mber 5-6, 1832," p. 23.

[12] For a full account of this episode, see "Freemasonry in
Pennsylvania," Barratt and Sachse, Philadelphia, 1908, Vol. 1, Chapter
XII; "WASHINGTON as General Grand Master," p. 393 _et seq._

I

CORRESPONDENCE WITH WATSON & CASSOUL, NANTES, FRANCE, AUGUST, 1782.

The earliest letter of General GEORGE WASHINGTON of Masonic Import known
is the one written while in camp at Newburgh in New York, dated State of
New York, August 10, 1782, to the firm of Watson and Cassoul in Nantes,
France, in which his friend, Brother Elkanah Watson was the chief
partner, thanking the firm for the Masonic Apron and ornaments sent him
from Nantes, France.

This apron is now in the possession of the Alexandria-Washington Lodge,
No. 22, at Alexandria, Virginia.

Elkanah Watson in his Memoirs states:[13]

"Wishing to pay some mark of respect to our beloved Washington, I
employed, in conjunction with my friend M. Cossoul, nuns in one of
the convents at Nantes to prepare some elegant Masonic ornaments,
and gave them a plan for combining the American and French Flags on
the apron designed for this use. They were executed in a superior
and expensive style. We transmitted them to America, accompanied by
an appropriate address."

By the above extract is shown beyond all doubt the error in the
statement so repeatedly made, that the apron at Alexandria is the one
made by the Marquise de Lafayette, and presented to WASHINGTON by
General Lafayette, during his visit to Mount Vernon in 1784, and the one
in the Museum of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, that of Watson and
Cassoul.[14]

Following letter was sent to WASHINGTON, together with the Masonic Apron
and "Ornaments," by Messrs. Watson and Cassoul, from France under date
"east of Nantes," 23d 1st Month, 5782.[15]

"TO HIS EXCELLENCY, GENERAL WASHINGTON, AMERICA.

"_Most Illustrious and Respected Brother:_

"In the moment when all Europe admire and feel the effects of your
glorious efforts in support of American liberty, we hasten to offer
for your acceptance a small pledge of our homage. Zealous lovers of
liberty and its institutions, we have experienced the most refined
joy in seeing our chief and brother stand forth in its defence, and
in defence of a newborn nation of Republicans.

"Your glorious career will not be confined to the protection of
American liberty, bu