In 1778 he was appointed a justice of the court of Common Pleas, Quarter Sessions, and Orphans' Court, which post he held for many years. He was appointed in 1781, one of the auditors of the accounts of Pennsylvania troops in the service of the United States. In 1792, and subsequently, he was chosen an alderman of the city, which was an office of great dignity in his day, and in 1794 he was elected auditor-general of Pennsylvania.
Brother Jonathan B. Smith was an active member of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. He was the Senior Grand Warden in 1786, at the time when the Provincial Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania: "Resolved, that the Grand Lodge is, and ought to be perfectly independent and free of any such foreign jurisdiction."[54]
In the two following years he was appointed Deputy Grand Master by Right Worshipful Grand Master William Adcock; he was elected Right Worshipful Grand Master in 1789 and served in that capacity for six years (1789-1794). In the year 1798 he was again elected to that honorable office, serving five more consecutive years (1798 to 1802), when he declined reëlection. The following action was taken by the Grand Lodge:[55]
"On Motion made and Seconded the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania impressed with a grateful sense of the long assiduous and highly useful labours of their late R. W. Grand Master, Bror Jonathan Bayard Smith, Esqr, previous to and during his service in the high Station which he has left, Resolved Unanimously, That the most respectful Thanks of the said G. Lodge be presented to their said Brother Jonathan Bayard Smith for the eminent services he has rendered to the Craft generally and more especially for the able, diligent and impartial manner in which he has discharged the Duties of the Chair and while they deplore the necessity of his now retiring from the Official Station amongst them which he has so Honourably filled, they hope for a continuance of his Brotherly Love, Aid and information and finally that he be requested to receive the best wishes of the Grand Lodge for a prolongation of his useful life, a commensurate enjoyment of his Health and his final Happiness in the Mansion of Everlasting Rest."
Brother Joseph Few, Deputy Grand Master, was also a Revolutionary Soldier, having served as Regimental Quarter Master with the 4th Continental Artillery.
Brother Thomas Procter, Senior Grand Warden, formerly Colonel of the Pennsylvania Artillery, and Warrant Master of the Military Lodge, No. 19, upon the Roster of Pennsylvania was prominent in both civil and political affairs during Washington's administration. A full account of Brother Thomas Procter and this Military Lodge will be found in the History of the Old Masonic Lodges of Pennsylvania, published by the Grand Lodge in 1913.[56]
For a sketch of Brother Peter Le Barbier Duplessis, the reader is referred to the same volume.[57]
Footnotes:
[49] Reprint of Minutes of Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, Vol. I, p. 178.
[50] Ibid., p. 180.
[51] Mss. Volume A, folio 17, 19, 21.
[52] Letter Book II, pp. 104-105.
[53] Cf. "Old Masonic Lodges of Pennsylvania," Vol. I, p. 201.
[54] Cf. Reprint of Minutes of Grand Lodge, Vol. I, p. 96 et seq.
[55] Ibid., Vol. II, p. 68.
[56] Volume II, Chapter XXVI, pp. 1-36. Cf. also "Freemasonry in Pennsylvania," Vol. I and II, for various references to Col. Procter.
[57] Cf. "Old Lodges," Vol. II, pp. 256 et seq.
"At Grand Lodge held at Concert Hall, Boston, 10th of December, 5792, being a Quarterly Communication it was
"Resolved, That the Grand Master, with the Grand Wardens, present to our Most Beloved Brother
George Washington,
the new Book of Constitutions, with a suitable address."
At the next Quarterly Communication we find that,
"Agreeably to a resolve at the last Quarterly Communication, the Grand Master, with his Wardens, reported:
"That they had written to our beloved President and Brother, George Washington, and presented him with a Book of Constitutions, to which letter he had been pleased to make answer. The letter and answer were read, and Voted to be inserted in the records of the Grand Lodge."
This address was evidently sent to President Washington at Philadelphia, and was answered from the presidential office in that city. No date nor place appears upon either the original so far as known, nor the copy in the letter book, both address and reply therein being in the handwriting of Bartholomew Dandridge, Secretary to the President.
