Annual Report of the Grand and Subordinate Lodges to the R. W. Grand Lodge of the United States, I. O. O. F., commencing May, 1827, and ending May, 1828.

In Maryland-William Williams, for breach of trust, &c.; Jeremiah F. Craig, and David Ramsey.

In New York-Samuel Lea, James Taylor, Samuel Read, William Barkewdorff, Augustus Frederick Foy, Robert Wolfenden, Elias Winworth, John Booth, John Rayle, John Aimes, William Sympson, Lawrence Kealey, and Mark Killen, members of Strangers' Refuge Lodge. In Pennsylvania-Jacob Brewer, William Clifton, William T. Palmer and George Keidder.

SPECIAL COMMITTEE MEETINGS.

BALTIMORE, September 28th, 1828.

The Grand Committee met pursuant to the call of the M. W. Grand Sire, and opened in regular form. THOMAS WILDEY, M. W. G. Sire, presiding.

The Grand Sire stated that the Grand Committee was assembled, for the purpose of considering a petition for a charter for a Grand Lodge, to be located at Washington City, D. C.

Whereupon, a petition was presented from P. G's Thomas M. Abbett, and John Wells, of Lodge, No. 1, and Robert Boyd, James Gettys and James Ashton, of Lodge No. 2, praying for a charter for a Grand Lodge, to be located at Washington, D. C. and that their names be inserted in the body of the charter.

The petition having been duly considered.

On motion, it was unanimously

Resolved, That the petition be granted as prayed, and that the Grand Lodge✶ be located at the City of Washington, D. C.

The Grand Lodge.-The opening of this Grand Lodge took place, as arranged, on the 24th November, 1828, when the following Grand Officers were installed into their respective chairs, to wit: Thomas M. Abbett, G. M.; James Gettys, D. G. M.; John Wells, jr., G. S.; Robert Boyd, G. W.; James Ashton, G. G.; Francis King, G. C.'

G. Sire Wildey announced that he would open said Grand Lodge in person, on the 24th day of November, 1828.

On motion, the Grand Committee closed.

JOHN J. ROACH, Grand Cor. and Rec. Secretary.

BALTIMORE, March 30th, 1829.

The Grand Committee met pursuant to the call of the M. W. Grand Sire, and opened in regular form. THOMAS WILDEY, M. W. G. Sire, presiding.

The Grand Sire announced, that the Special Committee was convened for the purpose of acting on a petition for a charter for a lodge to be located at Camden, New Jersey.

A petition was then presented from brothers George Dare, William A. H. Dare, Howell Stokes, William Middleton and George Roseman, praying for a charter for a lodge to be located at Camden, New Jersey, and to be hailed by the title of New Jersey Lodge, No. 1.

The application was favorably received.
When, on motion, the following was adopted,

Resolved, That the prayer of the petitioners be granted.
On motion, the Grand Committee closed.

JOHN STARR, Grand Secretary, pro tem.

BALTIMORE, April 10th, 1829.

The Grand Committee assembled, pursuant to the call of the M. W. Grand Sire, and opened in regular form. THOMAS WILDEY, M. W. G. Sire, presiding.

The Grand Sire announced that the Special Committee was called together for the purpose of receiving a petition for a charter for a lodge to be located at Patterson, New Jersey.

Whereupon, the Grand Sire, presented a petition from brothers John Armitage, Abraham Douckersly, William Williams, John Douckersly, and James McKim, praying for a charter for a lodge to be located at Patterson, New Jersey, and hailed by the title of Benevolent Lodge, No. 2. After mature deliberation, on motion, the following was adopted. Resolved, That the prayer of the petitioners be granted.

On motion, the Grand Committee closed.

JOHN STARR, Grand Secretary, pro tem.

ANNUAL COMMUNICATION

OF THE

GRAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES,

Held at the City of Baltimore, May, 1829.

MONDAY, May 4th, 1829.

