her 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.

WASHIN