed the Annual Session. WILLIAM WILLIAMS, Grand Secretary. Annual Report of the Grand Lodges to the R. W. Grand Lodge of the United States, I. O. O. F., commencing February, 1825, and ending April, 1826. SPECIAL COMMITTEE MEETINGS. BALTIMORE, October 3d, 1826. The Special Committee convened this day, at Odd Fellows' Hall, city of Baltimore, at the call of the M. W. Grand Sire, and was duly opened. THOMAS WILDEY, M. W. G. Sire, presiding. The D. Grand Sire stated that the Special Committee was assembled for the purpose of hearing the report of the Grand Sire. Whereupon, the M. W. Grand Sire, submitted the following: Officers and Representatives: The Grand Sire respectfully reports: That after a passage of twenty-one days, he arrived at Liverpool, and visited the lodges, but being desirous of reaching Manchester, he took leave of the brethren there, and proceeded on his journey. On arriving at Manchester, he was received with open arms by a few of the brothers. The Corresponding Secretary was ordered to prepare notices for the assembling of the Order on the following day, at 4 o'clock, P. M., and at the appointed time, he met about six or seven hundred of the brethren, and all seemed overjoyed at his arrival. After some preliminary business had been gone through with, the Grand Sire, delivered an address which was received with approbation. It will appear in the next number of the English Magazine. For six successive nights during his stay among them, he frequently visited two lodges of an evening; a conveyance was in attendance to take him from place to place, and at all of the lodges, he explained to them the plan on which the lodges worked in the United States. Several committee meetings were held for the transaction of business with him, during his stay in Manchester. The Grand Sire attended several public dinners at which much good humor prevailed, and the healths of the Grand Masters of Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania, with their officers, were severally drank, confirmed by the honors of the Order. Several alterations have taken place in the work of the Order, which the Grand Sire is of the opinion may be productive of service to the Order. * The Grand Sire presented the committee of the Manchester Unity with the Covenant and Remembrance degrees, which were approved of by them, and were left for their adoption. Before leaving Manchester, the brethren being desirous of bestowing a mark of respect on the Grand Sire, but considering the subject of a delicate nature, they resolved that the same should be intimated to him by the Grand Treasurer, privately, which was accordingly done, by suggesting a gold medal as suitable. The Grand Sire replied, that if it was their wish to present him with a token of their esteem, he would prefer, to anything else, a charter for the Grand Lodge of the United States, confirming the one granted by the ⚫ Covenant and Remembrance Degrees.-It does not here appear, but the English minutes show that the Grand Lodge Degree was also presented by G. S. Wildey at the same time, and that the three degrees were actually adopted by the Special Committee, and ordered into immediate use. The A. M. C. of 1827, though it sanctioned the Covenant and Remembrance, refused concurrence in the action of the committee relative to the Grand Lodge Degree, and rejected it. Ꭰ Duke of York Lodge, Preston. To this suggestion, they instantly promised compliance, and on his return from London, he was presented with a charter, splendidly executed on parchment, through the hands of G. M. Thomas Derbyshire, in a suitable manner; when the Corresponding Secretary of the district, accompanied the delivery with a highly complimentary address. From Manchester the Grand Sire proceeded to London, where he was received in a highly gratifying manner. While visiting the lodges there, he observed an emblem representing the foundation stone laid by our forefather Adam, and procured one, which he now presents to the Grand Lodge. After leaving London, he returned to Manchester, and visited the country lodges, where he was met by a very numerous body of the Order, who congratulated him in a highly gratifying manner. The report of the Grand Sire having been read, on motion, the following were adopted: Resolved, That the charter presented to this body by the Grand Annual Moveable Committee connected with the Manchester Unity, dated May 15th, 1826, be, and the same is hereby accepted. Resolved, That the thanks of this Grand Lodge be voted to the officers and brothers of the Manchester district, for the hospitable manner in which they received and entertained our worthy Grand Sire, during his late visit to England. Resolved, That the Grand Secretary communicate this vote of thanks, and the same be entered on the minutes. • The Charter.