The New Masonic Hall At Philadelphia.

in which this passage occurs : " Having perused your book of Constitutions , wo reflect with pleasure that tho Grand Lodge of England has given birth to a Grand Lodge in tho Western World , whose strict adherence to the ancient and immutable

landmarks of our Order reflects honor on its original founders . " * * * We conceive that in constituting your Grand Lodge we necessarily communicated to it the same independent sovereign Masonic authority within your jurisdiction , which we

ourselves possessed within ours , amenable to no superior jurisdiction under heaven , and subject only to the immutable landmarks of the Order , — aU Grand Lodges in Masonry being necessarily free , independent and

equipollent within their respective jurisdictions , which consequently excluded the idea of subjoction to any foreign authority or the establishment of an impermm in imperio . It having , however , pleased tho

Almighty Architect of the Universe to erect tho Province of Pennsylvania into a sovereign State , we coincide with you in opinion that it became expedient to remove

those doubts which either had or might bo entertained by tho uninformed upon that point by declaring in the most explicit manner tho independence of tho Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania , the full and ample authority of which , limited only by tho

unchangeable landmarks of tho system , as it cannot bo increased , so neither can it ever be diminished by political changes or revolution . " General Washington was inaugurated

President of the United States on the 30 th April , 1789 , in the city of New York , tho oath of office being administered to him by Chancellor Bobert B . Livingstone , then Grand Master of New York . After his

inauguration our Grand Lodge presented an address to liim , to which lie sent a fraternal reply . His second term was drawing to a close he had announced his purpose to retire to

private life . On the 5 th December , 1796 , at an Extra Grand Communication , a committee was appointed to " form an address to be presented on the ensuing Feast of St . John , December 27 th , to the Great Master Workman , our illustrious Brother

Washington , on the occasion of his intended retirement from public labours . " The addross , as reported , was adopted and presented . It began with these words : — - " Most Bespected Sir and

Brother—Having announced your intention to retire from public labour to that refreshment , to which your pre-eminent services for nearly half a century have so justly entitled you .

Permit tho Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania at this last Feast of our Evangelic Master , St . John , on which we can hope for an immediate communication with you , to join the grateful voice of our country in acknowledging that you have carried forth tho

principles of tho 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 . " It elicited the following reply : " 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 tho 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 ,

lot 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 Ave may all meet hereafter in that