[28] _Vide_ "The Jews and Masonry in the United States," by Samuel
Oppenheim, New York, 1810, p. 22 _et seq._

[29] Cf. "Catalogue of the Washington Collection in the Boston
Athenaeum," Boston, 1897, p. 331.

[30] Letterbook II, p. 29.

[31] Cf. "Washington after the Revolution," W. S. Baker, Philadelphia,
1898, p. 192.

[32] Cf. _Pennsylvania Packet_, August 30-31 1790.

[33] Copy of Address in Letter Book II, pp. 27-28, Photostat of same in
Archives of Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.

V

CORRESPONDENCE WITH ST. JOHN'S LODGE, NO. 2 AT NEWBERN, N. C., APRIL,
1791.

The next Masonic letter of President WASHINGTON was written, in answer
to an address by the brethren of St. John's Lodge, No. 2, at Newbern,
North Carolina, during his southern tour in 1791.

April 7, 1791, WASHINGTON started on a tour through the Southern States,
by way of Fredericksburg, Richmond, and Petersburg, Virginia; Halifax,
Tarborough, Newbern, and Wilmington, North Carolina; Georgetown, and
Charleston, South Carolina; and Savannah, Georgia.

When advice of this proposed presidential visit reached Newbern, the
brethren of St. John's Lodge, No. 2,[34] at the stated meeting held on
April 1, 1791, passed the following resolution. "_Resolved_, that an
address shall be presented to Brother GEORGE WASHINGTON, in behalf of
this Lodge, on his arriving in this town."[35]

Upon his arrival at Newbern, N. C., April 20, following address was
presented to the President,[36] which, together with the reply, has thus
far never been in print or noted:

"TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA.

"The Address of St Johns Lodge No. 2 of
Newbern.

"_Right Worshipful Sir_,

"We the Master, Officers, and Members of St.
"Johns Lodge No 2, of Newbern, beg leave to hail
"you welcome with three times three.

"We approach you not with the language of
"adulation, but sincere fraternal affection--your
"works having proved you to be the true and faith-
"ful brother, the skilful and expert Craftsman, the
"just and upright man, But the powers of elo-
"quence are too feeble to express with sufficient
"energy the cordial warmth with which our bosoms
"glow toward you.

"We therefore most ardently wish, most fervently
"and devoutly pray, That the Providence of the
"most high may strengthen, establish, and protect
"you, in your walk thr