The following copy of both address and reply are taken from Letter Book II, folio 106-108.
"An Address of the Grand Lodge of Free &
"Accepted Masons for the Commonwealth
"of Massachusetts, To their honored and
"Illustrious Brother.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
"Whilst the Historian is describing the
"career of your glory, and the inhabitants
"of an extensive Empire are made happy
"in your unexampled exertions:—whilst some
"celebrate the Hero so distinguished in li-
"berating United America; and others the Patriot
"who presides over her Councils, a Band of bro-
"thers, having always joined the acclamations
"of their countrymen, now testify their res-
"pect for those milder virtues which have
"ever graced the man.
"Taught by the precepts of our Society;
"that all its members stand upon a level, we
"venture to assume this station & to approach
"you with that freedom which diminishes
"our diffidence without lessening our respect.
"Desirous to enlarge the boundaries of
"social happiness, and to vindicate the cere-
"monies of their institution, this Grand Lodge
"have published a "Book of Constitutions," (and
"a copy for your acceptance accompanies
"this) which by discovering the principles that
"actuate will speak the Eulogy of the Society;
"though they fervently wish the conduct of its;
"Members may prove its higher commendation.
"Convinced of his attachment to its
"cause, and readiness to encourage its bene-
"volent designs; they have taken the liberty to
"dedicate this work to one, the qualities of
"whose heart and the actions of whose life
"have contributed to improve personal virtue,
"and extend throughout the world, the most endear-
"ing cordialities; and they humbly hope he will
"pardon this freedom, and accept the tribute of
"their esteem & homage.
"May the supreme architect of the uni-
"verse protect & bless you, give you length of
"days & increase of Felicity in this world, and then
"receive you to the harmonious & exalted So-
"ciety in Heaven.—
| "John Cutler, | Grand Master | |
| "Josiah Bartlett "Mungo Machey | } | Grd Wardens. |
"Boston
"Decem. 27, A.D. 1792."
The following reply was sent by President Washington from Philadelphia to the Brethren of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. It will be noticed that there was no date or place mentioned upon the copy in the Letter Book, nor on the original letter, which at present is believed to be in the Library of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.
Washington's Reply
"To the Grand Lodge of Free & accepted Ma-
"sons, For the Commonwealth of Massachu-
"setts.
"Flattering as it may be to the human
"mind, & truly honorable as it is to receive
"from our fellow citizens testimonies of appro-
"bation for exertions to promote the public wel-
"fare, it is not less pleasing to know, that the
"milder virtues of the heart are highly respected
"by a Society whose liberal principles must be
"founded in the immutable laws of truth and
"justice.—
"To enlarge the sphere of social happi-
"ness is worthy the benevolent design of a ma-
"sonic institution; and it is most fervently to
"be wished, that the conduct of every member
"of the fraternity, as well as those publications
"that discover the principles which actuate them;
"may tend to convince mankind that the grand
"object of Masonry is to promote the happiness
"of the human race.
"While I beg your acceptance of
"my thanks for the "Book of Constitutions" which
"you have sent me, & the honor you have done
"me in the dedication, permit me to assure you
"that I feel all those emotions of gratitude
"which your affectionate address & cordial
"wishes are calculated to inspire; and I
"sincerely pray that the Great Architect
"of the Universe may bless you here, and
"receive you hereafter into his immortal Temple.
Go. Washington
No fac-simile copy of the original letter was obtainable for the Collection of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.