The R. W. Grand Lodge convened this day, at Odd Fellows' Hall, city of Baltimore, being the regular Annual Communication, when the follow

ing were present:

THOMAS WILDEY,

JOHN WELCH,

JOHN STARR,
ROBERT GOTT,

G. M. JOHN ROACH,

P. D. G. M. CHARLES BRICE,
P. G. RICHARD MARLEY,
P. G. JOHN H. CAMPBELL,
G. M. THOMAS M. ABBETT,

M. W. G. Sire.

R. W. D. G. Sire.
R. W. G. Secretary, p. t.
W. G. Guardian, p. t.
Rep. of Maryland."
Proxy Rep. of Massachusetts.
Proxy Rep. of New York.
Rep. of Pennsylvania.
Rep. of Dist. of Columbia.

The credentials of the Representatives of Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania and District of Columbia, were examined and found

correct.

The D. Grand Sire asked and obtained leave of absence, during the Session.

P. G. M. Thomas Scotchburn, was appointed D. Grand Sire, p. t. The Grand Secretary, being absent from the city, P. G. John Starr, was appointed Grand Secretary, p. t.

The proceedings of the last Annual Communication, and Committee Meetings of September 28th, 1828, March 30th, and April 10th, 1829, were read and approved.

Communications from the several Grand Lodges, were then read and placed on file.

The D. Grand Sire read the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of the United States; also, the yearly and quarterly communications of the Grand Moveable Committee of Manchester Unity, together with a letter from Corresponding Secretary Wardle, addressed to G. Sire Wildey, in pursuance to the 18th resolution, adopted by that body, at their Annual Session in May last.

The Grand Secretary read a letter addressed by G. Sire Wildey in reply thereto, when on motion, it was

Resolved, That the answer to the communication of the Manchester Unity Annual Moveable Committee, of our worthy Grand Sire, meets the entire approbation of the Grand Lodge of the United States.

Rep. Roach, of Maryland,presented the report of the Grand Lodge of Maryland, communicating the intelligence of the Order being in a flourishing condition, and that all their deliberations were performed in a spirit of harmony and brotherly love, and that their financial concerns were in a prosperous condition.

Rep. Brice of Massachusetts, reported that the Grand Lodge of that state had granted two subordinate charters to lodges, which have been regularly opened, to be entitled "Washington Lodge, No. 5," to be located at Roxbury, and the other to " Adam Lodge, No. 6," to be located at Charlestown: he likewise reported very unfavorably on the condition of the Order in that state, that at this time the Grand Master was entirely without officers, and that contention, discord and jealousy, characterized the most of their proceedings.

Rep. Marley, of New York, presented the report of the Grand Lodge of that state, conveying the intelligence of two new lodges being established and regularly chartered, entitled "Good Intent, No. 6," located at Columbiaville, Columbia County, and "Clinton, No. 7," at Albany, and that the Order was in a promising situation; he likewise communicated the fact that "Strangers' Refuge Lodge," expelled, had made an application to be reinstated, promising to correct the errors of the past, and strictly to conform to the usages and regulations of the Order, and that the Grand Lodge of the state of New York, had consented to admit them under their jurisdiction, subject to the approbation of the Grand Lodge of the United States.

Whereupon, on motion, the following was adopted:

Resolved, That the Grand Lodge of the state of New York be empowered to negotiate any arrangement they may deem expedient, with "Strangers' Refuge Lodge," and have authority to reinstate that Lodge in the Independent Order, provided the said "Strangers' Refuge Lodge" refund the amount of moneys they may have received from "Benevolent Lodge," Paterson, New Jersey, and conform to the usages and regulations of the state.