-The following is a copy of the Charter so accepted: I. O. O. F. "This Dispensation, granted by consent of the Grand Master and past and present Officers from various Lodges connected with the Manchester Unity, assembled in Grand Committee. "In consideration of the Charter formerly granted by the Duke of York Lodge, Preston, to certain Officers and Brothers of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Baltimore, in the United States of America, We, the undersigned respectively, Officers of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Great Britain, do ratify, grant and confirm such Charter; and also, hereby grant, authorize and empower the Grand Sire, Deputy Grand Sire, Representatives and Proxies of the Grand Lodge of the United States of America, to conduct the business of Odd Fellowship, without the interference of any other country, so long as the same is administered according to the principles and purity of Odd Fel lowship. This Charter being granted as a free gift from the Grand Annual Moveable Committee, in Manchester, assembled on the 15th day of May, in the year 1826. "In witness whereof, we have hereunto affixed our seals, displayed the colours of our Order, and subscribed our names the day and year above written. WILLIAM ARMIT, G. M. THOMAS DERBYSHIRE, D. G. M. (Seal] MARK WADDLE, P. G. and C. S. [Seal.] BEAUMONT HODGSON, Trea. [Seal.] ROBERT NAYLOR, Pr. G. M. [Seal.] MOSES LEE, Pr. P. G. M. [Seal.] [Seal] [Seal] [Seal.] [Seal.] • Vote of Thanks.-The following is a copy of the official communication accompanying the vote of thanks: "P. G. Mark Wardle, Corresponding Secretary, Manchester District: "Baltimore, Oct. 18th, 1826. "Sir and Brother-You will perceive by the above resolves, that it has become my duty, and I assure you it is a very pleasing one, to communicate to you a vote of thanks for the honors conferred on us, by the very polite and generous treatment shown our worthy Grand Sire, during the time he sojourned among you. "Callous indeed must be my feelings, could I comply with the bare formalities attending the voca tion of the duty of my office, without adding a few words of my own on the subject, and in assum them as my own. Itrespass on the right of others, for I feel convinced that there is not a member of the Order here, who does not freely and largely participate in them; and the affectionate manner in which our Grand Sire spoke of your treatment, leaves not a doubt but that he too feels the full weight of the obligation you have imposed on him, and for which neither he individually, or the lodge as a body, can consider ourselves exonerated in whole or part, until we have an opportunity of receiving a deputation from our trans-atlantic brethren of the honorable Order of Odd Fellows. "Leaving an affectionate family, and extensive business, which require a vast deal of personal attention. G. S. Wildey, fully aware of the incidents dangerous to the voyage, feeling the great benefit that would result to the Order, resolved on the undertaking, tremblingly alive to the reception he might meet with, and the importance of the trust imposed on him. Resolved, That the foregoing be forwarded by the Grand Secretary to the state Grand Lodges. On motion, the Special Committee closed. WILLIAM WILLIAMS, Grand Secretary. BALTIMORE, October 30th, 1826. The Special Committee convened this day, at Odd Fellows' Hall, city of Baltimore, at the call of the M. W. Grand Sire, and was duly opened. THOMAS WILDEY, M. W. G. Sire, presiding. The Grand Sire stated that the Special Committee was assembled for the purpose of considering a letter received from P. G. Benjamin Downing, of New York, requesting a warrant or dispensation for Providence, R. I. When, on motion, the following was adopted: Resolved, That the Grand Secretary be directed to answer the said letter, giving him the necessary information how to proceed to establish a lodge at the place aforesaid. On motion, the Special Committee closed. WILLIAM WILLIAMS, Grand Secretary. "The heavens seemed to prosper our cause, for the good of our fellow-man; and although he arrived out in an extraordinary short passage, the thought of home, sweet home, had gathered clouds around his brow, which were speedily removed by the kind reception he met with at your hands; his every hour made joyous by your unwearied attention, and the sympathy felt for his safe return, all conspired to render it, as he himself happily describes it, the most agreeably painful period of his life. "It gives me pleasure to be enabled to state, that his voyage home, though not as short as the one out, was agreeable; and though in the gale of the 8th and 9th, when so much havoc was made among the shipping generally on the ocean, they escaped miraculously uninjured, clearly evinces the hand of Providence in support of our cause. "The charter granted by you, and presented to the Grand Sire, has been received, and is a proud ornament to our lodge room. This will be spoken more largely of hereafter. "In conclusion, let me assure you the bonds of union subsisting