September 18, 1796, President Washington issued his farewell address. His second term was drawing to a close; the term had been a more or less exciting one: The passing of the Neutrality Act; Genet's appeal from the executive to the people; the Fugitive Slave Act; the whiskey insurrection in western Pennsylvania; the adoption of the Eleventh amendment; the purchase of peace from Algiers, Tripoli and Tunis; the troubles with Great Britain about the non-delivery of the military posts and later the Jay Treaty, all came within President Washington's second and last term.[58]
During these troublous times Washington had no stauncher supporters than his Masonic Brethren of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. Further, that Washington kept more or less in touch with his Masonic Brethren of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania is shown by the fact that he attended the services at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, on Third Street below Walnut, on St. John's Day, December 27, 1793, where a charity sermon was preached by Rev. Brother Samuel Magaw, D.D., Vice-Provost of the University of Pennsylvania, before the Grand and Subordinate Lodges for the purpose of increasing the relief fund, for the widows and orphans of the yellow fever epidemic which ravaged the capital city during the past summer.[59]
When the Brethren found that Washington positively declined reëlection in 1796, and that John Adams was elected to succeed him on the fourth of March following, the Brethren of the Grand Lodge at their Quarterly Communication, December 5, 1796, determined that it would be right and proper to present him with an address before his retirement from office, whereupon, it was resolved: "On Motion and seconded, that a Committee be appointed to frame an Address to be presented on the ensuing Feast of St John, Decemr 27th, to the Great Master Workman, our Illustrious Br. Washington, on the occasion of his intended retirement from Public Labor, to be also laid before the said Grand Lodge on St John's Day, and the Rt W. Grand Master, Deputy G. M. Brs Sadler, Milnor and Williams, were accordingly appointed."
At a Grand Lodge held on St. John's Day, Philadelphia, December 27, 5796, "The Committee appointed to prepare an Address to our Brother George Washington, President of the United States, presented an Address by them drawn up, which was ordered to be read, and was in the words following, to wit:
"To George Washington President of The United States.
"The Address of the Grand Lodge of Pennsyl-
"vania.
"Most Respected Sir and Brother,
"Having announced your intention to retire from
"Public Labour to that Refreshment to which your
"preëminent Services for near Half a Century have
"so justly entitled you. Permit the Grand Lodge
"of Pennsylvania at this last Feast of our Evangelic
"Master St. John, on which we can hope for an im-
"mediate Communication with you to join the grate-
"ful Voice of our Country in Acknowledging that
"you have carried forth the Principles of the Lodge
"into every Walk of your Life, by your constant
"Labours for the Prosperity of that Country, by
"your unremitting Endeavours to promote Order,
"Union and Brotherly Affection amongst us, and
"lastly by the Vows of your Farewell Address to
"your Brethren and Fellow Citizens. An Address
"which we trust Our Children and Our Childrens
"Children will ever look upon as a most invaluable
"Legacy from a Friend a Benefactor and a Father.
"To these our grateful Acknowledgments (leav-
"ing to the impartial Pen of History to record the
"important Events in which you have borne so illus-
"trious a part) permit us to add our most fervent
"prayers, that after enjoying to the utmost of
"Human Life, every Felicity which the Terrestial
"Lodge can afford, you may be received by the
"great Master Builder of this World and of Worlds
"unnumbered, into the Ample Felicity of that Celes-
"tial Lodge in which alone distinguished Virtues and
"distinguished Labours can be eternally rewarded.
"By unanimous order of the Grand Lodge of
"Pennsylvania at their communication held the 27th
"Day of December Anno Domini 5796.
Wm Moore Smith
It was then moved and seconded that the same be adopted. Upon the question being taken it appeared that it was approved of. On motion and seconded, it was agreed that a committee be appointed to wait on Brother Washington to acquaint him that it is the intention of this Grand Lodge to present an address to him, and to know what time he shall be pleased to appoint to receive it. The committee appointed to perform this duty were Brothers William Smith, Peter Le Barbier Duplessis and Thomas Procter, who, after having waited on him, reported that he had appointed to-morrow, December 28, 1796, at twelve o'clock to receive it. Said committee, to wit, Brothers W. Smith, Duplessis and Procter, together with Right Worshipful Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, and Junior Wardens, Grand Secretary and the Masters of the different Lodges in the City, were then appointed a Deputation to present the said Address.
This deputation consisted of Right Worshipful Grand Master William Moore Smith, Gavin Hamilton, Deputy Grand Master, Thomas Town, Senior Grand Warden, Thomas Armstrong, Esqr., Junior Grand Warden, George A. Baker, Grand Secretary, John McElwee, Grand Treasurer, and the following Masters of the Philadelphia Lodges, viz.: David Irwin, No. 2, Israel Israel, No. 3, Andrew Nilson No. 9, Eleaser Oswald, No. 19, Cadawalder Griffith, No. 52, Richard E. Cusack, No. 59, Thomas Bradley, No. 67, William Nelson, No. 71; together with the appointed Committee, Brothers William Smith D.D., Le Barbier Duplessis and Thomas Procter.
