Early History Of Freemasonry In America.

are wanted among you , please hint it to me . " [ Address upon said letter ] "To Mr . Henry Price , " At the Brazen Head , " Boston , N . E . "

The original copies of these letters Avere in existence until April 6 , 1864 —ten 3 * ears ago—when they Avere destroyed at the burning of the Winthrop House , Boston . But many exact copies of them had previously been made , and their authenticity is not doubted . *

J he points' made by Franklin are these : He has seen it stated in the Boston prints , that Price ' s original deputation and poAver as Provincial G . M . of New England , in August , 1734 , Avas extended by the Grand Lodge of

England , and he Avas constituted G . M . of all America . He asks for evidence of both Deputations , and adds that the Pennsylvania Masons desire to have their present privileges , of holding annually their Grand Lodge , confirmed ,

their G . M . only yielding his chair Avhen the G . M . of all America shall be present . He also mentions some false brethren Avho are about to set up a clandestine Lodge in Philadelphia , and he desires that the true brethren may he recognized by the newly-appointed G . M . of all America . He signs his name officially to both letters , as Grand Master .

Now it will be remembered , that in the matter of the Petition of 1768 , from the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts to the Grand Lodge of England , asking the appointment of Eowe " " to be G . M . of Masons for North America" ( quoted

above ) , the Deputation granted in respouse , only appointed " Eowe to be " Provincial Grand Master for all North America , and the territories thereunto belonging where no Provincial Grand Master is in being . " This ivas right and proper . In every probability Price ' s second deputation Avas precisely of this character , and his authority Avas not

* Sworn copies of these letters appear in the Massachusetts G . L . Proceedings for 1871 , p . 350-7 ; the first letter may also be found in Hyueman's " World ' s Masonic Register . " pp . 354-5 .

extended over Pennsylvania , Avhere a Provincial G . M . had been theretofore constituted . But , the reader wiR naturally ask : " Whence did the brethren in Pennsylvania obtain authority to establish a

Provincial Grand Lodge in the year 1732 , or prior to that date , and by Avhat Masonic power Avere the ' several lodges of Freemasons which Avere in existence on Dec . 28 , 1730 , ' warranted ? " The answer is easy .

On June 5 , 1730 , His Grace , Thomas , Duke of Norfolk , Grand Master of tlie Free and Accepted Masons of England , upon the application of Daniel Cox , of NBAV Jersey , and several other brethren residing in NBAV YorkNBAV Jersey ,

, and Pennsylvania , granted a deputation to the said Daniel Cox , constituting him Provincial Grand Master of the provinces of New York , NBAV Jersey , and Pennsylvania . This Deputation , IIOAV on record in the Freemasons' Hall ,

London , is most important in this connection , and reads as follows : *—" Sic Subscribitur ,

( L . S . ) "NOIiFOLK , G . M . "To all and every our R . W ., AVorshipful and Loving BrethrenIIOAV

re-, siding , or Avho may hereafter reside , in the provinces of NBAV York , New Jersey , and Pennsylvania , His Grace , Thomas , Duke of Norfolk , Earl Marshall and Hereditary Marshall of England , & c , & c , Chief of the illustrious

family of the Howards , Grand Master of the Free and Accepted Masons of England , Sendeth Greeting , " Whereas application has been made unto us by our Right Worshipful and lvell-beloved BrotherDaniel Coxof

, , NCAV Jersey , Esq ., and by several other Brethren , Free and Accepted Masons , residing and about to reside in the said provinces of New York , New Jersey , and Pennsylvania , that he Avould be