between Odd Fellows are strongly cementing, and that the recent visit of G. S. Wildey will have a very favorable effect in that respect. "Wishing you individually, and for brethren generally, health, happiness and prosperity here, and eternal happiness hereafter, and that we may soon have the pleasure of some of your company, "I remain, sir and brother, yours, fraternally, in F. L. and T. "W. WILLIAMS, G. S. of U. S. "P. S. The Grand Sire desires me to present to you, and through you, to the officers and brethren of the district, his best respects, and desires me to say, that he will take an early opportunity to acknowledge the obligations he stands under to you. W. WILLIAMS. "Approved-THOMAS WILDEY, G. S. of the G. L. of U. S." To which the following reply was in due time received: "Manchester, January 8th, 1827. "Dear Sir and Brother-Yours, announcing the safe arrival of G. S. Wildey, gave much pleasure and satisfaction to all those who heard me read it. I am sorry that the letter cannot now be circulated throughout the Order, by the Magazine, as I have been compelled, for want of support, to discontinue the work. Want of money among the working classes is the principal cause. "I have nothing new or of moment to communicate. The Independent Order is in a most flourishing state here, considering the depression of trade, which, I am sorry to say, is as bad as ever. If money were more plentiful, I verily believe we should initiate the whole country. "I should have written you sooner, but for the difficulty of getting the parcel sent off The Liverpool lodges, though in compliance, are not to be depended upon; G. S. Wildey can satisfy you on that head. Brother Sissons (brother-in-law to brother Hodgson) is now at my elbow, waiting to take this to Liverpool; he belongs to our lodge, and I can rely on his punctuality. "In requesting you, sir, to present my most sincere congratulations to your worthy Grand Sire on. his arrival, I can safely affirm, that I convey the feeling of the whole district. You could not have sent out a more proper pilgrim. His mild and ready, though always manly answers, the general Sauvity of his manners, added to his simple and unaffected style of delivery, rendered him justly the admiration of all who saw him. In addition, I must say, that those who like myself had the pleasure of being most frequently with him, respect him the most. "Accept for yourself, dear sir and brother, my best wishes for your welfare and for the prosperity of American Odd Fellowship, and believe me to be, in bonds of F. L. and T., yours truly, "MARK WADDLE, C. S. "To G. S. WILLIAM WILLIAMS, Baltimore. "The vote of thanks to Manchester will be laid before our next committee, and noticed in the March minutes." ANNUAL COMMUNICATION OF THE GRAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES, Held at the City of Baltimore, May, 1827. BALTIMORE, May 1st, 1827. The R. W. Grand Lodge convened this day, at Odd Fellows' Hall, city of Baltimore, being the regular Annual Communication,* when the following were present: THOMAS WILDEY, THOMAS CHARTRES, G. M. THOMAS SCOTCHBURN, P. G. RICHARD MARLEY, M. W. G. Sire. R. W. D. G. Sire, p. t. Proxy Rep. of Massachusetts. The credentials of D. G. M. John Pearce, Rep. of Pennsylvania, were presented and found correct. The Grand Secretary then read the proceedings of the last Annual Communication, together with the Constitution, and all proceedings which has taken place during the past year, including the correspondence between the Grand Secretary and the Corresponding Secretary of the Manchester district; together with an extract from the Manchester Odd Fellows' Magazine, which were approved, and ordered to be printed. Communications were received from the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, by which it appears the correspondence between that Grand Lodge and this body, has met with some interruption, which it is presumed will be rectified in future, through the exertions of G. M. Hersey. They also convey the pleasing intelligence of the formation of a new lodge in that state, at the flourishing village of Taunton, thirty-two miles from Boston. It is styled "Good Samaritan Lodge, No. 3;" and strong hopes exist that it will rise rapidly. Communications were also received from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, setting forth that they are likewise going on prosperously, and requesting answers to many questions sent, which were inserted among the minutes of proceedings for compliance. A communication was then read from the Grand Lodge of New York, giving information that they are progressing steadily, and are now in a flourishing condition. Rep. Scotchburn, of Maryland, communicated the intention of the Grand Lodge of Maryland to have a copper-plate engraved for travelling certifi • Annual Communication.-The minutes of this communication. were the first which were pub lished, and circulated among the Order. |