President Washington received the august deputation of the Brethren at the appointed time; the address was read before him by the Rev. Brother William Smith, D.D., whereupon he returned them a reply. This document, still in the Library of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, is entirely in the handwriting of Washington and signed by him, viz.:
"Fellow-citizens and Brothers,
"of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.
"I have received your address
"with all the feelings of brotherly affection,
"mingled with those sentiments, for the
"Society, which it was calculated to excite.
"To have been, in any degree, an
"instrument in the hands of Providence,
"to promote order and union, and erect upon
"a solid foundation the true principles of
"government, is only to have shared with
"many others in a labour, the result of
"which let us hope, will prove through
"all ages, a sanctuary for brothers and
"a lodge for the virtues,—
"Permit me to reciprocate your
"prayers for my temporal happiness,
"and to supplicate that we may all
"meet thereafter in that eternal temple,
"whose builder is the great architect
"of the Universe.
Go. Washington
Brother William Moore Smith, Right Worshipful Grand Master of Pennsylvania, whose first official act as Grand Master was to head the committee to call on the President, was a son of the Rev. William Smith, D.D., born in Philadelphia, June 1, 1759. He was a lawyer by profession and served as Deputy Grand Master for the year 1795 under the Venerable William Ball, and as Right Worshipful Grand Master for the years 1796-1797. He was appointed by the President as agent for the settlement of claims that were provided for in the Sixth Article of John Jay's Treaty, and visited England in 1803 to close the commission. He died at the Smith Homestead at Falls of Schuylkill, March 12, 1821.
Both the address and reply were copied in Washington's Letter Book III, pp. 244-245, in the handwriting of one of his secretaries, G. W. Craik, a son of Dr. James Craik, Washington's "compatriot in arms, and old and intimate friend," who attended him during his last illness.
Photostat copies of above are in the Library of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, also the original draft of the address, presented to the President (Mss. Volume A, folio 23).
This autograph Masonic letter from Washington to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania has been reproduced in fac-simile, published and circulated (in most cases without the knowledge or consent of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania) more widely than any other known letter of Washington. Some of these copies are treasured by their owners under the impression that they have the original letter. Several cases of this kind have of late come under the notice of the writer. In one case where one of these reproductions was offered for sale, hundreds of dollars were asked for the reproduction, and it was with great difficulty that the owner could be convinced of its character.
Another use made of this letter by unprincipled persons was to make a photo-lithographic copy of the letter, and substitute the name of another state for that of Pennsylvania, and then palm it off upon the authorities of that state as an original letter to their Grand Lodge. The latest case of this kind known to the writer is that of the Grand Lodge of Georgia, who were thus imposed upon.
Then again the letter has been extensively used for advertising purposes by publishing houses of Masonic literature.
The letter has also been printed in most all books bearing upon Masonic history during the revolutionary period.
It was also frequently quoted and criticised during the Anti-Masonic craze which swept over the country some eighty-odd years ago, it being the chief Masonic letter of the five known to the leaders of those misguided persons. The main point of their argument was that it bore no date and therefore was not authentic.
Footnotes:
[58] Cf. The Religious and Social Conditions of Philadelphia, under the Federal Constitution, 1790-1800. Julius F. Sachse, Philadelphia, 1900.
[59] Cf. "Freemasonry in Pennsylvania," before quoted, Vol. II, pp. 190-197; original copy in archives of Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.
Upon pages 244 and 245 of Washington's folio Letter Book No. III in the Library of Congress are recorded a letter and address to Washington from the Master of Alexandria Lodge, No. 22, of Virginia, together with Washington's reply.
Washington and his family had left Philadelphia, Thursday, March 9, 1797, for Mount Vernon, and arrived at Baltimore, Sunday, March 12, and at Mount Vernon, March 15, where he again settled down to the life of a private gentleman, free from the cares and concerns of public life.