Rep. Campbell, of Pennsylvania, communicated the report of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, which is of the most cheering character-gratifying to the Order, and honorable to the state.. During the last year they have regularly chartered and established seven lodges, entitled "Hermen, No. 7," at Kensington, Philadelphia county; "Rising Sun, No. 8," at Frankford, Philadelphia county; "Mechanics', No. 9," at Pittsburg, Alleghany county; "Philomethean, No. 10," at Germantown, Philadelphia county; "Kensington, No. 11," at Kensington; "Jefferson, No. 12," at Philadel phia; "Philadelphia, No. 13," at Philadelphia; and reinstated "Wayne, No. 3." Likewise, that the Grand Lodge chartered an Encampment of Patriarchs, which is not yet organized; and that they have initiated in the several lodges, from first March, 1828, to March, 1829, six hundred and eightyeight brothers having one thousand and nine contributing members, and have collected five thousand eight hundred and twelve dollars, without including lodges No. 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13, from whom no reports have been received; but it is presumed their numbers will amount to two hundred.

Rep. Ábbett, of the District of Columbia, presented the report of the Grand Lodge of the District, which states that the Order has considerably increased, and that ere long a more flattering representation may be expected.

The following amendment to the proposed Constitution having been submitted to the Grand Sire, in pursuance of Art. XXIV, was then considered and adopted, viz: by striking out the word "May," and inserting "September" in Art. IV.,-so that the Annual Meeting of the Grand Lodge of the United States, be held on the first Monday in September, hereafter.

The following resolutions were then submitted and adopted:

Resolved, That the resolution adopted at the last Annual Session, for the appointment of a Moveable Committee, be amended by striking out the words, "Representatives or Proxies," and insert "a Past Grand of any state, district, or territory Grand Lodge."

Resolved, That of moneys received by the Grand Sire for charters, as well as the per centage from subordinate lodges, acting under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the United States, the sum of one hundred dollars be retained to defray all incidental expenses; and that the Grand Sire keep a correct account of the same, and present it to the Grand Lodge of the United States, at their next Annual Session.

G. Sire Wildey then submitted the following resolution to the consideration of the Grand Lodge, which was unanimously concurred in:

Resolved, That the thanks of the Grand Lodge of the United States, be voted to the Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, officers and brothers of the Manchester Unity Annual Moveable Committee, for their unwearied exertions, tried fidelity and unremitting industry, in advancing the interest, and promoting the prosperity of the Independent Order.

On motion, the Grand Lodge of the United States proceeded to the election of Grand Sire, for the term of four years from the first Monday in May.

When P. G. M. Thomas Wildey, of Maryland, was nominated by Rep. Roach, of Maryland; and P. G. M. Prior, of Pennsylvania, was nominated by Rep. Campbell, of Pennsylvania.

The respective nominations having been called over, the Grand Lodge proceeded to vote by states; when P. G. M. Thomas Wildey, of Maryland, received the votes of the following states: Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, and the District of Columbia. P. G. M. Prior, received the vote of Pennsylvania.

Whereupon, it was declared that P. G. M. THOMAS WILDEY was duly elected Grand Sire, for the term of four years.

The Grand Lodge then proceeded to the election of a Grand Secretary, for the term of two years; when P. G. AUGUSTUS MATHIOT, was elected. G. Sire Wildey then nominated P. G. M. THOMAS SCOTCHBURN, D. Grand Sire, and P. G. ROBERT GOTT, Grand Guardian-which were approved.

The officers elect, being present, were regularly installed into their respective offices.

The Constitution submitted at the last Annual Session, and referred for consideration to the several Grand Lodges, was taken up, read by articles, and the amendment adopted at this session, was engrafted therein; when it was adopted, and became the Constitution* of this Grand Lodge. A Preamble for the Constitution was presented and adopted.

• The Constitution.-The following is the Constitution as modified and adopted at this session: "CONSTITUTION.

Preamble. Whereas, it has been found expedient and of the greatest importance to mankind to perpetuate those institutions which confer on them great and essential benefit. Therefore, we do for the more effectual purpose of binding each other in the bonds of one common union, by which we will be enabled to ensure a co-operation of action, and of providing for the best interest of our beloved Order; based as it is upon the permanent principles of universal benevolence, friendship and philan