VERMONT. The following report was submitted to the Convention held at Burlington in January, 1846, to consult on the expediency of a general revival of Masonry in the State. To the Masonic Convention now in session at Burlington: The undersigned, a committee appointed by your body, on the present state of Masonry in Vermont, have attended to the business of their appointment, and beg leave to Report,-that they find, that in many of the Lodges under this jurisdiction, all meetings of work have ceased, since the year 1836, but that several of the Lodges have kept up their meetings, and some of them have continued to work, and that representatives from a respectable number of Lodges are now present. Upon investigating the situation of the Grand Lodge, we find, that, by a clause in the Constitution of the 14th of October, 5794, it was provided, that the Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge, in default of a regular annual election, hold their offices until new officers are chosen. The last election of Grand Officers was on the 13th of January, 5836, and at that time, the by-laws were amended, so as to institute biennial instead of annual meetings, and authorizing the Grand Officers, when Secular Lodges should not be represented, to make regular adjournments of said Grand Lodge. Under this by-law, a quorum of the Grand Officers have regularly adjourned the biennial communications of the Grand Lodge up to the present time. It is the opinion of this committee, that the Grand Lodge has, by this course of proceedings, retained its proper Masonic organization, and that its officers are now masonically competent to open the Grand Lodge, and so amend the by-laws thereof, as to restore such Lodges as have forfeited their Charters, or such as it may be expedient to restore, and in all things properly conduct the Masonic Institution of Vermont, intrusted to their care ; and your committee respectfully recommend, that the Grand Officers do now open the Grand Lodge, and proceed to the discharge of their duties, as the interests of the institution may require. All which is respectfully submitted. PHILIP C. TUCKER, SAMUEL S. Butler, Committee. JOHN BRAINARD, JAMES PLATT, ANTHONY J. HASWELL, On motion, voted, that the report be accepted, which report was subsequently unanimously adopted. The following is the address of the Grand Master at the opening of the Grand Lodge in January last: MY BRETHREN: Another year has been added to the lengthened period of our Masonic existence, and this Grand Lodge again convenes to discharge the important trusts confided to it. While with gratitude we acknowledge the protection of the Supreme Architect of the Universe, vouchsafed to our Institution, let us continue to rest our hopes in that Great Light in Masonry,--the inestimable gift of God to man, as it will direct our steps in the paths of truth; and, as it ever has done, will continue to prove a "cloud by day" and "pillar of fire by night" in guiding us in our Masonic, moral and religious duties. Nothing, my Brethren, has occurred since our last annual meeting, requiring me to make a special communication at this time, and it is not my intention to open our labors by a lengthy address. I cannot, however, refrain from expressing the satisfaction I feel, in being able to state, that our Institution is arousing from its slumbers, invigorated and strengthened by a long sleep, into which it was forced by a watchful and jealous community. In thus awakening to new Masonic life-if we cannot forget, let us forgive those who have spoken all manner of evil against us; and, gathering together our wandering Brethren, if any of them, too, have erred, or injured us, let us forgive, as we hope to be forgiven for the many errors we may have committed;-above all, let no occasion be given by the Fraternity in this section of our Masonic vineyard, to foster or keep alive any prejudices or heart burnings which may exist against us-but let us do all in our power to allay them. Let us neither deface nor lose sight of those important land-marks, established and handed down from remote generations;-they do not consist of oaths. Our obligations are none other than those of honorable men-bound to be peaceable citizens, and who are cheerfully to conform to the laws of the country in which we may live. The law of honor, found in the breast of every true Mason, is more binding than any oath that could be administered to him, and is a sufficient land-mark to guide him in his Masonic obligations and duties. The authority given by this body to the Secular Lodges under its jurisdiction, empowering them to resume their labors, or surrender their charter, records, &c., may not have been sufficiently promulgated to bring this notice home to them. I therefore recommend that further liberty be given the Lodges by extending this privilege to our next annual meeting, when it is hoped there will be found sufficient living Masonry in them, to see the propriety of resuming their work or sending in their charter, records, &c., that they may be placed in safe keeping, among the archives of this Grand Lodge, until a proper occasion shall call for their restoration. The publication of the annual proceedings of this Grand Lodge is essentially necessary, and it is hoped measures will be adopted at our present session to have them laid before our Brethren, that they may be advised of our continued organization, and be the means of restoring an intercommunication with Foreign Grand Lodges, which the peculiar state of our Institution in Vermont has for years past interrupted. Very few communications have been received from Foreign Grand Lodges during the past year; such as have come to my knowledge will be referred to the appropriate committee. The indebtedness of this Grand Lodge, as reported at our last annual meeting, amounting to eightyone dollars and fortyseven cents, I have