March 28, 1797, he was waited on at Mount Vernon by Brothers Dennis Ramsay and Phillip G. Marsteller, and presented with the following letter and address from James Gillies, the Master of Alexandria Lodge, No. 22, of Virginia, viz.:
"AlexA March 28th, 5797.
"Most respected Brother,
"Brother Ramsay & Marsteller wait upon you
"with a copy of an address which has been prepared
"by the unanimous desire of the Ancient York Ma-
"sons of Lodge No. 22. It is their earnest request
"that you will partake of a Dinner with them and
"that you will please appoint the time most conve-
"nient for you to attend.—
"I am most beloved Brother,
"Your Mo. Obt Hble Servt
"James Gillies, M.
"Genl Geo Washington."
The letter was an invitation to dine with the Lodge. This Washington accepted.
"Most respected Brother,
"The ancient York Masons of Lodge No. 22 offer you
"their warmest congratulations on your retire-
"ment from your useful labors. Under the su-
"preme architect of the Universe you have been the
"Master Workman in erecting the Temple of Lib-
"erty in the west, on the broad basis of equal rights.
"In your wise administration of the government of
"the United States for the space of eight years, you
"have kept within the compass of our happy Consti-
"tution and acted on the square with foreign Na-
"tions and thereby preserved your country in peace
"and promoted the prosperity and happiness of your
"fellow Citizens, and now that you have retired from
"the labours of public life to the refreshment of
"domestic tranquility, they ardently pray that you
"may long enjoy all the happiness which the Terres-
"tial Lodge can afford and finally be removed to that
"celestial Lodge where Love, Peace and Harmony
"for ever reign and where cherubims and seraphims
"shall hail you Brother.—
"By the unanimous desire of Lodge
"No. 22
"James Gillies, Master."
"Gen Geo Washington."
Washington attended the meeting of his Lodge at Alexandria, on Saturday, April 1, 1797, when his reply to Brother Gillies' address was read in open Lodge, viz.:
"Brothers of the Ancient York Masons of
Lodge No. 22.
"While my heart acknowledges with Brotherly
"Love, your affectionate congratulations on my re-
"tirement from the arduous toils of past years, my
"gratitude is no less excited by your kind wishes for
"my future happiness.—
"If it has pleased the supreme architect of the
"universe to make me an humble instrument to pro-
"mote the welfare and happiness of my fellow men,
"my exertions have been abundantly recompensed
"by the kind partiality with which they have been
"received; and the assurance you give me of your
"belief that I have acted upon the square in my
"public capacity, will be among my principles en-
"joyments in this Terrestial Lodge.
Go. Washington
After which the Brethren went in procession from their room to Abert's Tavern,[60] where they partook of an "elegant" dinner, following which a number of toasts were offered. The tenth toast was by Brother Washington, "The Lodge at Alexandria, and all Masons throughout the World," after which he returned to Mount Vernon under an escort of mounted troops of the town.[61]
The copies of the letter, address and reply in Washington's Letter Book are in the handwriting of his secretary, Tobias Lear. Photostats of all are in the collection of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. No direct photograph of the original in possession of Alexandria-Washington Lodge, No. 22, was obtainable.
Footnotes:
[60] Abert's Tavern, formerly "John Wise's." Vide p. 35 supra.
[61] Cf. "Washington after the Revolution," W. S. Baker, p. 347.
At a Grand Lodge in Quarterly Communication, held at Concert Hall, Boston, on the evening of March 18, A.L. 5797.
"On motion it was Voted, That a committee be appointed to draft an Address, to be presented to our Illustrious Brother, George Washington, Esq'r, when the M.W. Paul Revere, Grand Master, R.W. John Warren, Rev. Bro. Thaddeus M. Harris, R.W. Josiah Bartlett, Bro. Thomas Edwards, were appointed a committee for that purpose."
In response to above resolution the following address was sent to Brother Washington at Mount Vernon dated Boston, March 21, 5797, viz.:
"The East, the West and the South, of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
To Their Most Worthy George Washington."
"Wishing ever to be foremost in testimonials of respect and admiration for those virtues and services with which you have so long adorned and benefited our common country; and not the last nor least, to regret the cessation of them, in the public councils of the Union; your Brethren of the Grand Lodge embrace the earliest opportunity of greeting you in the calm retirement you have contemplated to yourself. Though as citizens they lose you in the active labors of political life, they hope, as Masons, to find you in the pleasing sphere of Fraternal engagement.
"From the cares of state and the fatigues of public business our institution opens a recess affording all the relief of tranquility, the harmony of peace and the refreshment of pleasure. Of these may you partake in all their purity and satisfaction; and we will assure ourselves that your attachment to this social plan will increase; and that under the auspices of your encouragement, assistance and patronage, the Craft will attain its highest ornament, perfection and praise. And it is our ardent prayer, that when your light shall be no more visible in this earthly temple, you may be raised to the All Perfect Lodge above; be seated on the right of the Supreme Architect of the Universe, and there receive the refreshment your labors merited.
"In behalf of the Grand Lodge, we subscribe ourselves with the highest esteem,
"Your affectionate Brethren,
"Paul Revere, Grand Master.
"Isaiah Thomas, S. Grand Warden.
"Joseph Laughton, J. Grand Warden.
"Daniel Oliver, Grand Secretary,
"Boston, 21st March, 5797."
For some unaccountable reason the delivery of the address was delayed and not received at Mount Vernon until late in April. The original draft of Washington's reply to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in his own handwriting and signature as well as an autograph note of apology for the seeming delay to Grand Master Paul Revere and his officers dated Mount Vernon, April 24, 1797, are in the Manuscript Department in the Library of Congress, viz.:
"To Paul Revere Grand Master, Isaiah
"Thomas Senior Grand Warden and
"Joseph Laughton Junr Grand Warden.
"Brothers,
"I am sorry that the en-
"closed answer to the affectionate address
"of the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and
"Accepted Masons, of the Commonwealth
"of Massachusetts transmitted under your
"signatures, should appear so much out
from
"of season; but ^ the lapse of time between
"the date & reception of the address (from
"what cause I know not) it was not to be
"avoided, and is offered as an apology, for
"the delay. With brotherly affection
"I am always yours,
Go. Washington
"Mount Vernon,
24th April 1797."
Following is a copy of Washington's original draft of his reply to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. It is written upon two pages of a letter sheet entirely in his handwriting and signed by him.
"To the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free &
"Accepted Masons, of the Commonwealth
"of Massachusetts.
"Brothers,
"It was not until within
"these few days that I have been favoured by
"the receipt of your affectionate Address
"dated in Boston the 21st of March
"For the favourable sentiments
"you have been pleased to express on the
"occasion of my past services, and for the
"regrets with which they are accompani-
"ed for the cessation of my public functions,
"I pray you to accept my best acknowledg-
"ments and gratitude.—
"No pleasure, except that wch
"results from a consciousness of having, to
"the utmost of my abilities, discharged,
"the trusts which have been reposed in
"me by my Country, can equal the satis
"faction I feel from the unequivocal proofs
"I continually receive of its approbation
"of my public conduct, and I beg you to be
"assured that the evidence thereof which
"is exhibited by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts
"is not among the least pleasing, or grate
"ful to my feelings.—
"In that retirement which decli-
"ning years induced me to seek, and which
"repose, to a mind long employed in pub-
"lic concerns, rendered necessary, my wish
"es that bounteous Providence will conti-
"nue to bless & preserve our country in
"Peace & in the prosperity it has enjoyed, will
"be warm & sincere; and my attachment
"to the Society of which we are members
"will dispose me always, to contribute my best
"endeavours to promote the honor &
"interest of the Craft.—
"For the prayer you offer in
"my behalf I entreat you to accept the
"thanks of a grateful heart; with the as-
"surance of fraternal regard and best
"wishes for the honor, happiness & prospe-
"rity of all the members of the Grand Lodge
"of Massachusetts.
Go. Washington
The original letter is said to be in possession of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. No photographic fac-simile of the document, however, could be obtained.