caused to be paid, and the debt has been kindly and Masonically assumed by Washington Lodge and Burlington Chapter, to be hereafter refunded to them by this body. Having brought to your notice these few subjects, others no doubt of importance will be suggested in your deliberations. It only remains for me, to tender to you and the Lodges you represent, my grateful thanks for your Masonic fidelity, and for the support you have given me, during the long period I have had the honor to preside over this Grand Lodge. If in the gloomy period through which we have passed, our proceedings or labors shall reflect any honor on Masonry in Vermont, it will be owing to the firm, steady, and undeviating course you have pursued, adhering to the principles which have for centuries past and will for centuries to come, stand the test of time. I could not feel it my duty to shrink from the responsible station you placed me in, when days of adversity came upon us, but now, as I trust, more prosperous ones are dawning, and brighter lights are in the midst and around us, I embrace this occasion to signify my wish to be no longer considered a candidate for the Oriental Chair. In the language of another, I can say, that within these sacred walls, I have endeavored to unite with you in strengthening our Mystic ties-and this sacred retreat of Friendship has constituted many of the sunny spots of an existence, which has not passed without some trials, where the "heart knoweth its own bitterness." I can look back with pride and satisfaction on the past, even amid the regrets which such recollections or review presents,-satisfaction that your arm, as well as mine, has been strengthened and nerved for the perilous contest through which we were destined to pass ;-regret that many Brethren who once labored with us, have gone to their final account, and cannot be here to participate in our joystheirs, let us trust, are of a more enduring nature, in those realms of light where the Grand Master of the Universe presides, and where the WORK of the good and true Mason, can only pass the GRAND OVERSEER'S SQUARE. NATHAN B. HASWELL, G. M. MASONIC СНІ We acknowledge the receipt of sundry | documents from Brethren in South Carolina, who feel themselves aggrieved by the action of the Grand Lodge of that State, in relation to themselves and the Lodge of which they were recently members. They are sent to us for publication. This, for more reasons than we have time at present to give, we must decline doing. We shall always be happy to oblige our Brethren, in all proper ways; but we cannot consent to interfere in the local differences which may and will occasionally spring up between Lodges and individuals, and between both and Grand Lodges, unless there is a manifest and dangerous departure from the constitutions and usages of the Order. GENERAL GRAND LODGE.-The Convention to take into consideration the expediency, and, if affirmatively decided, to report a plan and constitution for the organization of a General Grand Lodge, is proposed to be held at the city of Baltimore, on Thursday, the 23d instant, and we understand that our Maryland friends will be in readiness to receive the delegates of such Grand Lodges as have voted to be represented. It is impossible to say what number of delegates will attend, but we believe that about half the active Grand Lodges in the country have approved of the measure of holding the convention; and it is to be much regretted that all are not to be represented; because the question could then be definitely settled, one way or the other. "The Port Folio, or Journal of Freemasonry and General Literature," is the title of a new periodical just started by Bro. Wilkins Tannehill, at Nashville, Tenn. The first number is well got up, and we shall be happy to learn that the work meets with suc cess. The "National Polish Lodge," composed entirely of natives of Poland, was constituted at London, on the 17th June. It is to work in the English language and ritual. The late festivals of the four great Masonic Charities in England, were eminently productive. The Boys' Festival, in aid of the school for the sons of deceased Masons, produced nearly £600; that of the Girls, (in aid of a similar school,) nearly £1200; the Benevolent Annuity Festival, (in aid of poor Brethren,) nearly £300; and that for the Asylum for Aged and Decayed Freemasons, £500,-in all, upwards of £3000! These festivals were all held in the city of London, and within a few weeks of each other. Is not Masonry doing some good? The Lodge of Benevolence, at Sherborne, Eng, on the 11th May, presented a loaf of bread to each of the heads of one hundred poor families in the town,-being the produce of one-third of the receipts of lectures delivered by Dr. Wolff at that place. The other two-thirds have been forwarded in equal sums, to the Grand Masters of Scotland and Ireland. The fourth chapter on the "Study of Masonic Antiquities," will be commenced in the first number of the ensuing volume. We have preferred to delay its publication a couple of months, rather than to divide it between the closing and opening volumes. Brethren who propose to add their names to the list of our present subscribers, for the ensuing volume, are requested to do which time the new volume begins. Our so prior to the first of November next, at agents will oblige us by calling the attention of their respective Lodges to the subject. The late Daniel O'Connell, the great Irish agitator, was initiated into Masonry, in Lodge 189, at Dublin, in the year 1799, and filled the chair as Master in 1800. He was subsequently, through the influence of the Romish Church, induced to renounce the Institution, and was expelled by the Grand Lodge of Ireland. Hibernia Lodge, St. John's, N. B., has contributed £30 for the relief of their Brethren in Ireland. The subscriptions are progressing for the proposed new Masonic Hall, in London. The distinguished Dr CHALMERS, Of Scotland, recently deceased, was a Mason. ROYAL ARCH MASONRY IN LOUISIANA. We have been politely furnished with a copy of a pamphlet purporting to be the report of a special committee to a "collection of persons" styling themselves the "Sov.. Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Louisiana." The committee say, they were "appointed for the purpose of ascertaining what measures, affecting the interest and standing of this Grand Chapter, had been adopted by the General Grand Chapter, at its last sitting." The following paragraphs will sufficiently indicate the conclusions to which their inquiries have led them : "It has generally been taken for granted, by the Companions here, that this Grand Chapter had been declared by the General G. Chapter, on that occasion, to be illegal, and without authority to govern the Chapters of this State." * * * * * "But your Committee having within the last few days, procured a copy of the proceedings [of the G. G. Chapter, at its session in 1844,] they have discovered with pleasure, that the General Grand Chapter had not gone quite so far as was supposed; and that no decree or declaration of that body that this Grand Chapter had been 'legally dissolved,' or that it was repudiated by that high Masonic authority, ever was made, or emanated from the said General Grand Chapter; and in support of this assertion, your committee refer to the before mentioned pamphlet, which gives us the whole of the proceedings in this matter, duly certified by the General Grand Secretary." The report occupies eight pages, and is a remarkable document. It is in no sense creditable to its authors; nor is it possible that it can be made to produce any other than a prejudicial effect upon the persons whose interests it is intended to subserve. We are not disposed to criticise it; because misrepresentation is not entitled to that respect. It is difficult to conceive why it was written at all, and much more so why it was ever published. If the object of its authors were to deceive still further those whom they have already wronged by assuming to confer privileges over which they have no lawful control, they may perhaps succeed to some extent, and for a limited time; but if they expected, through misrepresentation and sophistry, to enlist for themselves the sympathies of the Grand Chapters of other States, and thus to avert the effect of the decision of the General Grand Chapter against them, they will certainly meet with disappointment. The highest tribunal in Royal Arch Masonry, in the United States, has, by unanimous action, declared them to be an irregular and unlawful body; and under this decision they must rest, until relieved by the proper authorities, and in a constitutional manner. And any Royal Arch Mason, owning allegiance to the General Grand Chapter, who acknowledges or holds intercourse with them, lays himself open to suspension or expulsion, the former of which penalties has been visited and still rests upon the chairman of the committee who make the report under consideration! As already remarked, we are not disposed to criticise the report. It may be safely left to work out its own condemnation, as it most assuredly. will that of its authors. We give the following extract from the report adopted by the General Grand Chapter in 1844, for the information of such of our readers as may not have seen the proceedings of that body in relation to the matter: "In the year, 1841, the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana, by direction of the Grand Master, issued notices to certain Royal Arch Masons in the city of New Orleans, to assemble and elect Grand Officers, with a view to a re-organization of the Grand Chapter of the State. This meeting did not take place. Another, however, was soon after called, of which the High Priest of Holland Chapter, and three of his subordinate officers were notified. At this meeting, the usual Grand Officers were elected, and a body styling itself the Grand Chapter of Louisiana, was organized. It is proper to state, that from the testimony before your committee, it appears that Comp. Henry, High Priest of Holland Chapter, was not present at the election which took place as above mentioned, nor can your committee ascertain that there was any Companion present, who was entitled to vote in an election of Grand Officers. A few days subsequently to this, Comp. Henry received official notice from Comp. Duboyle, as Grand Secretary of the Grand Chapter of Louisiana,' notifying Holland Chapter of the organization of said body, and requiring its returns and dues from 1832 to 1838, inclusive. Against this demand, Holland Chapter protested, and asked for the evidence of the legality of the organization of the body making it. This was refused, and Holland Chapter declined to recognize its authority. On this state of the case, the body assuming to be a Grand Chapter, immediately proceeded to revoke the Charter of Holland Chapter, and to expel its High Priest, Comp. Cotton Henry, and its Secretary, Comp. C. D. Lehman. Against this expulsion, Comp. Lehman appeals to this General Grand Chapter; having, on 24th July last, served the reputed Grand Chapter with the usual notice of his intention. And it is in evidence, that on this notice being served on the alleged Grand Chapter, the High Priest of that body, in his place and in open Chapter, declared that they did not acknowledge any other body, and were independent of the General Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the United States.' Such is a brief statement of the facts in the case, as they are represented to your committee; from which it appears, that the body formed in 1813, as a Grand Royal Arch Chapter for the State of Louisiana, voluntarily surrendered its independent jurisdiction, if any it possessed, and enrolled itself under this General |